U.S. Springfield M1903 MkI Rifle…………….SOLD

An excellent M1903 MkI Springfield Rifle with Pederson Cut-out

This 1903 MkI looks to have been arsenal refinished in the very recent past.  The metal work has been covered in an even black phosphate all over.  Only the rear sling swivel, butt-plate, trigger guard and floor plate have been omitted from the restoration.

The MkI rifle stands alone in is speciality as a conversion which was thought better of at a later date.  However, the rifle was left with a tell-tale sign of the process; the ejection port in the LHS of the action.  Once it was realised that not all combat in WW1 was going to be at long distance, the relevant authorities started looking for a way of increasing firepower once the fighting came down to close quarters.  A device was submitted and adopted that would convert a slightly modified 1903 rifle using .30-06 down to a 40 round, .30 caliber, close quarter trench clearer.  In brief, it was not unsuccessful, but at the end of the war the devices were withdrawn from service and the rifle brought back into arsenal and returned, as far as possible, to the original specification.   This rifle shows none of the other measures taken to adapt the weapon, that are occasionally left behind,  it is purely the slot in the action wall and the breech markings that tell the tale.

The breech is marked as follows;  “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903 /MARK I / 1097202”   The serial number puts production in 1919.  The “MARK I” is the reference to the conversion.  The action also has the later large gas escape hole just beyond the ejection port on the LHS of the action.  On the same side of the action, towards the rear, is the magazine cut-off switch.

The rifle has the conventional Mauser type bolt system with safety flag to rear marked “SAFE”  and on the other side “READY”.  Capacity is a standard five shot internal magazine which can be clip loaded from above.  Overall the 1903 comes out at 43.3/8″ in length.  The barrel is a nominal 24″ and the trigger pull 13″.  All 1903 were stocked in two piece american black walnut, with as straight as grain as possible.  This particular rifle has a very light coloured, though close grained main stock.  The stock is without finger groves in the fore-end  and has two cross-bolts that reinforce against recoil, it is known as the modified stock.   The grain of this stock also has a pleasant tiger stripe running from the trigger guard to the muzzle cap.  The stock has been finished to a high degree, consequently it is possible that the lack of cartouches is a result of that process, but also entirely possible that somehow it just never had them.

The rifle is fitted with the normal 2700 yard ladder sights with multiple aiming points to use.  The barrel collar beneath these sights is devoid of the lightening cuts.  This rifle has been fitted with a replacement barrel.  The markings behind the front sight ramp are as follows; ” H. S. / flaming bomb / 5  44″  thereby just confirming the fact that the rifle has a replacement barrel.  Obviously a barrel fitted in 1944 is going to have a far better bore than a barrel from 1919 and a quick glance inside confirms that fact.  Four groove RH twist rifling with clean reflective surfaces, possibly a slight intermittent scratch touching the lands on one side for about three twists, otherwise very strong.

All the other stock fittings are correct to the vintage of this weapon.  Milled fittings and a close checkered Springfield butt-plate with cleaning trap.  The rear sights graduated to 2700 yards and have windage adjustment.  This rifle is very attractive to look at it just needs to be taken out and used a bit.

Stock No’  f 405

SOLD

Comments Off on U.S. Springfield M1903 MkI Rifle…………….SOLD