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Late WWI Model 1903 Springfield Armory Rifle with the Rare 20 Shot Extended Box Magazine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Late WWI Model 1903 Springfield Armory Rifle with the Rare 20 Shot Extended Box Magazine
This is an example of a late 1918/1919 production 1903 Springfield Rifle that has been fitted with the Rare 20 shot extended box magazine. The extended box magazine is one of the original WWI era magazines that were used/issued in the scarce 1903 "Air Service" rifle variation, which was intended to be used in WWI observation balloons and early WWI spotter aircraft. These magazines were subsequently also used during WWI in the trenches to increase the fire power of the rifles. These magazine are fairly scarce to find on today 's market as no one wanted them because they increase the weight of the rifle and extended below the stock which made firing in the prone position almost impossible to do. The rifle itself, as noted, is a late WWI production version that was rebarreled by Springfield Armory and is marked with the US Ordnance flaming shell over "SA/1-28". The rifle has the correct milled barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate and the bolt is a late WWII version that is marked "BF47" on top of the bolt handle. The rifle has been fitted with a late two bolt, non-finger groove walnut stock and hand guard. The left side of the stock is stamped "1928" in large serif numbers over "EPX" in smaller block style letters. The same markings are stamped on the right side of the butt stock. The rifle has the original GI 1920s style gray green parkerized finish overall with an oil finish on the stock and hand guard. The rifle is complete with a stamped front sight cover and a 1907 WWI style unmarked leather sling with brass keepers.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 06
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: 988630


Arsenal refurbished overall with 95% of the original GI parkerized finish overall. The receiver and front exposed barrel are show some slight thinning of the finish with the balance of the wear on the edges and high spots, with the front barrel band having browned out overall. The box magazine shows 97% of the original blue/parkerized finish overall with a small spot of corrosion on the lower right rear corner of the magazine. The stock and hand guard both show a nice medium brown color overall with minor handling marks. The sling is pliable and a little dark but is solid with no rips or tears. A nice example of a early production 1903 Springfield Armory rifle with the scarce 20 shot extended box magazine.