1882

Springfield Model 1903 Rifle with Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Case

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Springfield Model 1903 Rifle with Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Case
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Estimate: $4500 - 6500
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S. Model: 1903
Springfield Model 1903 Rifle manufactured c. 1910 and fitted with a later production Model 1913 Warner & Swasey 5.2 power telescopic sight. The Ordnance Department purchased 5,730 M1913 Warner & Swasey telescopic sights between 1913 and 1918. Approximately 1,500 of these telescopic sights were mounted on selected star-gauged M1903 rifles and issued in WWI. The rifles and telescopic sights were intended to be kept together as a unit; the serial number of the rifle initially fitted with the telescopic sight was stamped on the inside of the mounting rail of the sight. The left side of the rifle receiver is drilled and tapped for a M1913 sight bracket and the three base screws are staked in place. The left side of the stock is inletted for the bracket feet. The brass M1913 Telescopic sight has a black enamel finish and is fitted with the distinctive rubber eye cap. Brass drift and wind correction plates are screwed to the top of the sight body and objective lens. The left side of the sight body is marked with the model designation, "1913", the serial number, "2182" and the Warner & Swasey address and patent numbers. The inside of the sight rail is stamped "FOR RIFLE NO. 586037". The M1903 rifle has the early pattern "S" stock manufactured thru mid-1910 with a single reinforcing bolt and fine checkered buttplate. The high hump hand guard has the sight clearance cut adopted in 1910 and two spring clips. The stock and hand guard are oil finished black walnut. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with the block letter "J.F.C." final inspection mark. A circled script "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the wrist behind the trigger guard and a small "S" is stamped on the tip of the stock. The M1905 rear sight has a 2,750 yard center notch, small knurled and grooved slide binding screw with concave face and large knurled and grooved windage knob with concave face. The alignment marks on the front sight and front sight base match. The trigger is the smooth thin style used thru 1910. The rifle has a blue barrel, barrel bands, rear sight base, trigger guard, floor plate, sling swivels and bolt. The receiver, cocking piece and safety have a mottled casehardened finish. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped with the four-line Springfield nomenclature and the serial number "400422". The top of the barrel is stamped with "SA" above the Ordnance insignia and the date "2-10". The safety lever and magazine cut-off have early serifed markings. The rifle appears to be an original configuration 1910 production M1903. The rifle is complete with a rear sight cover, nickel-plated oiler and M1907 sling marked "R.I.A./1909". The telescope sight is accompanied by a Rock Island Arsenal 1918 dated russet leather scope case complete with shoulder strap and sight adjustment tool. Although the Warner & Swasey telescopic sight is not original to this rifle, the scope and rifle combination are a good representative example of the first telescopic sighted rifle issued and used in action by the U.S. Army.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 06
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 400422
Condition:
Very good plus. The rifle retains 40% of the blue and casehardened finish. Most of the blue and casehardened finish is present on the portions of the barrel protected by the stock and hand guard. The barrel bands, trigger guard, floor plate and exposed portions of the barrel and receiver show moderate to heavy handling wear and the finish has aged to a blue brown patina with bright metal on contact points. All of the markings are crisp. The stock and hand guard have the same moderate to heavy wear as the rifle with numerous minor dents and handling marks. The Ordnance final inspection mark on the left side of the wrist is clear and the proof mark shows expected handling wear. The telescopic sight is good and retains 50% of the black enamel finish with numerous small nicks and scratches. The optics are cloudy. The rubber eyepiece is original and in good condition. The M1913 range dial knob has been replaced with a M1908 range dial knob. The sight slide has been drilled and tapped and fitted with and additional screw-in plug to stabilize the sight; this was a common field modification on Warner & Swasey telescopic sights. This is a good representative example of a 1910 production Springfield M1903 rifle fitted with an issued Model 1913 Warner & Swasey telescopic sight.