RCAF Marked 1903 Springfield

[Mike Webb]

Took a few pics of my friends 03 Springfield. He's had it some time, wood was really dirty and oil soaked, no major damage. Original 1918 barrel with excellent bore which isn't common for WW1 rifles. Sent it to Vulcan Arms and I think they did a beautiful job cleaning it up. Recently found an original C Broadarrow marked box of 30/06 ball ammo that was made for M1917 and 03 Springfield rifles used by the RCAF.

 

[Dosing]

Nice rifle, great condition.

 

[tiriaq]

What do you mean by "cleaning it up"?

 

[Mike Webb]

Boiled the stock, steamed out dents. Rifle had 4 holes for side mount in left side rail. Plugged and welded holes, complete refinish of metal. Repair is invisible both outside and inside the action. No longer original condition but imo looks fantastic especially without the swiss cheese action. Action was reheat treated after repairs.

 

[tiriaq]

With that serial number and barrel date, it would have been one of the rifles with "double heat treated" receiver and bolt. Do you have any idea what re-heat treating process was used?

 

[Mike Webb]

No, but it was done outside of Vulcan.

 

[tiriaq]

The receiver and bolt were made of low carbon WD1325 steel. The Springfield heat treating process used on this rifle and bolt was a controlled temperature case hardening process. Hard skin, soft core. I assume the heat treater was aware of how Springfields were heat treated, and duplicated the process on this 105 year old receiver.

 

[Light Infantry]

What do you mean boiled the stock

 

[Mike Webb]

Nick told me they boil the wood to clean it. Don't know what in, assuming just water. Whatever, came out nice. I was told action went to metallurgist. They do a lot of work on Springfields and Garands at Vulcan. Have to assume they know what they're doing.

 

[Mike Webb]

The receiver and bolt were made of low carbon WD1325 steel. The Springfield heat treating process used on this rifle and bolt was a controlled temperature case hardening process. Hard skin, soft core. I assume the heat treater was aware of how Springfields were heat treated, and duplicated the process on this 105 year old receiver.

Much like Mausers, glass hard on surface, tough and flexible inside.

 

[tiriaq]

Yes, that is why the earlier Springfields had smoother actions than the later ones made using nickel steel.

 

[Mike Webb]

Drilled and tapped several German made mausers for receiver sights and scopes. Nice to have a small carbide drill to break that skin. Steel underneath cuts like butter with sharp drills and taps.

 

[Light Infantry]

Not to derail but I am interested in the boiling part. I have thought of doing this in the past but thought I would ruin the wood. Anyone do this. Take a stock submerge it in boiling water to clean and extract dirt grime and oil. If so for how long etc etc.

Very curious.

 

[Mike Webb]

Nick said they boiled this one twice to get it clean. It's looks arsenal new now.

 

[DiMP]

Not to derail but I am interested in the boiling part. I have thought of doing this in the past but thought I would ruin the wood. Anyone do this. Take a stock submerge it in boiling water to clean and extract dirt grime and oil. If so for how long etc etc.

Very curious.

Also curious since I bought a DP SMLE and sporter SMLE for a winter project

 

[slug]

Very nice!

 

[pcvando]

Sorry to say, but that RCAF marking is fake.

 

[Mike Webb]

It was on there before refinish. Maybe tweaked by Vulcan after wood work but not fake.

 

[Joe Amorosi]

Sorry to say, but that RCAF marking is fake.

I have a small tack hammer with that same RCAF stamp and broad arrow on the handle

 

[Lee Enfield]

Boiled the stock, steamed out dents. Rifle had 4 holes for side mount in left side rail. Plugged and welded holes, complete refinish of metal. Repair is invisible both outside and inside the action. No longer original condition but imo looks fantastic especially without the swiss cheese action. Action was reheat treated after repairs.

http://1903.over-blog.com/article-330799.html

I hope you did some research first?