Old 06-01-2009, 11:22 PM   #1
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spring field armory model 1903

I just got a rifle from my dad, I would like to know some general info about it. caliber, was it military, that sort of stuff. Barrel is stamped 11-42 and the serial number is 1365121. thanks
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Old 06-01-2009, 11:30 PM   #2
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If it says M1903 it is a military action that apparantly was rebarrelled since the receiver was made in the 1920's. You would have to display photos of it for us to tell if it still has the military configuration. Sights should me the ladder type, in front of the bolt. The stock would go almost to the front and be about 4" short of reaching the muzzle.Caliber is 30:06. Best to post your questions in the military icatagory in the M1903 section.

Last edited by M14man; 06-01-2009 at 11:34 PM. Reason: additional info
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Old 06-02-2009, 12:06 AM   #3
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M14man, you're close on the period of manufacture. The Serial number 1365121 appears to have been a 1930 number (1338406‑1369760). You're absolutely correct about the re-barreling during World War II. Almost all of America's existing small arms went through the arsenal rehabilitation program that included new parts when and where needed.

ttaylor, you have one of America's premier service rifles manufactured from 1903 until 1930/31 by Springfield Armory and to a lesser extent; Rock Island Arsenal. Remington Arms made the same ’03 design from 1939 until 1941. A revised design to facilitate ease of manufacturing called the M-1903A3 was manufactured from 1942 until 1944 by L.C. Smith-Corona and Remington Arms Company.

Your ‘03 was too late to have served in World War I, but it certainly saw service during World War II. ‘03s and 03-A3s were designated “substitute standard issue” service rifles during a time when the M1 Garand service rifle was the “standard issue.” During World War II, there were never enough M1s, so the ‘03s and ‘03-A3s were issued when and where needed. They served primarily in the South Pacific in the Solomon Islands Campaign and in North Africa, and continued to be found at the front and in reserve throughout the war.
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Old 06-02-2009, 10:07 AM   #4
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Thank you for all the great info on the 1903

I'm gonna snap a few pics and post them in the suggested military icatagory in the M1903 section. Thanks again, that was exactly the type of info I was looking for.
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Old 06-02-2009, 10:42 AM   #5
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ttaylor, these are some configurations that I found online. You may or may not have a “full grip C-stock” on your '03 since it was near the end of production before Springfield Armory began its retooling work for the M1 Garand. I can't wait to see your pictures because you appear to have one of the latest of the Springfield Armory manufactured '03 service rifles. SA did continue to make competition '03 rifles for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps rifle teams throughout the '30s, but service rifle production ended in 1931; a year or so after your 1930 produced rifle.

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