WIW 1903 Springfield

[collector67]

Hi all,
A buddy of mine has had this ‘03 for a number of years, and asked me if I could post a query to the knowledgeable members of CGN about value and any other information pertaining to it. (I’m more of a fan of European weaponry, don’t know a lot about US stuff). He was told that it was issued to a Marine on Guadalcanal, I’m a bit sceptical about that, but it does appear to be a nice rifle!
Many thanks in advance!

 

[Claven2]

Nice '03, but realistically, us servicemen did NOT get to keep their rifles at war's end.

You know the story - gramps tells junior that this rifle is just like the one he had in "whatever place/battle", and through the retelling, it becomes family lore that it was this specific rifle.

If the bore is nice on that one, you;re looking at $1500-2000 as it sits.

 

[R005t3r]

Hi all,
A buddy of mine has had this ‘03 for a number of years, and asked me if I could post a query to the knowledgeable members of CGN about value and any other information pertaining to it. (I’m more of a fan of European weaponry, don’t know a lot about US stuff). He was told that it was issued to a Marine on Guadalcanal, I’m a bit skeptical about that, but it does appear to be a nice rifle!
Many thanks in advance!

Well technically, it is of European design. Mauser did win the lawsuit.
I concur with Claven2's valuation.

 

[grelmar]

Nice '03, but realistically, us servicemen did NOT get to keep their rifles at war's end.

You know the story - gramps tells junior that this rifle is just like the one he had in "whatever place/battle", and through the retelling, it becomes family lore that it was this specific rifle.

If the bore is nice on that one, you;re looking at $1500-2000 as it sits.

This. When buying antiques/vintage anything, the old saying goes "Buy the item, not the story."

 

[slug]

The rear sight windage knob has been knocked a bit, which is quite common. However, this one looks like it still functions.
It is in pretty nice shape otherwise. If the bore is good, I think $1500 is reasonable.

 

[fingers284]

That rifle way very well have been issued to someone on Guadalcanal. It was common for back line personnel (cooks, logistics, drivers etc) to be issued the 03's. This provided more Garand's & Carbines to be available for the troops that needed them the most.

 

[can14]

Remington made them in WW2

 

[Claven2]

That rifle way very well have been issued to someone on Guadalcanal. It was common for back line personnel (cooks, logistics, drivers etc) to be issued the 03's. This provided more Garand's & Carbines to be available for the troops that needed them the most.

It could well have been. But gramps would not have kept his rifle from posting to posting, let alone when he left the service.

 

[The Wizard]

That rifle way very well have been issued to someone on Guadalcanal. It was common for back line personnel (cooks, logistics, drivers etc) to be issued the 03's. This provided more Garand's & Carbines to be available for the troops that needed them the most.

The front line Marines that landed on Guadalcanal were all armed with M1903 rifles. The Marines did not adopt the M1 rifle until 1940 and the army had first dibs on the M1 production so the Marines, who always get the short end of the stick, did not start getting M1 until after Guadalcanal.

 

[collector67]

Thanks for the replies guys! He was surprised at the value, but he has no intentions of selling it. (Can’t say that I blame him)

 

[Mike Webb]

Friend of mine owns a 1918 production Springfield Armoury rifle. It has barrel marking 08/18 but oddly is stamped RCAF in the stock. Obviously WW2 issue but still a rare bird.

 

[QM 8687]

The front line Marines that landed on Guadalcanal were all armed with M1903 rifles. The Marines did not adopt the M1 rifle until 1940 and the army had first dibs on the M1 production so the Marines, who always get the short end of the stick, did not start getting M1 until after Guadalcanal.

Yep September 1942, last large U.S. unit use of the 1903 rifle. That we know of.

 

[Military Surplus Lover]

Very nice looking 1903. I have a 1918 Rock Island 1903 in excellent condition and I paid 1700 for it a few years ago. If it has a good bore I’d say it’s valued between 2000 to 2500. 1903s don’t seem to pop up often in good condition.