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Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 02:32
I had an inquire about this rifle, anyone have any ideas?

I only have three volumes of Springfield research, anyone have the fourth?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3981_zpse9363a75.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3967_zps01d204d0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3968_zps0f060625.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3973_zps04486c02.jpg
Tom Trevor
02-17-2013, 02:44
No listing in V-4. others around it are SPAR mumbers.
chuckindenver
02-17-2013, 03:49
very nice...i love it is it still 30-03. or had the cal, been changed?
Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 04:21
very nice...i love it is it still 30-03. or had the cal, been changed?

I have no idea ( I did ask) and not sure if we will be able to learn on way or the other.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3976_zpsba6c73f6.jpg
Calif Steve
02-17-2013, 04:25
Is there a name engraved on the floorplate? Is the name a Jr.? US Navy officer with connections. Difficult to acquire an '03 that early in production. Very interesting rifle.
Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 04:31
It's purported to have belonged to a USMC officer. I would rather not be fixated on one name until I can do a bit of research on that individual.
John Beard
02-17-2013, 04:56
Michael,

In case you didn't notice, the owner's initials are engraved in the floorplate. If I read the initials correctly, they are "L W T Jr "

Hope this helps.

J.B.
Calif Steve
02-17-2013, 06:22
John- I think you are correct. I couldn't make it out, I saw an "R" and a "W", with the "Jr". But you are right, John. (Nice work)
Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 06:22
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11807609

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3972_zps4c578bf5.jpg
Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 06:33
Gen Littleton Waller Tazewell Waller, Jr

Waller for sure,

http://www.alleylaw.net/coat.html
Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 06:52
I just checked "Americans and Their Guns" 13 citations so looks like there will be lot of info on Waller.

NRA President 1939-1941.
Calif Steve
02-17-2013, 08:39
Very interesting family. Has this rifle passed out of family hands?
Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 08:58
Very interesting family. Has this rifle passed out of family hands?

YES!
Michael Petrov
02-17-2013, 09:12
From Americans and Their Guns,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/Jpeg682_zpse8828862.jpg
Calif Steve
02-18-2013, 07:35
I guess that is simply the way of life. The NRA now has Dad Farr's '03. They do get sold off by grandsons and granddaughters.
DiGGer
02-18-2013, 10:42
Awesome!
jgaynor
02-20-2013, 05:42
Another excellent find Michael..please keep them coming!
Rick the Librarian
02-20-2013, 07:14
No kidding - beautiful rifle - I'm green with envy!
CPC
02-20-2013, 07:33
That is a truly outstanding rifle... it would be great to find a picture of it being presented to him or records of him having it finished. I would expect there were limited gunsmith houses at the time that would have been doing that kind of work. I may have missed it in an early post, but you may already know that info. From the web I see that he was the USA Shooting Team Captain from 22-24. Thank you for sharing.
Rick the Librarian
02-20-2013, 09:29
As I have said before, I highly recommend Michael's wonderful book entitled, Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century.
Michael Petrov
02-20-2013, 10:19
The big question I was asked was who made the sporter, a question I just cannot answer. Between 1910 when they started sporterizing the 1903 and 1940 there were many folks doing that work with varying degrees talent and artistic ability. There were many regional makers who were unknown out side of their area but never the less did fine work.

The engraving is unusual in that there seems to be more etching than engraving, another unknown.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3986_zps0f5ba198.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/IMG_3985_zps22018d7a.jpg
Michael Petrov
02-20-2013, 12:22
Here is another 'Unknown" maker that I nicknamed "Chicago-Guy" because three of the four known rifle by his have been traced back to Chicago. One thing that makes this unique is the carving and the engraving were done by the same person.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/4_zps5a95b33b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/5_zpsa88fce3f.jpg
Calif Steve
02-20-2013, 08:41
Michael: Have you been able to determine if the headless cocking piece is custom or NM?
Michael Petrov
02-20-2013, 09:13
Michael: Have you been able to determine if the headless cocking piece is custom or NM?

I understand that it is NM with reverse safety so a later addition. How much of the bolt is newer and how much is older I have not learned, the rifle is a long ways away ;-).
Kurt
02-20-2013, 09:40
Stunning rifles Micheal as is your majical photography. On the first rifle, for some reason, the bolt handle has a familiarity, I've seen that somewhere.

Regards

Kurt
Michael Petrov
02-21-2013, 11:52
"The bolt handle has a familiarity, I've seen that somewhere"

Normally when we see a flat bolt like that we think of the German / Austrian makers. I have seen these flat bolt on rifles by Kirkwood of Boston but this is not a Kirkwood. Many hunters on the East coast hunted in Canada on horseback and carried their rifle in a scabbard so they wanted it flat a possible. When Kirkwood did them they also used a bolt peep as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mjpetrov/New/test1_zps4ce52e50.jpg