Since I found out about these two M1903s about 5-6 months ago, and the possible owner lives out of the country, I'm going to pass along the story of these rifles for information purposes, since the story is so interesting. There are two rifles, so I'll post about them separately.

About April of this year, I was contacted by a gentleman from France who said he had located two M1903s. I sometimes get questions from those living outside of North America and without fail, the rifles are usually cobbled together mixmasters. These two rifles apparently were left in France during or after World War I. My guess is they had been left in a residence or farm. The thing that is so amazing is that both were in original condition! The man was attempting to get them registered, so he did not tell me under what circumstances he found them, nor what area of France he found them. It would make an interesting story.

The first was a Springfield, #274477. It had a January 1907 barrel and other characteristics that appear to make it one of the M1903/05s in 30-03 caliber later modified and rebarreled in 30-06. It still has early, pre-1910 features, but must have made it to France during WWI.

DSCF1003 (2) (1024x768).jpgDSCF1007 (2) (1024x325).jpgDSCF1009 (1024x258).jpgDSCF1010 (1024x184).jpgDSCF1011 (437x1024).jpg