Short Rifle?

[1750Shooter]

At a local gun show a dealer had 2 A3s that had been cut down to 18" bbl. length. Trying to pass them off as "carbine prototypes" @ $3K each. Knew they were fake & said so loudly, but it got me thinking - was there ever talk about a short rifle?

[PhillipM]

Yes, it was a 1903, not an A3 called a Bushmaster for troops in the Panama Canal Zone. Zero remain today as they were all dumped at sea or converted back to regular rifles.

[Kragrifle]

Not sure about the statement that none exist !

[louis]

There also was an experimental version that had a peep sight no traditional rear sight what looks like a 03A3 handguard it was suppose to be made as a Calvary carbine. Good looking rifle better than the bushmaster.

[Sunray]

The '03 was a short rifle. Suitable for the PBI or Cavalry. That's also where the 'Short" in 'Short Magazine Lee-Enfield' comes from.
They used to say there were no Pedersen Devices in existence either.
https://books.google.ca/books?id=vb3dDN9FiekC&pg=PA82&lpg=PA82&dq=springfield+m1903+bushmaster&source=bl&ots=MaYfIvAXC-&sig=HrT_OPM9cFfir2jBdimf5FDUEBo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=cXpmT8KcH8eCtgfX963-DQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=springfield%20m1903%20bushmaster&f=false

[louis]

Brophy page 84 you'll see photos and a small info on the experimental 1903 carbine

[PhillipM]

I'm waiting for a Bushmaster to appear!

[louis]

That will be about the same as waiting for the prez to say Islamic terrorist

[Kragrifle]

Much rather see any Springfield than hear the Kenyan say anything.

[pickax]

Wasn't there some short rifle conversions done in the Phillipines?

[chuckindenver]

1903 Carbine, Cody arms museum.. basement level.
yes some are around.

[louis]

Chuck, is that the springfield factory version. Shown on page 84 of Brophy's book. It has a 18" barrel. It's a nice looking rifle.

[chuckindenver]

not sure, its been a while since iv seen the display. i have pictures someplace.

[Cosine26]

This is a picture of a M1903 modified in the Panama Canal zone as shown in either a 1941 or 1942 American Rifleman. The floor plate was stamped
"Modified by order of Colonel (I forget his name)". I do not know what happened to these rifloes
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o15/Cosine1/M1903/Carbine03_zpssmondvx9.jpg
FWIW

[m1903rifle]

I think that is the same picture shown in Brophy's book.

[chuckindenver]

i have that magazine someplace.. a few great pics of it

[Cosine26]

I also have the AR but just cannot fin d out which one the article appears in.