M1903 Springfield Dilemma

[purple]

I recently located 2 NOS M1903 barrels made by Springffield Armory and High Standard, both dated 1944 and quite expensive, but the real thing.

As pointed out, the more common 03A3 barrels will work on a M1903 as the threads are identical, but you must turn down the barrel OD over the chamber in order to install the rear sight sleeve. You also need to replace the 03A3 front sight band/mount with one made for the M1903. It's kind of a PITA to do this right. The rear sight bases are quite fragile and care must be taken when driving them on so that they are not deformed in the process.

 

[buffdog]

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There were also barrels made for the Springfield and the Model 1917 Enfield during WW2 by High Standard and Crandall. Crandall made the Johnson, and the barrel on the Johnson was of similar profile to the Springfield, so it would have been fairly easy for them to make Springfield replacement barrels.
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[eos]

Given that the rifle has undergone at least one rebuild already and probably more I don't think the value would be anything but enhanced by replacing the existing barrel (if it's really wretched) by a better original. Many, many 03's were rebarreled for WWII and are still prime collectibles.

I have an 03a1 still wearing it's less than perfect but original 1930 dated barrel. Shoots quite well and so I chose to keep it the way it is. Likewise, I have a completely original RIA 1918 date that has a pretty bad bore and chose not to rebarrel rather than detract from it's originality.

 

[albayo]

This is what a previous owner did to a low serial number 03.
He used a 1922 barrel and bolt to build a single shot .22 Cal rifle.
I don't know where I can get the parts to make it a repeater. I purchased a magazine last year and am searching for the rest.