1903 Springfield Experts?

[jimlongley]

I was wondering if there are any 1903 Springfield experts on this board? I tried to register with GB and ask the folks over there but they have some sort of issue going on.

Anyway, a few days ago a neighbor brought over 3 weapons for me to look at. 2 of them were pure junk and dangerous. The third one was a 1903 Springfield Sporter model. I am familiar with the 1903 A3 military version of this rifle but I have never seen anything like this before. Based on the serial number it was manufactured in 1921 and then re-barreled in 1924. Its serial number is 123xxxx. What is unique about this weapon is the engraved stock. What I am interested in finding out is what kind of sights does this thing have and what kind of value (in general) does the rifle have? I can email pics if you can help. If anyone can help me get more information on this weapon, I would sure appreciate it.

Back when I bought my '03-A3 from the DCM (for $19.00 if I remember correctly) they were selling like hotcakes and were very popular as a base for a sporter. Lots of cut down stocks, lots of shortened and polished up barrels and actions and new sights. Is this what you have? And if it is, the value is probably not very high, although some pretty masterful jobs were turned out.

[MoJo]

You seem to have a "sporterized" M 1903 rifle with what looks like a Lyman 48 rear sight with a GI front sight base. If the serial number is over one million it's a "high number" and is made of modern heat treated steel. Those 1903 rifles under the one million mark are "low number" and the steel was brittle making them unsafe to fire.

There would be little or no collector value, but it's a great range/hunting gun. Scope bases are available. The action will need to be drilled and tapped by a qualified gunsmith.

[kragluver]

Concur with the above - no collectors value, probably a $300-$350 rifle. The S/N makes that receiver safe to shoot assuming the rest of the rifle is in good shape. The cutoff for low number Springfields is around 800K and about 250K for Rock Island rifles.

If the barrel is in good shape, it is likely a fine deer rifle.

[IChangIT]

Sweet engraving if anything!

[jimlongley]

Concur.