My First Springfield 1903!!

Iron_Colonel · 10-25-2009, 11:01 PM

FINALLY!!! I have wanted one of these babies for a long time now. I couldn't pass up the deal for this baby! Its a Springfield Armory rifle, and the serial dates it to March 1937. There is a 9-42 stamp on the barrel which I understand is a rebarrel date. There were 7 of these all lined up on the table, all for the same price. There was at least 1 A3 that I can remember with the different rear sights. This one had the ugliest stock, but one of the best 2 bores of the lot. I checked them all. So it doesn't have to look good on the outside to be a good shooter at heart

The stock is a little beat up, but thats ok. I think it just gives it some character. You know this one was used. If only it could talk. The line of 7 Springfield 1903 rifles were the cheapest lot of any table I saw 1903 rifles on. I saw two later on and they wanted $1000 each for them. One of the two was in the 800,000 serial # range. I didn't care much to look for a re-barrel stamp. I had already bought this one and was out of cash anyways. So hopefully I didn't overpay at $500. I did see one other one that had a nicer stock on it for $550. Others ranged from $600-$1000 and everywhere in between on a dozen or more anyways that I saw.

I don't know much about the 1903 rifles. The only thing I did know, is I wanted one. The Springfield 1903, M1 Garand and Luger were three firearms that were on my list of guns I thought I'd never own in my life. Well, all items on that list are now crossed off. The US service rifles have been pretty expensive, with the exception of the CMP. They have very doable prices, but they are sold out of 1903s and A3s until 2011

But I have filled the void. So if anyone has any good links or literature ideas then I'd be happy to know them. I'd love to learn about these babies! Pics were taken before I cleaned it, with exception of the first one. It did have quite a bit of cosmolene all over it. The bore sure cleaned out very nicely. I think this bore pic is also before I cleaned it. If anyone knows what any of the stock markings are as well, any info is appreciated. Now for the pics:

Bore after cleaning:

Bore before cleaning:

It looks like a light stamp. If anyone knows what it means, please do share. It appears to be stamped "SADAL" I suppose it could mean something Springfield Armory, but this I do not know.

This number does not match the serial on the receiver.

maineman · 10-25-2009, 11:27 PM

congrats Iron Colonel the only thing i know about the 1903 is that i want one. the pictures are great. enjoy it. i'll be looking for a range report.

44spl · 10-25-2009, 11:43 PM

Your rifle was made sep. of 1937. I et if you check real close you will find it has a star barrel.

JimBob · 10-26-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44spl

Your rifle was made sep. of 1937. I et if you check real close you will find it has a star barrel.

The barrel on that rifle is a replacement made by Remington.There were no Remington star guage barrels.The DAL is an inspectors stamp encountered on M1903 rifles in the aprox.period 1917-1930,inspectors name is unknown.A good informational sight on the M1903 is Vi Shooter's M1903 Page

Iron_Colonel · 10-26-2009, 02:07 AM

How do you know if it was Sept. 1937? What is a "star gauge barrel"? Does the RA over the flaming bomb stamp mean "Remington Arms"? So they rebarreled it then? Oh so much to learn, but I've got to start somewhere. Thanks for the replies guys. According to the link you provided, it looks like the rifle was made close to March 1937 (that sight is initially where I found info on the serial). So based on that info, I guess one can't really be sure about what month it was actually made.

In addition, what kind of front sight cover would I need? I found this at Numrich's site.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.as...11901&mySort=2

I don't know if it would fit a 1903, or if an A3 front sight cover would be compatible. I found some marked 1903-A3 at buymilsurp. Thanks for any insight.

JimBob · 10-26-2009, 06:46 AM

The R A on the barrel does mean Remington Arms.The star guaged barrels were barrels that checked as close to a perfect from end to end with no variances as possible with the tools available at the time.They were marked on the muzzle crown with a "*" looking symbol.If you do a google search for "star guage barrels" you will find William S.Brophys book The Springfield 1903 Rifles available on google books to look at.It is the long time standard reference work on 03s.

Dookiebutt · 10-26-2009, 06:50 AM

You got yourself a nice one. Possibly it was rebarreled for WWII. You don't need the sight cover. If I remember correctly, they were not designed to be used as a permanent cover. They do look cool, and they protect your front sight blade and keep it from tearing out the interior of your gun case.

Iron_Colonel · 10-26-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm still wondering about the Sept. 1937 though. the serial is 14972xx if that is a help for anyone. Additional info will be appreciated again

M14man · 10-26-2009, 01:36 PM

It apparantly was a CMP -Greek return as per the 'B' on the floorplate and the numbers on the butt stock. Stock made around 1919-1930. You paid a little less than most like that. The finger groove stock is a plus.

Iron_Colonel · 10-26-2009, 04:20 PM

Interesting. If it were used by the Greeks, would it have to have an import stamp on it if it was returned to the US? Or could that have happened before it was required? Where is the finger groove on this stock?

M14man · 10-26-2009, 05:13 PM

The CMP did not/does not have to stamp rifles. Thus any rifle you get from CMP will have no import stamp. About 5 years ago CMP was selling Garands,03's and 03A3's that they got back from Greece. 30:06 ammo too. Soon they will have more.
The Greeks usually had stamped numbers on the stock, pinned the floorplate and marked it.."B". Some bolts had an electropenciled number. Yours is definitely a Greek return. The finger grooves are those long 11" hollows under the rear sight. Stocks made from 1903 to about '42 had them. In '42 they started to make stocks without those grooves.

Full MeTal Jack · 10-26-2009, 09:29 PM

That's a great find Iron_Colonel. Yep, stock is or has lots of charactor.
Good price too. Hope she shoots better than she looks

Iron_Colonel · 10-26-2009, 10:19 PM

Well, the first pic is kind of an attestment to how the bore looks. It looks great. Lands and grooves are pretty sharp, so I hope it gets it done. Now I see what you meant by the finger grooves, it is all making sense now..... So if the floor plate is pinned, it can't be removed now?

M14man · 10-26-2009, 10:26 PM

Take the trigger guard out of the stock and see if there is a brass pin,wire etc holding the floor plate latch. Remove it. It was not a permanant thing. It was done so the soldier did not lose his floorplate due to snapping it in in-correctly.

Iron_Colonel · 10-26-2009, 11:56 PM

Ok good suggestion. More stuff I didn't know. So another n00b 1903 question..... The barrel stamp is 9-42. Does that mean the barrel was made in 9-42? Or does that mean the barrel was made at some other time, and the rifle was just rebarreled in 9-42?

M14man · 10-27-2009, 12:35 AM

That was when the barrel was made. It could have been rebarrelled years later than 1942.

gunadvocate · 10-27-2009, 11:45 AM

Good looking 1903 Colonel! I picked one up this summer from CMP but still havent gotten the hang of shooting it (mine shoots low at 100 yards... maybe because its for further distances... not really sure) You will enjoy it though that is for sure!

twtalbot · 10-27-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M14man

The CMP did not/does not have to stamp rifles...

because the rifles are still government property when they're returned to the U.S.. They are then donated by the army to the CMP.

Iron_Colonel · 10-27-2009, 09:56 PM

Thanks again for the replies. Learning more and more daily.

dead_on · 11-09-2009, 01:01 PM

.
I envy you Iron_Colonel and the others here that have 1903’s in original configuration, I have to settle (for now) with a sporterized one. I’m happy to have it though and I’m working through some small malfunctioning with it (with the help of the good folks here). I have to say that your photos are great, nice macro detail too. I did notice your sight was off a tad but you’ll be adjusting that at the range anyhow. Wishing you the best of luck with the new rifle and I’m also learning right along with you about these rascals, this is a great forum.

.

10-25-2009, 11:01 PM	#1
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	My First Springfield 1903!! FINALLY!!! I have wanted one of these babies for a long time now. I couldn't pass up the deal for this baby! Its a Springfield Armory rifle, and the serial dates it to March 1937. There is a 9-42 stamp on the barrel which I understand is a rebarrel date. There were 7 of these all lined up on the table, all for the same price. There was at least 1 A3 that I can remember with the different rear sights. This one had the ugliest stock, but one of the best 2 bores of the lot. I checked them all. So it doesn't have to look good on the outside to be a good shooter at heart The stock is a little beat up, but thats ok. I think it just gives it some character. You know this one was used. If only it could talk. The line of 7 Springfield 1903 rifles were the cheapest lot of any table I saw 1903 rifles on. I saw two later on and they wanted $1000 each for them. One of the two was in the 800,000 serial # range. I didn't care much to look for a re-barrel stamp. I had already bought this one and was out of cash anyways. So hopefully I didn't overpay at $500. I did see one other one that had a nicer stock on it for $550. Others ranged from $600-$1000 and everywhere in between on a dozen or more anyways that I saw. I don't know much about the 1903 rifles. The only thing I did know, is I wanted one. The Springfield 1903, M1 Garand and Luger were three firearms that were on my list of guns I thought I'd never own in my life. Well, all items on that list are now crossed off. The US service rifles have been pretty expensive, with the exception of the CMP. They have very doable prices, but they are sold out of 1903s and A3s until 2011 But I have filled the void. So if anyone has any good links or literature ideas then I'd be happy to know them. I'd love to learn about these babies! Pics were taken before I cleaned it, with exception of the first one. It did have quite a bit of cosmolene all over it. The bore sure cleaned out very nicely. I think this bore pic is also before I cleaned it. If anyone knows what any of the stock markings are as well, any info is appreciated. Now for the pics: Bore after cleaning: Bore before cleaning: It looks like a light stamp. If anyone knows what it means, please do share. It appears to be stamped "SADAL" I suppose it could mean something Springfield Armory, but this I do not know. This number does not match the serial on the receiver. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

10-26-2009, 02:07 AM	#5
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	How do you know if it was Sept. 1937? What is a "star gauge barrel"? Does the RA over the flaming bomb stamp mean "Remington Arms"? So they rebarreled it then? Oh so much to learn, but I've got to start somewhere. Thanks for the replies guys. According to the link you provided, it looks like the rifle was made close to March 1937 (that sight is initially where I found info on the serial). So based on that info, I guess one can't really be sure about what month it was actually made. In addition, what kind of front sight cover would I need? I found this at Numrich's site. http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.as...11901&mySort=2 I don't know if it would fit a 1903, or if an A3 front sight cover would be compatible. I found some marked 1903-A3 at buymilsurp. Thanks for any insight. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU! Last edited by Iron_Colonel; 10-26-2009 at 02:27 AM.

10-26-2009, 06:50 AM	#7
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 2,038	You got yourself a nice one. Possibly it was rebarreled for WWII. You don't need the sight cover. If I remember correctly, they were not designed to be used as a permanent cover. They do look cool, and they protect your front sight blade and keep it from tearing out the interior of your gun case. __________________ The nerds will never understand the awesomeness of it.

10-26-2009, 01:22 PM	#8
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Thanks for the replies guys. I'm still wondering about the Sept. 1937 though. the serial is 14972xx if that is a help for anyone. Additional info will be appreciated again __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

10-26-2009, 04:20 PM	#10
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Interesting. If it were used by the Greeks, would it have to have an import stamp on it if it was returned to the US? Or could that have happened before it was required? Where is the finger groove on this stock? __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

10-25-2009, 11:27 PM	#2
maineman Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Monticello Maine 04760 Posts: 44	congrats Iron Colonel the only thing i know about the 1903 is that i want one. the pictures are great. enjoy it. i'll be looking for a range report.

10-25-2009, 11:43 PM	#3
44spl Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 19	Your rifle was made sep. of 1937. I et if you check real close you will find it has a star barrel.

10-26-2009, 06:46 AM	#6
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 725	The R A on the barrel does mean Remington Arms.The star guaged barrels were barrels that checked as close to a perfect from end to end with no variances as possible with the tools available at the time.They were marked on the muzzle crown with a "*" looking symbol.If you do a google search for "star guage barrels" you will find William S.Brophys book The Springfield 1903 Rifles available on google books to look at.It is the long time standard reference work on 03s.

10-26-2009, 01:36 PM	#9
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 1,162 Images: 10	It apparantly was a CMP -Greek return as per the 'B' on the floorplate and the numbers on the butt stock. Stock made around 1919-1930. You paid a little less than most like that. The finger groove stock is a plus.

10-26-2009, 05:13 PM	#11
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 1,162 Images: 10	The CMP did not/does not have to stamp rifles. Thus any rifle you get from CMP will have no import stamp. About 5 years ago CMP was selling Garands,03's and 03A3's that they got back from Greece. 30:06 ammo too. Soon they will have more. The Greeks usually had stamped numbers on the stock, pinned the floorplate and marked it.."B". Some bolts had an electropenciled number. Yours is definitely a Greek return. The finger grooves are those long 11" hollows under the rear sight. Stocks made from 1903 to about '42 had them. In '42 they started to make stocks without those grooves. Last edited by M14man; 10-26-2009 at 05:15 PM.

10-26-2009, 09:29 PM	#12
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,914 Images: 6	That's a great find Iron_Colonel. Yep, stock is or has lots of charactor. Good price too. Hope she shoots better than she looks __________________ Guns and cameras don't mix

10-26-2009, 10:19 PM	#13
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Well, the first pic is kind of an attestment to how the bore looks. It looks great. Lands and grooves are pretty sharp, so I hope it gets it done. Now I see what you meant by the finger grooves, it is all making sense now..... So if the floor plate is pinned, it can't be removed now? __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

10-26-2009, 10:26 PM	#14
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 1,162 Images: 10	Take the trigger guard out of the stock and see if there is a brass pin,wire etc holding the floor plate latch. Remove it. It was not a permanant thing. It was done so the soldier did not lose his floorplate due to snapping it in in-correctly.

10-26-2009, 11:56 PM	#15
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Ok good suggestion. More stuff I didn't know. So another n00b 1903 question..... The barrel stamp is 9-42. Does that mean the barrel was made in 9-42? Or does that mean the barrel was made at some other time, and the rifle was just rebarreled in 9-42? __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

10-27-2009, 12:35 AM	#16
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 1,162 Images: 10	That was when the barrel was made. It could have been rebarrelled years later than 1942.

10-27-2009, 11:45 AM	#17
gunadvocate Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Knoxville Posts: 272	Good looking 1903 Colonel! I picked one up this summer from CMP but still havent gotten the hang of shooting it (mine shoots low at 100 yards... maybe because its for further distances... not really sure) You will enjoy it though that is for sure! __________________ "Love my country, fear my government..."

10-27-2009, 09:56 PM	#19
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Thanks again for the replies. Learning more and more daily. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

11-09-2009, 01:01 PM	#20
dead_on Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Eastern Massachusetts Posts: 18	. I envy you Iron_Colonel and the others here that have 1903’s in original configuration, I have to settle (for now) with a sporterized one. I’m happy to have it though and I’m working through some small malfunctioning with it (with the help of the good folks here). I have to say that your photos are great, nice macro detail too. I did notice your sight was off a tad but you’ll be adjusting that at the range anyhow. Wishing you the best of luck with the new rifle and I’m also learning right along with you about these rascals, this is a great forum. . Last edited by dead_on; 11-09-2009 at 01:06 PM.