1881

Desirable U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rod Bayonet Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:11,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Desirable U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rod Bayonet Rifle
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Estimate: $11000 - 16000
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S. Model: 1903
This is a nice example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rod bayonet bolt action rifle as manufactured in 1904. Like nearly all of the original production Model 1903 Rod Bayonet rifles, it was modified to accept the Model 1905 Bayonet and then subsequently restored back to the original Rod Bayonet configuration with many of the original parts, that include the distinctive 12-inch retractable rod bayonet, unique two hole front sight base, special front barrel band, early pointed tip narrow trigger, full length style hand guard and Model 1902 Krag tangent rear sight. The rifle is fitted with an early finger-groove, "S" type stock with no reinforcing bolts and early smooth buttplate with small diameter butt trap. The stock is an early rod-bayonet style replacement stock that was not issued that is not cartouched or proofed with a full length rod bayonet style hand guard fitted with a single spring clip with two rivets. The rifle has an early rod bayonet style barrel which, correctly lacks the manufacture date/Ordnance and Armory markings, that measures "24 1/8 inches. The underside of the barrel in the chamber area is marked with "P/1/J/8" proof stamps. The barrel has been fitted with an original rod bayonet front sight base along with a 1903 pattern rear sight based that has been nicely repinned on the barrel, (however the barrel doesn't have the second pin slot on the underside), that has a Krag rear sight on top. Currently the rifle lacks the correct solid lower barrel band, and short face square end follower found on original rod bayonet Model 1903 rifles. The bolt body is a straight handle "s" marked version that remains in its' original Armory bright polished finished with a niter blue extractor. It is fitted with an original blue trigger guard and floor plate that has had the cross-pin added to limit forward trigger movement when the rifle was modified from rod bayonet configuration. The receiver is roll-stamped "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903/34308" in five lines using the small serifed markings found on early production Model 1903 rifles. The safety lock has the post-1904 safety with "READY" and "SAFE" in serifed letters. The magazine cut-off has the early first pattern serifed "ON/OFF" markings. The rifle is fitted with a Model 1903 Sling marked "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL" and stamped with the inspector's initials "E.H.S." This excellent rifle is complete with a nickel plated oiler located in the butt trap.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30-06
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 34308
Condition:
Very fine as partially restored with 95% of the arsenal blue finish overall. The original full replacement stock and reproduction hand guard are both very fine with a nice matching medium brown color overall with only minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The rifle is an exceptional representative example of an extremely scarce Model 1903 rod bayonet rifle as produced by Springfield Armory.