[west]

Metro- back from dentist, and no I'm not crying like a big girl. I do have the dead, diseased tooth as a trophy (or incentive to commit to better hygiene??)

I am looking at the 1903 Springfield & 1917 Enfield examples folks here have posted...just examining slowly to avoid mistakes...the url with 1903/1934 in it leading to photo collage is INDEED helpful and so close to the rifle here, I've posted my observations on the .jpg with this update. Additional info: a Weaver 1" scope is on this rifle. So is it alright ? to end our ID here?? a sporterized 1903 Springfield, Weaver 1" scope, Monte Carlo style wood Fajen stock, chambered in an unknown caliber ? because (for folks who don't read entire thread) I don't have a digital camera. More than likely I'll never get to fire this rifle, just clean & care for next owner. Folks here have been helpful which does make this "the friendlest gun forum on the Internet". Perhaps rifles are so prevelent in this world that their name/ model name is not always cut, dried black, white?? More input is welcome.

[Mooseman684]

West ,
Look at the front of the barrel closely top and Bottom and see if there is a symbol and a couple of Letters (like SA , or SC) and a 3 digit date stamped in it...top or bottom behind the front sight...
More than likely it is a 30/06 , but that remains to be seen.
Also . where is the rear sight located if it has one ? Rear of the receiver behind the bolt or on a collar around the barrel in front of the Bolt ?
If it has a Rear sight or dovetail for one that now has a scope mount it could be a 1903/A3...
The receiver should be Brand stamped right over the Chamber section of the barrel just ahead of the Bolt.
Rich

[JimBob]

If the number you posted,686888 is determined to be the serial no of the action it was manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1917 if it is indeed an M1903 action.That falls in the range of rifles called low numbered and are considered not safe to shoot because of heat treating methods used.The original barrel length would be aprox. 24 inches measured from the bolt face to muzzle by measuring on a cleaning rod dropped down the barrel with the bolt closed.

[Kaybe]

In the picture, you list a part as the "safety tab" with the word "on" on it. That is NOT THE SAFETY! When I had my 03 several years ago, I thought the same thing. That is the magazine cut off. The safety is on the back of the bolt, on the top. It looks like the earlier tab, but smaller and no "on" or "off" stamped on it. The 03 has the typical Mauser safety on it. Please, someone correct me if I am wrong, but, with the safety all the way to the right, it is off. Straight up and down, on but the bolt will work, to the left, on and the bolt is locked. I have Mauser experience, not Springfield. The letters k k k could be the inspector's proof marks. His first initial is probably k, and he probably did numerous checks on the gun and is required to stamp his initial to show who did the check and what check was done. Just a theory, in my opinion. hope this helps and welcome to the forum.

[JimBob]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Kaybe

In the picture, you list a part as the "safety tab" with the word "on" on it. That is NOT THE SAFETY! When I had my 03 several years ago, I thought the same thing. That is the magazine cut off. The safety is on the back of the bolt, on the top. It looks like the earlier tab, but smaller and no "on" or "off" stamped on it. The 03 has the typical Mauser safety on it. Please, someone correct me if I am wrong, but, with the safety all the way to the right, it is off. Straight up and down, on but the bolt will work, to the left, on and the bolt is locked. I have Mauser experience, not Springfield. The letters k k k could be the inspector's proof marks. His first initial is probably k, and he probably did numerous checks on the gun and is required to stamp his initial to show who did the check and what check was done. Just a theory, in my opinion. hope this helps and welcome to the forum.

The M1903 rifle safety if all the way left is in the firing position as indicated by the marking ready.All the way right is in the safe position and so marked.The center position is also a safe and is used to remove the bolt from the rifle and holds the firing pin in a locked position for bolt disassembly.The piece with the Off and On marking is the magazine cut off.The On position indicates the magazine will not feed rounds and is used for loading and chambering single rounds.The Off position feeds rounds from the magazine.

[Mooseman684]

Here are some of the Known Springfield stamps...
Inspectors Stamps
Rich

[west]

Moose- re:Look at the front of the barrel closely top and Bottom and see if there is a symbol and a couple of Letters (like SA , or SC)

yes, have thoroughly looked the exterior of this rifle over... I won't disassemble it. No symbol or letters SA, SC, no box or circle to report. To most of you here, removing the Weaver scope to further inspect would be no big deal, and I have the tools. As stated, I won't even do that.

Kaybe- interesting thought of inspector's proof...since there are several places on the rifle (not the stock) where the group of three are and the plate under the receiver, it seems the three k k k's are perhaps there because it was inspected during manufacture... Moose- Thanks for the list of known Springfield inspector's stamps, didn't find a group of 3 k's (no more that 1/16th tall) on the list. they are in the open where they appear, no box around them. So Moose, what do you think of the ID so far? only missing the caliber so far it seems. Great Job folks.

[Mooseman684]

But at the bottom of the list was a single K , so it could be a triple inspection stamp...Just a guess. It may have a Non-military barrel ,so it could be a .270 , a 30/06 , a 35 Whelen...Do you have a gun store , Gunsmith,or Pawn shop that is close by , they could ID it for you..

Rich

[west]

Moose- ah, you lerned me again, so this rifle has three k's and no proof mark "P" in a square to report. So do you feel somewhat confident in a "1903" manufacture ?

as stated earlier, I slid a very slightly smaller than 1/4 dial. screw into the barrel.

[JimBob]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Mooseman684

Here are some of the Known Springfield stamps... Inspectors Stamps Rich

Those are stamps that are found on the stock and are used upon final inspection.

[Mooseman684]

Quote:       Originally Posted by west

Moose- ah, you lerned me again, so this rifle has three k's and no proof mark "P" in a square to report. So do you feel somewhat confident in a "1903" manufacture ? as stated earlier, I slid a very slightly smaller than 1/4 dial. screw into the barrel.

The Stock you have is a sporter stock so there will be no stamps on it...There can be a variety of stamps on metal parts...
As far as the caliber...Hard to say...and I am surprised that the barrel is not stamped...Take it to a Local Gunsmith and have it checked out...Best I can tell you from Here !
Rich

[Mooseman684]

Here are some photos for you to compare of My 1903 Action...






see if your action compares to this....
Rich

[Kaybe]

Thanks for the correction JimBob, I got it right in my head but couldn't write it properly. Maybe some racist wanted to put k k k on it, just for the heck of it.

[big shrek]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Metronome

I am really happy with my dentist, he is good and all, but he has some very nice young female assistants who have no problems leaning in on you and telling you how much they are going to hurt you. The big clue for me is the "ON" & "U.S." stamps, I would look at pictures of the 1903 Springfield or the 1917 Enfield rifles to see if things are similar, it does sound like a sporterized gun to me too.

I have yet to meet a dental assistant chick who wasn't a sadistic bizatchie.

But for some reason, they all also liked to be spanked

[west]

Moose- re:some photos for you to compare of My 1903 Action

Thanks for the photos to reference...and...YES, that is VERY similar / like the action on this rifle.

re:and I am surprised that the barrel is not stamped - this barrel is stamped on top with 1/16" tall k's spaced apart. . . (and no, none on stock)

You Moose, Thrill, Palla, wunhung, Jim, Purdy, Metro, Kay and others have all been friendly and helpful. Thank You sincerely from west. My sense is this rifle is "garden variety" in the world of rifles.

So class, what is this rifle? (your answer)
a sporterized 1903 Springfield bolt action, Weaver 1" scope, Monte Carlo style wood Fajen stock, chambered in a caliber of bullet approximately 1/4" dia.
in very good condition

Metro- on the subject of dental assistant hotties (which is not this thread), I had no such joy, the closest I get to that is the beauty school where i get a haircut with young teenage, early twenties femes that dress like...uhmm. . .better stop now while I'm thinking straight, only one ever leaned over the front of my chair for any period of time and my gratuity showed it.

[west]

Got access to a camera, here is what you helpful folks I.D.'d

The bolt handle is really gouged, sculped, scraped for some unknown
reason

Thanks again

[Mooseman684]

well , it is hard to say what caliber it is...could be 25/06 or .257 Roberts or .270 Winchester.
I am surprised that the Caliber is Not stamped on the Left side of the Barrel.

Rich

[runfiverun]

bolt was filed/ground to clear the scope.
my money says it's in 25-06 but could be 257 roberts as that was a factory round when the gun was built.
25-06 would have been a wildcat at the time,and the action would handle 257 roberts factory ammo of the day.
i'd take it to a shop they could tell in about 2 minutes what it was.

[ArkansasHunter]

Is this rifle for sale ???