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Lot 1361:WWI U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle

May 14th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Lot 1361:WWI U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle

May 14th, 2022|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$5,000 - $7,000

Outstanding World War I U.S Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle

This exceptional WWI production M1903 rifle has the parkerized finish adopted by Springfield Armory in late 1918 on the receiver, bolt, barrel, upper barrel band, buttplate, trigger guard and floor plate. Smaller parts, including the cocking piece, bolt sleeve, extractor, rear sight, lower barrel band, band spring, rear sight base, sling swivels and stacking swivel have a blued finish. The "Style S" stock and 'High Hump" hand guard are oil finished walnut. The stock has the second reinforcing bolt added in 1917. The rifle has the fine checkered buttplate and grooved trigger guard re-introduced by Springfield Armory in late 1918. The rifle safety has the standard block letter markings. The magazine cut-off has serifed markings indicating it was manufactured at Rock Island Arsenal (Springfield Armory used Rock Island Arsenal manufactured magazine cut-offs on 1918 and 1919 production rifles after Springfield began production of the special cut-offs for M1903 Mark I rifles in late 1918). The folding leaf rear sight has a bright finished face and correctly lacks the 2850 yard volley notch eliminated in late 1918 with small, dished, elevation knob and large, dished, windage knob. The receiver has the standard Springfield markings with serial number. The barrel is stamped "S.A/Ordnance Shell and Flame/11-18" behind the front sight. A block "H' is stamped on the bottom of the bayonet lug. The right side of the lower barrel band is stamped with a block "U" facing the muzzle. The left side of the stock wrist behind the magazine cut-off is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark consisting of the block initials "D.A.L." in a rectangle. An encircled, block, "P" proof mark is stamped on the bottom of the stock wrist behind the trigger guard. The face of the front sight and base have a matching alignment mark and the receiver bolt channel is bright. WWI production M1903 rifles are scarce in unaltered configuration and rarely encountered in un-issued condition. Provenance: William S. Brophy Collection, Richard Ellis Collection, Private Collection

ConditionNear new, as-issued. This rifle is all original and remains in nearly new condition with only minimal storage and handling wear. 99% of the parkerized and military blue finish remains. The bolt shows very light cycling wear. The oil-finished stock and forearm are in nearly new condition with sharp grasping groove edges and untouched, raised grain. The Ordnance final inspection and proof marks are perfect. The war-time production Model 1903 rifles lacked the commercial blue and casehardened finish found on Model 1903 riles produced prior to the outbreak of war in April 1917 but retained the legendary Springfield Armory quality. This is a rare example of an un-issued, 1918 production Springfield M1903 rifle from the collection of the author of "THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLES" that would be nearly impossible to upgrade.

Details

ManufacturerSpringfield Armory U.S.

Model1903

TypeRifle

Serial number

ClassCurio & Relic Long Gun

Caliber / Gauge30-06

Barrel24 inch

Finishparkerized

Stockwalnut

Bore conditionBright - Shows little or no wear

Item LocationRock Island, IL