M1903 Fans?

[jdlii]

My Dad purchased a 1903 Springfield for $39.95 in the mid sixties after seeing an ad in the local newspaper. Montgomery Ward had advertised "U.S. 1903 Springfield rifles, arsenal new in crates" and they were in the arsenal crates with ten rifles per crate.

It had a healthy coating of cosmoline but, cleaned up well. It has an interesting cartouche mark from Utah and Mr. Keith's initials.

 

[PALADIN85020]

My Dad purchased a 1903 Springfield for $39.95 in the mid sixties after seeing an ad in the local newspaper. Montgomery Ward had advertised "U.S. 1903 Springfield rifles, arsenal new in crates" and they were in the arsenal crates with ten rifles per crate.

It had a healthy coating of cosmoline but, cleaned up well. It has an interesting cartouche mark from Utah and Mr. Keith's initials.

That's certainly ol' Elmer's inspection stamp. I also have one stamped OGEK, but with no box around it. Turns out it's the stamp of Ed Klouser, who also worked at the Ogden arsenal.

John

 

[jlrhiner]

Another '42 Remington;

 

[Valmet]

I'm fortunate enough to have a 1903A1 National Match. I'm a sucker for anything with a Lyman rear ladder sight.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I would love one, but they are pretty pricey here if they still work and compete with an M1 for safe space.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Huge fan here! I especially love the Model 1903. A 1913 Rock Island Arsenal, a 1918 Springfield, and a 1942 Smith Corona '03A3 live here as well as a 1932 Model 1922AII in .22 Long Rifle.

Used to have 14 different '03s representing all the makers and variants except for the original rod bayonet rifle. One of the rifles once owned from 1905 was a period conversion of a rod bayonet. Became enthused about Model 1903s after the Brophy 1903 book came out.

Here are three photographs

Rock Island - an unmolested example with original blue finish, single bolt stock, and with barrel dated 8-13. It is shot on occasion, low-number dithering by others be hanged.


Smith Corona '03A3 - A low serial number example for the block of numbers assigned to Smith Corona with a six-groove barrel marked SC and dated 12-42. Stock is scant grip replacement, but that's the way I bought the rifle. My first center fire rifle, purchased from a pawn shop in 1975. First two deer ever taken were shot with it. Used in high-power competition for about five years and the rifle allowed me to improve and gave a good account of itself.




Springfield Model 1922AII - Barrel dated 4-32. Features original blue finish. Traded "up" for this rifle for small bore competition from a Remington Model 513T I originally had.

 

[kmyers]

Years ago we did have a Springfield, no longer with us. One of our neighbors IS a Marine, you never stop being one, who enlisted in January 1942 and served in the 1st Marine Division. Better half here has known them both for 20 years or so and consider them like another set of grandparents. The rifle he went through boot camp was a 1903 and we invited him and his wife to join us for some shooting and range time. With the '03 being what he trained on and he had a bit of nostalgia firing it it became a gift from us to him. For some reason to both Wendy and I it just seemed right and proper that it go to an old warrior. He and his wife still joins us when we got out for some shooting time, both enjoy it. His wife really likes K frames in both .22 LR and .38 Special, so another gift to them may be in the future.

 

[bulletslap]

I like them, great rifles. I am down to two. A WW2 refurb And A 20's era target rifle.

 

[andyo5]

I got one years ago from the CMP and still have it. It M1903 built in 1933 as I recall, from the serial number. It has a C stock and was rebarreled at some point with a High Standard barrel, marked "HS 1942" with a flaming bomb symbol. I believe that it was returned to the gov'mint from Greece, and it went on to the CMP. The barrel looked new when it arrived. No pitting at all. It is a great shooter. I use the aperture on the ladder rear sight and the yardage markings produce accurate results out to at least 500 yards.

 

[DWalt]

At least to me, the superiority of the 03A3 over the 03 is that it has a peep rear sight, and a pretty good one at that. I would far rather go into combat with the 03A3, as I would be much more likely to hit the enemy using it. I have a very difficult time using the 03 rear sight.

 

[Puller]

At least to me, the superiority of the 03A3 over the 03 is that it has a peep rear sight, and a pretty good one at that. I would far rather go into combat with the 03A3, as I would be much more likely to hit the enemy using it. I have a very difficult time using the 03 rear sight.

I agree with you that the 03A3 sights are better. Although the official guidance is that the aperture sight developed for the 03A3 was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Ordinance Department and Remington Arms, I have previously read in one of my reference books that John C. Garand was the primary designer of that sight.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I agree with you that the 03A3 sights are better. Although the official guidance is that the aperture sight developed for the 03A3 was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Ordinance Department and Remington Arms, I have previously read in one of my reference books that John C. Garand was the primary designer of that sight.

Pretty much the same rear sight was utilized on the M1 carbines of later manufacture, and the arsenal upgraded ones. Calibrated for the punier M1 Carbine cartridge, though.

John

 

[Gene L]

I read that the 03A3 sights were like the more common M1 sights so they would have the same sights for training and familiarity purposes. Plus, they were far better sights.

 

[DWalt]

I once destroyed an 03A3 rear sight trying to remove it. Very difficult to remove.

 

[Trooper224]