Description
Early 1903 (not 1903 A3) Springfield Armoury & one of only 64,040 made in 1914!
Adopted in 1903 as a replacement for the .30-40 Krag-Jorgensen bolt-action rifle which had shown several deficiencies during the Spanish-American War, the original Model 1903 rifle was chambered for the .30-’03 cartridge. Modifications were subsequently made in the design during 1905-1906 & included the incorporation of a folding-leaf rear sight as well as changing to the improved .30 Springfield (.30-’06 Sprg.) cartridge.
The M1903 Springfield, (formally the United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903), is an American five-round magazine fed, bolt-action service repeating rifle used primarily during the first half of the 20th century. It was officially adopted as a United States military bolt-action rifle on 19 June 1903 (hence Model 1903) & saw service in World War I.
By late 1913 appropriations for military expenditures were severely reduced, which resulted in Rock Island Arsenal ceasing manufacture of the ’03 & Springfield scaling back its production line. Since the small pre-war U.S. Army, Navy & Marine Corps were more or less fully equipped with Model 1903 rifles by this time, the reduced production rate was not seen as a problem. That would change just a few years later.
When America entered the Great War in April 1917 there weren’t nearly enough on hand to equip the rapidly mobilizing armed forces. In early 1917, Rock Island Arsenal was directed to resume manufacture which was easier said than done. The assembly line had been shut down for three years & most of the skilled workers had long since departed. Rock Island also experienced some problems in recruiting & training a new workforce. To exacerbate the difficulties there were troublesome shortages of raw materials, chiefly suitable steel, since many other arms manufacturers were also gearing up to make various types of firearms. Since Springfield Armory still had a cadre of experienced workmen the facility did not experience as many problems as Rock Island during this period, but there were still shortages of materials, which had some impact on the production rate. In order to speed manufacture some components were slightly modified to reduce machining time, including elimination of the serrations on the trigger and checkering on the butt plate. None of these changes had any negative effects on the utility of the rifles & there was no discernible reduction in the quality of either workmanship or materials of the Springfield & Rock Island ’03 rifles made in the 1917-1918 period from those made previously. In late 1918, the heat-treatment procedure for the receivers and barrels was changed from the old case-hardened variety to a stronger, double-heat-treated type.
In relation to the history regarding heat treatment of early Springfield’s, there is some conjecture & differences of opinion on whether certain early rifles are safe to shoot. We have reviewed all of the relevant history & as many facts we can find so are comfortable that this is safe to shoot (it has been fired many times since concerns were raised 102 years ago). Find out the facts & make your own decision by visiting http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/
Prior to World War I, the Springfield ’03 reigned supreme on many of the rifle ranges of the day. Amazingly, the ’03 in military configuration successfully competed against the best target rifles from other nations in the 1912 Olympics & other prestigious shooting matches.
It was officially replaced as the standard infantry rifle by the semi-automatic eight-round M1 Garand starting in 1936 although the M1903 Springfield remained in service as a standard issue infantry rifle in early WW2, since the U.S. entered the war without sufficient M1 rifles to arm all troops.
In 1942 the M1903 production was discontinued in favor of the M1903A3.
This actual rifle was manufactured in 1914 according to records & only 64,040 were made in this year in the Springfield Armoury. Uniquely, it also retains the original barrel dated 3-14 (see photos) which still shows plenty of rifling so should be a perfectly capable shooter.
This rifle appears all original & matching as far as we can see. Nice cartouches are easily visible on the wood including RA-P in a square which was the stamp for showing it has undergone an arsenal rebuild at the U.S. Army’s Raritan Arsenal in New Jersey. Other marks include the P in a circle indicating it was proof tested plus there are some very interesting marks including a 5 point star & an eagle cartouche under the stock, in front of the floor plate.
These original Springfield Model 1903 rifles are hard to find & highly desirable for collectors, now fetching between $1,500 & $4,000 USD in the US (when they become available) so this is good buying & your chance to own an original 1903 in great condition already imported into Australia.
Make your decision based on what you see, so please view the photos carefully as they form the main description & override all written information so ask for more if desired.
Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & these are sold on an as is basis.
As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.
Call for shipping cost to your dealer.
