3627

Early Original Production 1903 Springfield Armory 1903 Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Early Original Production 1903 Springfield Armory 1903 Rifle
This is a very good example of a early production 1903 standard service rifle that has remained in original condition. These early 1903 standard production rifles saw heavy use prior to and during WWI and went through numerous rebuilds, so to find one with in basically original condition is very difficult today. This rifle has the Original oil quenched casehardened receiver with the prewar rust blued finish on all the remaining metal parts and components. The top of the receiver has the standard Springfield Armory markings over the serial number (446,040) and the barrel is correctly marked with the US Ordnance Flaming shell and "SA/8-10" for the month and year of manufacture. The bolt is a correct casehardened version that has a "D4" heat lot markings on the underside of the safety lug. It has the correct milled barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate and the early pattern rear sight that is graduated to 2700 yards and has the correct 2800 yards notch on top of the ladder. The windage and elevation knobs are the correct early dished and split versions appropriate for this time period. It is fitted with a correct single bolt, "S" pattern finger groove walnut stock with a high hump prewar handguard. The stock exhibits no cartouches or proofs, which may indicate a field replacement during its early service use. It is complete with an original front sight cover and a 1905 leather sling that is dated 1917. Overall a very nice example of an early production rifle.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 06
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 446030


Fine with 40% of the original blue finish remaining with wear and blue loss on the floor plate, the exposed area of the barrel and tops of the barrel bands, exactly as you would expect for a rifle that was actually used in the field. The edges and high spots of the receiver, and rear sight base show some general thinning of the finish overall. The walnut stock and handguard are very good with shallow finger grooves caused by an old light cleaning, with no proofs or cartouches. Both have a nice matching medium brown finish with general light wear exactly as you would expect to see from a rifle as used it the field. A solid example of a correct early production 1903 Springfield rifle.