1903 NRA Sporter

[MoMallard]

OK. All opinions welcome and wanted. I bit on this from Gunbroker a couple of weeks back and it came in today. My initial was that the metal was indeed a 1928 NRA sporter. A second look told me that it was probably an RIA receiver. I categorized the stock as a replacement, and the Winchester butt plate as too good to be true, at the least it was a reblue. But for the price, I figured I couldn't do better, even with a replacement stock. Pics are at the link below. Additional info: muzzle of 1.5 and a throat at 3.

http://s429.photobucket.com/user/danohudson/library/

[bruce]

I am to ignorant to know what to look for in such a rifle. From what I can see, you have a very nice rifle. I'd be thrilled to have such a rifle to take to the range and out into the woods and fields hunting. Sincerely. bruce.

[Rick the Librarian]

If you're wondering if the receiver is legitimate, it is. Springfield used quite a few ex-RIA unmarked receivers or forgings in making NRA Sporters:

1295615SPT 102928DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1295616SPT 021829DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1295617SPT 020129DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1295618SPT 072929DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

I took a long look at this one, as I have #1295379 and like rifles made with RIA receivers. Mine is a NRA Sporter that was modified by Griffin & Howe and I bought it with the help and guidance of the late, great Michael Petrov a few years back.

312553125631257

[JimF]

. . . . . and the Winchester butt plate as too good . . . . .
http://s429.photobucket.com/user/danohudson/library/

I'm at a loss to figure out what led you to believe it is a Winchester butt plate!!

Looks to be a Springfield product to me. --Jim

[Fred]

If you're wondering if the receiver is legitimate, it is. Springfield used quite a few ex-RIA unmarked receivers or forgings in making NRA Sporters:

1295615SPT 102928DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1295616SPT 021829DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1295617SPT 020129DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1295618SPT 072929DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

I took a long look at this one, as I have #1295379 and like rifles made with RIA receivers. Mine is a NRA Sporter that was modified by Griffin & Howe and I bought it with the help and guidance of the late, great Michael Petrov a few years back.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31255&stc=1http://www.jouster.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31256&stc=1http://www.jouster.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31257&stc=1

Beautiful Rick! The G & H sporters are the top of the line in my opinion and I'd really like to own one some day.

[Ed Byrns]

Mr.M Mallard
The rifle is a real sporter.
1295617SPT 020129DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

Respectfully
Ed Byrns

[MoMallard]

Jim:

Yes. That was a colloquialism. Should be "Winchester" STYLE. It is indeed of Springfield manufacture.

[MoMallard]

RTL: Awesome G&H!!

[Herschel]

Congratulations on finding a fine 1903 NRA Sporter. As best I can see all parts are correct and probably original except for the front sight. A front sight will be easy to find and if you don't like the better aftermarket one that is one the rifle. Collectors refer to the buttplate on your rifle as a thick shotgun type buttplate. The finish on the buttplate does not look as shiny as most of them but it is the correct type.

[chuckindenver]

buttplate was called a shotgun style buttplate

[Rick the Librarian]

I helped a gentleman dispose of some M1903s a few years back and he gave me a "special" price on that NRA G&H-modified sporter. Normally, a sporterized M1903 of any kind wouldn't have been of interest. But, as I said, I hung around Michael Petrov too long and his collection of magnificent pre-WWII sporters started to rub off! It is now one of my favorites.

[EriCal]

For info and reference, I have 1295703 & 1343259 NRA Sporters; 1264566 G&H; 1288876 possible G&H; and a re-numbered Sedgley 1903.

Eric

[Rick the Librarian]

Would you have pictures, especially of the G&H modification?

[EriCal]

The G & H and possible G & H
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/RubEric/IMG_1659.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/RubEric/media/IMG_1659.jpg.html)http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/RubEric/IMG_1665.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/RubEric/media/IMG_1665.jpg.html)
The Sporters and and M2:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/RubEric/IMG_0813.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/RubEric/media/IMG_0813.jpg.html)
The Sedgley:http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/RubEric/42.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/RubEric/media/42.jpg.html)

If you wish an other specific photos of these, let me know.

Eric

[EriCal]

There was some q about butt plates. Here are some:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/RubEric/IMG_1595-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/RubEric/media/IMG_1595-1.jpg.html)

[Rick the Librarian]

Absolutely beautiful ...thanks for posting!

[Fred]

Wow! Super rifles! Thanks!!

[MoMallard]

A forum member PMd me with some concerns over the stock. When I bought it I had suspicions about the lack of a proof P but figured the price was right regardless. I knew the metal was genuine. He pointed out that there is a routed/inletted area behind the lug bed that is indicative of an M2 stock for .22 magazine relief. M2 stocks had no cross bolts. After looking at it carefully, you can see that it is indeed a M2 stock that someone very accurately added bolts to. They got the bolt placement perfect, based on pictorial reviews. However, look at the peening in the center of the cross bolts where someone drove them home, and some scratches and marring on the nut side where they used a screw driver to turn it. Swing and a foul tip if not a miss. Anybody got a sporter stock for sale?:>)

[Herschel]

The stock on your sporter is a 1922 stock, also known as NRA stock. The M2 stock has a butt to which a 1903 issue type stock will fit and it has grasping grooves in the fore end. You have a fine rifle, regardless of the replacement stock.

[Kragrifle]

On the subject of the magazine relief cut, I seem to remember reading somewhere that both 22 and 30 cal stocks will have this cut. The 30 cal rifles have the cross bolts added.