1903 Springfield comes home after 25+ years

As I previously posted on these forums, I had a chance to pickup an old 1903 Springfield that belonged to me back in the 1980’s. As I wrote, I sold it to a friend when we were going off to college. After college the friend moved out of state and we lost touch until recently. During our conversation, he mentioned that he still had my “old Springfield”. After some talk, I asked if he’d be willing to sell it back to me since it had just been sitting in a closet in his parents home since he had moved out years ago. After finding out that it was a low serial number (and giving it some more thought), I offered him $300, and he accepted the offer. It came as pictured with the 30-40 Krag bayonet. When I owned it back in the 80’s, people generally just used them as deer rifles, not collectibles, so I hadn’t researched it previously, so I also bought the book pictured to learn more.

From what I’ve gathered so far (after only a quick glance at the book and rifle) is that my gun is a mixmaster. According to the serial number it was manufactured in 1904. From reading I expected it to be in an “S” stock, but it is in an RIA stock. The barrel has a marking I haven’t been able to find in my book yet “AV”,dated 11-18. The bolt is a later, swept back type. The sights seem to have been converted when they re-did the rifles for 30-06. The stock does have a crack (see picture) near the box magazine door. That about all I have learned so far.

If any of you can help me out with the finer details I sure would appreciate it. For instance, is it unusual for this receiver to be found in an RIA stock? I also notice two holes drilled into the right, rear of the receiver as if someone has maybe tried to put on a peepsight or something? Can anyone confirm if this is true, or are the two holes and the associated cut in the stock of military origin? I don’t see anything on the gun that is overtly WWII. Do any of you think this gun was still in service for WWII? Right now I plan on using it as a wall hanger in my man cave, but I may decide to trade it on one that I can shoot. If I do, what kind of trade value, or sale value could I realistically expect to get from a low serial numbered Springfield with the features pictured? Any and all feedback on the guns history, features, and value in regard to condition and being that it is a low serial number are greatly appreciated. Thanks for any help.

Hi fellas, I appreciate the responses. Yes, it was shot enough to require a barrel change, and it would be nice if there was some way to tell if these low numbered rifles were safe to shoot. As for the swept back bolt, yes, those are of the later (safe) type, but it is a replacement on this particular rifle, so it doesn't mean that my early numbered rifle is safe to shoot. I really wanted a shooter, but I figured for $300 I wouldn't be out much, and I'd get a neat piece of history (and non-sporterized) for my collection.

Wojownik,

Thanks very much for the detailed info. I couldn't find anything about Avis in my book.

Also thanks to everyone else for the comments and info. I do appreciate any help in learning about this rifle.

In truth, I'm hesitant to shoot it even though I realize the chances of a problem are most likely minimal. Still I don't think I'll take a chance. I would have passed on the rifle based on the serial number if it wasn't what I thought was a good enough deal that I wouldn't lose money on it if I tried to sell it sometime. I also like that it has a lot of history, and most likely saw service in both WWI and WWII, and places in between.

I was told previously that the bayonet is for a Krag rifle. I guess it will work on a Springfield, but it is shorter than the Springfield bayonet. Mine is interestingly dated 1903 on one side and stamped U.S. on the other. It's in rough shape. Some rust on the handle, and the portion that is supposed to slide over the barrel has been crushed somehow. Still a neat piece of history. I've was told that 30-40 Krag bayonets go for around $100. Not sure how to tell if the sling on the rifle is original.

Thanks, PJSprog. It was neat getting it back. I figured it was long gone, but it had been sitting in a closet for the last 20something years.

fpgt72,

I hear you on shooting the Springfield. It sounds like the issue is rare.

That is a great display case table. I'd like to eventually build some nice display cases, but for now I have my rifles sitting in some handmade wooden rifle racks. Other rifles in the racks include a Garand, M1 Carbine, No4MK1, K98, T38 & 99 Arisaka, Mosin Nagant rifle and revolver. I also have several WWII helmets, and other WWII items displayed around the room (including WWII newspapers framed on the walls). Nothing fancy, but I like it. Even my wife admits it's interesting.

I would like to pick up a correct bayonet sometime.

Thanks for the comments.

Hi MkVII, yes, I've learned that these were fairly common on the commercial market. Left some ugly holes in my receiver, but for $300 I figure I could have done worse. Thanks for the response.

Manny, thanks for the helpful tip, but I currently do not do any reloading. Sounds like a good idea, though.

My basement "Cave" is a continual work in progress (already changed from the somewhat dated pictures below), and although I'd love to get a table/crate like the one pictured, or something similar, for now I'm utilizing several homemade racks. Currently I have the two gun rack, and the five gun racks pictured below, and I also have another 4 gun rack not pictured (the Springfield is in this rack), but of the same design as the others. Not a great way of displaying (can't see the rifles in profile as I'd like), but these racks allow me to easily secure them, and there is no danger of them falling. Hope to one day fix it up into a more visually attractive display, but I like it enough for now. I've got a lot of framed WWII newspapers and other artifacts scattered about the room, and I find it very enjoyable to sit and entertain among these items which were previously relegated to boxes, cabinets, closets, etc., where I didn't get much pleasure out of them. If I get around to it this weekend, I'll try to take a picture that shows all three racks in one photo.