U.S.1903 Service Rifle with Sedgley Barrel………SOLD

A Good Looking 1903 in a Pistol Grip Stock

This 1903 rifle displays all the hints of possible Marine Corps usage without the obvious signs – like the “USMC” barrel marking.  If one reads carefully, in between the lines, it is possible to believe that factors like, the low  receiver number,  the plain “S” marked barrel and the replacement stock add up to Marine corps involvement.  All of these things are listed as the sort of things that  Marine Corps procurement  had to accept.  The Corps only used rifles by Springfield.  They used a lot of low numbered receivers very successfully throughout the Second World War.   The serial number “816530” would place original manufacture of the receiver in 1918.

The receiver is marked as follows “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMOURY / MODEL 1903 / 816530”.  Forward of this marking is the rear sight fitted on a plain barrel collar with no lightening cuts – many of these replacement parts with which the Corps assembled their rifles, were made by subcontractors and not necessarily as well finished as the main arsenals – this one has lost its finish.  Another strong hint is the mixture of finishes, running from very light, and quite unusual to a dark grey parkerising on the forward nose band.  The marines were reticent to give up their 1903’s and used them at some of their toughest campaigns like Guadalcanal until the M1 Garand proved it was no more prone to jamming than their ’03 bolt actions.

The rifle measures 43.5/8″ in overall length. The round parkerised barrel is just under 24″ in length.  The stock is from straight grained, American Black Walnut, as is the hand-guard.  There are two sling swivels and a stacking hook.  The stock is a two cross-bolt type, with no cracks, very few dings and really is in very good condition.  Under the pistol grip are two clear “P” marks, usually the final proof marks. In front of the magazine floor plate and trigger guard is a large “N”, as of this moment, meaning unknown.  Standard milled parts for this early type rifle with the classic Springfield armory “U” on its side, on the mid-band.   There is a checkered steel butt-plate with trap for cleaning equipment.  On the LHS of the stock just behind the magazine cut-off switch depression are the  inspectors initials, “A.A.K.”

The bore is in very good condition with strong rifling and clean bright surfaces – no pitting or misting.  The action is mechanically perfect and smoothly fed from a standard internal five shot magazine.  The rifle can be clip loaded by a conventional Mauser type stripper clip.  The magazine cut-of switch is located at the rear LHS of the action and still functioning, so the rifle can be either fed from the magazine or so restricted to only accept single shots.  Conventional Mauser type safety flag at rear of bolt.  Finish over the action is mixed, which is correct, there are blued parts mixed with dark green – grey parts.  Behind the fore-sight ramp are the barrel markings which read; “S” – circled / flaming bomb (not center punched) / 9-44″  The last digit is over-punched.

As a whole this is an extremely shoot able compact 1903 which, still packs a punch. We are lucky enough to be able to gently “exercise” it on the range as it moves into its retirement.  If only I could shoot as well as them old boys from across the pond.

Stock No’   f 423

SOLD

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