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Exceptional Springfield Model 1903A1 National Match Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD
Exceptional Springfield Model 1903A1 National Match Rifle
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Estimate: $5500 - 7500
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S. Model: 1903
Springfield Model 1903A1 National Match Rifle manufactured c. 1932. The rifle is accompanied by a Springfield Research Service letter and copy of the Springfield Armory sales card. The sales card describes the rifle as: "Rifle, U.S. CAL. .30. M1903A1, Nat. Match, New." and shows that it was sold to Roger I. Dillenbeck of Adams, New York on November 12, 1934. In addition to the Type "C" pistol grip stock adopted for National Match (NM) rifles in 1929 with the designation "Model 1903A1", the rifle has the NM features that include a specially selected star-gauged barrel, polished bolt, receiver rails and follower top, rear sight without a 2,850 yard notch, heavy checkered buttplate, adjusted trigger pull, and grooved trigger. The barrel muzzle is stamped with the distinctive star-gauge mark in the six-o-clock position and the top of the barrel is stamped with the star-gauge number, "K/3127" two inches ahead of the rear sight base. The rifle serial number, "1402461" is electro-penciled on the top of the bolt and stamped on the underside of the stock in accordance with NM specifications. The rifle is complete with the special front sight cover furnished with NM rifles. The receiver has a single gas port on the right side and lacks the second gas port on the left side added in 1936 to new production and armory over hauled rifles. The bolt is stamped "N.S." (Nickel Steel) in small letters on the top of the handle and has the distinctive Springfield polishing marks above and below the safety lug. The right side of the cocking piece has the "CV" (chrome vanadium) mark found on late production NM rifles. The bolt has the standard safety and cocking piece fitted to NM bolts after 1931. The safety and cut-off have late non-serifed markings. The front sight and front sight stud have a matching alignment mark. The barrel is roll-stamped " S A" above the Ordnance "Shell & Flame" insignia and the date "6-32". The receiver is roll-stamped with the four line marking "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903." above the serial number "1402461". The left stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark "D.A.L." in a rectangular box. Circled block "P" proof mark is stamped on the inside of the pistol grip. An "S" sub-inspection mark is stamped in the magazine cut-off recess. The barrel, upper barrel band, receiver, trigger guard/floor plate, bolt sleeve, cocking piece, sling swivels and buttplate have the dark pre-WWII Springfield Armory parkerized finish. The exposed portion of the barrel at the muzzle and the rear sight base have the semi-gloss finish found on Springfield NM rifles. The front sight base and lower barrel band are blue. The face of the rear sight leaf and "ON" side of the magazine cut-off are polished bright. The straight grain black walnut pistol grip stock and post-WWI low-profile hand guard have the extra linseed oil finish applied to NM rifles. Springfield Armory manufactured 815 Model 1903A1 NM rifles in Fiscal year 1932 and a total of 8,712 Model 1903A1 NM rifles between 1929 and 1940. Many of these rifles were subsequently over-hauled and re-issued or sold as "Special Target" rifles. Original Model 1903A1 NM rifles in near new condition are very scarce.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 06
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: 1402461
Condition:
Excellent plus. The rifle retains98% plus of the original parkerized finish and shows only very minor storage wear. The only significant finish wear is some finish loss on the front sight base caused by contact with the front sight cover. The bolt and other polished components retain nearly all of the original bright finish. The screw heads are excellent and free from screw-driver battering. The stock and hand guard are near new and retain all of the original oil finish. The "DAL" final inspection mark, proof mark and serial number on the underside of the stock are extremely sharp. This is an exceptional example of one of the finest and most accurate bolt action military rifles ever made. It is one of the very best Springfield Model 1903A1 NM rifles ever offered for sale by the Rock Island Auction Company.