What did I inherit? see pics

[Jimstr]

I have a Springfield Armory model 1903
SN 1286780 ( or l286780?)
W A Sukalle barrel 30-06
Redfield international matched front and rear sights

Any info would be greatly appreciated...

collectable or a shooter?
This was inherited to my brother and is destined for his son (my 17 yr old nephew)

should I keep this for him and buy him a new 30-06 to hunt with?

TIA,

Jim

 

[5-Shot]

Sukalle was a pretty famous barrel maker years ago. I'll dig through old Gun Digests and see what I can find. I don't think I'd change a thing on that old Springfield.

Ed

 

[Jyezahn]

Got any pics of the full rifle?

 

[5-Shot]

I've done a little more research. There's a nice article about Sukalle in the 1963 edition of Gun Digest. "Shooting Steel" on page 129. It contains the tidbit that Elmer's experimental OKH rifle used to develop "duplex" loads had a Sukalle barrel. With the help of Google I discovered Jack O'Conner also had a Sukalle rifle.

Ed

 

[Jimstr]

full size pic

Got any pics of the full rifle?

here ya go

 

[Alpo]

OH MY GOD!!!

It's been BUBBAED!!!!!!!!!

That is the correct response, right? Someone took a military surplus rifle and had the AUDACITY to sporterize it. HOW DARE THEY?????

I know I see it all the time, so that MUST BE the correct response.

But, since I seldom go along with the crowd - I think it's a nice-lookin' gun.

Shoot it, by all means. It's what it was meant for.

 

[wheelgun28]

I think its an interesting rifle.

Most mil rifles that get sporterized have very little value. The value becomes what original parts remain.

However this rifle I dont think is sporterized, its not a hack job to make a hunting rifle or a truck gun.

The way it looks to me is that someone used a 1903 action and built a custom target rifle out of it. My guess is that it was used in bench rest or some discipline similar to that.

I'd also wager that, the bolt was fit, the lugs trued and lapped. The trigger was well worked and smooth as butter with a light break.

My guess is someone spent a boat load of money on it.

Does it have a magazine, if it does how many round will it hold. I do see that magazine shut off but I dont see a box in the stock.

In the end most sporterized 1903s arent collectible or desirable. This gun isnt that, its in its own class. I think it has value and might be collectible for exactly what it has been made into.

I's shoot it, make sure its in good mechanical condition, the bore is clean, oil her up a bit. I would buy some Hornady A-Max or Hornady Springfield Garand ammo. These arent souped up loads they are more inline as to what the original ammo was like.

Id bet (if the barrel and throat are still good) off the bench 200 yards it will hold a group the size of a quarter!!

 

[Bill_inBouse]

I would agree with wheelgun, I think someone made a darn fine target rifle out of the Springfield. Take it out and shoot it, then let us know how it went.

 

[Jimstr]

Thanks guys,

I had to ship this rifle from California to an FFL dealer here in ohio...the dealer was very interested to buy it...his wife shoots competition.

So, it appears you are right...somebody customed this

no mag...I will clean her up and take to the range...will follow up at a later date

thx again,

Jim

 

[Damn Yankee]

I second what the other posters have said but you need to put some slippers on or you gonna catch cold.

 

[A10]

That is a nicely set up rifle! I'm betting it's extremely accurate. I'd get a little oil on that rear sight.......looks like some rust is coming on.

 

[Lost Lake]

If you pull the sights and go with a scope, I'd be interested in the sights.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I run into these frequently with different brands of military rifles. Some are Bubba jobs and can be restored if they haven't been tapped or permanently damaged and some are done professionally to attain maximum accuracy. Your gun appears to be done professionally. The last one I dealt with was a 1917 Eddystone that had been converted into a target rifle by a now extinct California company. A little research revealed that the company imported military rifles and sold them as is except for incomplete guns. They took these and customized them into shooters. It made me feel a little better that they weren't butchering original rifles. Your gun is not collectible but lots of folks, including me, would love to have it for a shoooter. Shoot it untill the barrel melts and have fun doing it.

 

[H Richard]

The only thing left from an original Springfield is the action. It has been custom re-barreled and re-stocked into a NRA High Power Match Rifle. My guess would be sometime in the 50's or possibly the 60's. Since the barrel maker was of some note, it would have some value as a custom by him. Take it out and shoot it and I'll bet it shoots very good. I would keep it in that same configuration and not mess with it. It would not make a good hunting rifle.

 

[TLflag]

Rifle

One thing you can count on is whoever did the work did it with class as Sukalle was a very good barrel maker. He was in Phoenix Az and very well known. I have one or his barrels on a 250-3000.

 

[BigBill]

Looks like an awesome target rifle. Congrats to the new owner. The rework looks to be a very high quality job too. I don't mind reworking an old war horse but it has to be done right. I do builds from military parts rifles and i end up with a better quality rifle than you can purchase today for $200 and under. I save many bubba jobs and put them back to there orginal condition too. But my builds do look awesome. I also have collectables that are untouched too. I have taken really old dogs and made them look great again.

 

[Sprefix]

I'd bet this is going to be a very solid and reliable rifle. I'd personally choose the history and solid feel of the "warhorse" over any of the new rifles offered today(in the scope of your question). I'll wager that a trip tp the range will make up your mind for you. Shoot safely.......

 

[growr]

It appears to me that it was some one's "across the course" NRA High Power Match rifle of yesteryear.

Personally, I would leave it as is.....the workmanship appears to be VERY well done. Should be a VERY accurate rifle with good match ammo....ie try some standard loads with a 168 grn Sierra Match King and watch the rounds keep going into the same hole over and over again!!


Randy

 

[Cyrano]

Looks to me like a rifle for prone shooting: very straight stock and abrupt pistol grip. I agree that it is very accurate, if not shot out. If it were mine, I'd clean the barrel thoroughly with one of the copper fouling removers, before you try it for accuracy.

 

[rwsmith]

It looks to me

It looks to me like it is just itchin' to be shot.