Picked up "Sporterized" rifle. Need help with identification.
- Thread starter moabman
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kimporter
Member
its a 1903 springfield,very well done too.
Looks like It's a Springfield 03 (WW1 and 2 battle rifle) People that know much more about this gun than I do will chime in
deadin
US Veteran
Looks like a Springfield M1903 of some ilk. That serial is higher than the listed range for the 1903 and lower then the range for the 1903A3.
It also looks like something the engraver replaced when doing the receiver engraving....
Nice looking sporter....
It also looks like something the engraver replaced when doing the receiver engraving....
Nice looking sporter....
Jack Flash
Member
At the risk of telling you something you already know, it "should be" chambered for the .30-06 cartridge, unless the chambering/barrel was also modified. If you don't know how to verify this, have a gunsmith help you out.
The magazine cut off is used to enable or disable the magazine. That is, set it to "OFF" to make the rifle a single shot. This was considered a proper feature for a military rifle back in the late 1800s / early 1900s. Kind of a way to put it in "anti-spray and pray" mode.
The magazine cut off is used to enable or disable the magazine. That is, set it to "OFF" to make the rifle a single shot. This was considered a proper feature for a military rifle back in the late 1800s / early 1900s. Kind of a way to put it in "anti-spray and pray" mode.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Regardless of SN it is a 1903-A3 Springfield. Note the dovetail base for the rear sight on the receiver bridge! 4th picture on 1st post by O.P.
Too bad they didn't use a milled magazine/floorplate instead of the WWII period stamped version! That's all that detracts from a nice rifle.
Too bad they didn't use a milled magazine/floorplate instead of the WWII period stamped version! That's all that detracts from a nice rifle.
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gregintenn
Member
That appears to be a wonderful 03-a3 Springfield Sporter. I've never seen anything like that at a yard sale.
OFT II
US Veteran
That is one fine looking rifle. Is it a Remington or a Smith Corona?
Arik
Member
Really? To me sporterizing it detracted most valuable. The rifle is still fine shooting but value wise .....
Not sure of the manufacturer. I would also like to know who did the engraving if at all possible. I don't see any stamps or signatures. I am hoping someone here can point me in the right direction. I would like to know the value also, its obvious someone put alot of work into it. My local gunsmith wasn't much help. Thanks!
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Texas Star
US Veteran
That stamped trigger guard on what is obviously a Springfield action was the immediate giveaway.
I'm going to guess this was a "local" gunsmith project sometimes in the 50's. It appears to be pretty well done, with nice features. It is a "custom" rifle, and therefore a one of a kind made to individual specifications. Check out the caliber, it is often stamped in the barrel on the left side just forward of the action. If it is not marked, take it to a gunsmith and have him determine the caliber, he may have to make up a mold in the chamber and measure that. Most custom gunsmith's would sign their work, some may have put their markings on the bottom of the action/barrel so that you might have to remove the barreled action from the stock to see it. With no markings at all I tend to believe it was a serious hobbyist.
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Yep, that and the receiver bridge is flat next to the bolt handle. A 1903 has a machined half moon in that area. Serial number is total fantasy. Springfield armory numbers only went to 1.53 million, Remington started at 3000009, Smith Corona at 3.6 million. That said, it is still a nice rifle and an excellent example of the post war conversion of surplus rifles.
Have seen several similar and a couple of Mausers that were done in primarily Germany shortly after WWII during occupation. Many craftsmen were out of work and quality work was very inexpensive.
My father bought a numbers matching Model 1903 and K-98 German Mauser through the NRA in the 1950s for $50.00 each. He sporterized the both at home and had a gunsmith do the bolt and the bluing on the Springfield. I think the safety is different on the 1903 versus the 1903-A3 as well. Here are some pictures to show the differences.
Attachments
Harrison
US Veteran
Value would vary from region to region. Basically whatever someone in your area is willing to pay for it, If it was customized by Griffin & Howe, or a nationally known gunsmith, it is worth a lot more than if it was done by a local smith.
Looks like the gunsmith/engraver removed the markings and ser# on the original rifle during the sporterizing process.
The current ser# looks like a later hand stamped addition. It doesn't fit the sequence of either the S/C or R/A 03-A3 production.
Maybe the gun was a gunsmithing trade school project and the re-addition of a serial number was at the stern suggestion of the course instructor.
No idea on a value. It does have that late 60's style to it with the inlays, stock styling, jeweling, ect.
The rear sight looks way over to the right,,but that may just be the pic. If it is and that's where it needs to be to hit center,,check the front sight to see if it's off kilter,,or a bent bbl or really bad stock forend bedding pressure.
Check the caliber & the headspace. Clean the bore, shine up the silver inlayed deer head, take it out and have fun with it.
The current ser# looks like a later hand stamped addition. It doesn't fit the sequence of either the S/C or R/A 03-A3 production.
Maybe the gun was a gunsmithing trade school project and the re-addition of a serial number was at the stern suggestion of the course instructor.
No idea on a value. It does have that late 60's style to it with the inlays, stock styling, jeweling, ect.
The rear sight looks way over to the right,,but that may just be the pic. If it is and that's where it needs to be to hit center,,check the front sight to see if it's off kilter,,or a bent bbl or really bad stock forend bedding pressure.
Check the caliber & the headspace. Clean the bore, shine up the silver inlayed deer head, take it out and have fun with it.
Big Cholla
Member
I saw that type of rebuilding of 03-A3s many years ago fairly often. They were almost always the work of German gunsmiths or Japanese Gunsmiths. All were 'bring backs' by American Servicemen. This one could very well be the result of having been rebarreled and stocked in Germany and then years later being engraved in Japan for a wandering Serviceman. The stockwork just 'looks' German to me; while the engraving looks Japanese to me.
Pull the metal work out of the stock and look very carefully for identification, proof marks, gunsmith signature, etc. You might learn just a little more about the rifle. It wouldn't hurt to get a chamber cast done to positively identify the caliber. The barrel stamping could be one thing while the actual caliber could be something else. .............
Pull the metal work out of the stock and look very carefully for identification, proof marks, gunsmith signature, etc. You might learn just a little more about the rifle. It wouldn't hurt to get a chamber cast done to positively identify the caliber. The barrel stamping could be one thing while the actual caliber could be something else. .............
