Unusually Fine M1903 Rifles on Gunbroker
Just noticed recently that a number of unusually fine M1903 rifles in relatively original condition have shown up on Gunbroker recently via a commercial seller (New Market Arms). Not sure of their provenance, but they may have come from the same collection or source:
- This is a fine condition Springfield Armory Model 1903 Rifle in .30-06 that was manufactured immediately after Springfield made the significant design modifications to the rifle, changing from the original Rod Bayonet Rifle to a blade bayonet rifle in 1905, and the Model 1906 alteration from the original .30-03 round to the new .30-06 round. This rifle now remains in its beautiful and unaltered Model 1906 configuration. The serial number of this 1903 Rifle is 195487, which was manufactured at Springfield Armory in early 1906. The receiver then stayed disassembled at the arsenal until the .30-06 round was finalized in late 1906, and the rear sight could be re-designed for the new round. It is likely, therefore, that this receiver was not completed as a Model 1906 modifications Model 1903 until 1907 when it was assembled with an original 1905 modification stock and a 1906 modification barrel.
- This is a fine condition Springfield Armory Model 1903 Rifle in .30-06 that was originally manufactured as a Rod Bayonet Rifle in 1904, the first full year of Model 1903 production. This rifle then went through the alterations that took place after adoption of the Model 1905 Bayonet and the Model 1906 alteration from the original .30-03 round to the new .30-06 round, and the rifle remains in the subsequent Model 1906 alteration condition, which probably took place around 1907. The serial number of this 1903 Rifle is 77618, which was manufactured at Springfield Armory in the summer of 1904. This rifle is sufficiently early enough that it was originally a complete Rod Bayonet Rifle. When the Model 1905 alteration was approved, remaining Model 1903 production stopped and production was further delayed by the adoption of the .30-06 cartridge in late 1906. It is likely, therefore, that this receiver was not completed as an altered Model 1903 until 1907 when it received the modified rod bayonet barrel, altered to .30-06, and dated ?05.?
- This is an extraordinarily rare and fine condition, Springfield Armory Model 1903 Rifle in its original .30-03 caliber that was manufactured in 1905. This rifle is very rare because it was one of the very few Model 1903 Rifles manufactured that remains in its 1905 modification configuration. Almost all of those rifles manufactured as 1905 modification rifles were subsequently modified to the .30-06 transition configuration.The serial number of this 1903 Rifle is 103069, which was manufactured at Springfield Armory in late 1905. This serial numbered receiver, however, was one of the few that was assembled during that period of less than a year as a 1903 rifle with the new stock, new handguard, new front barrel band with integrated bayonet lug, new style barrel still chambered in .30-03 caliber, and new Model 1905 sight that remained graduated in the .30-03 caliber.
Pricing is certainly premium, but it is nice to see these rifles in relatively pristine form where they can be appreciated for what they are. Full descriptions and pictures are available on Gunbroker or the New Market Arms website.
4 Attachment(s)
Early Springfield 1903 rifles
Those are really nice rifles in your above post and prices have advanced quite alot in the
past 20 -25 years. I found this Springfield from an estate sale in a remote area of Wisconsin.
Not having much knowledge of the Model 1903 (still don't) I noticed the "no bolt" stock,
which I had never seen before with a nice cartouche. The bore is nice and shinny too. From
what I can tell, the parts are all correct, serial number is 160963 and barrel dated SA 2-07Attachment 50083Attachment 50084Attachment 50085Attachment 50086
