1903 Springfield Rifle Dated 1918………………..Sold
Created on April 16th 2013
World War One Dated Springfield Rifle
1903 Rifle in .30-06 caliber. Pale Walnut Stock. 43.1/4″ long with 24″ long round barrel with a dark bore. The stock is the finger grooved type with hand guard which has the early dishing for the windage adjustment knob. It is also a two cross bolt type.
The receiver is marked as follows ” U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903 /944192″ On the RHS it has the small gas escape hole. There are ‘lightening’ cuts on the sight collar and the sight is graduated to 2700 yards and is parkerised. Although it has the later finish the adjustment wheels are the early ‘dished’ type. Front sight is standard regulation single blade type.
The Mauser type bolt has the swept back bolt handle with a general lack of finish. The bolt was originally blued as was the extractor spring, bolt show strong wear. Magazine cut-of switch was blued but is not now. Standard type flag safety. The action is mechanically fine.
The barrel is marked in the usual place behind the front sight ramp as follows; ” S A / flaming bomb motive / 8 – 18″ On checking the serial number it is found that production was in 1918. The general finish over the receiver is polished with age. It has wear on the high points back to the steel but there is no rust. below the cut-off switch in the stock is a dished relief out of the stock to allow clearance for the switch. In the bottom of that dish is a sub-inspectors mark, an “F”.
On the underside of the stock is the trigger guard and magazine floor plate, little finish remains here and time has left the same effect on all of these parts. In front of the plate there is a “40” stamped into the metal work. On the stock in front to the floor plate is a clear “Q”. Behind the trigger guard is a clear un-boxed final proof “P” stamp. If one looks carefully it is possible in the same area to see two other older circled “P” marks of a more conventional form. On the RHS of the wrist there are two unreadable inspectors cartouhes, the one above seems to have four letters, the one in front and below has three. Evidence that this rifle has been in and out of the armories many times in its long career.
The rifle has an early smooth butt-plate with trap. Two sling swivels, and bayonet nose cap. The bayonet lug is marked with an “H” for hardened steel. Unusual in appearance purely for the blonde stock, but all the same a late World War One Rifle ready for a collection.
Stock No’ f 331
£1800.
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