School Me on Springfield 1903s

[Double Vision]

Today I went to a gun show we visit periodically. Despite the laughably high prices for guns and ammo, it's an excuse to meet my cousin for lunch.

I wasn't planning on buying anything today, until I stumbled on two Remington and Springfield 1903s next to each other. They both appeared to have been reparkerized and with newer stocks. The Springfield stock was marked SA SPG. I went so far as to get a bore light and the barrel looked good, although a little dirty.

The Remington was going for about $900 and the Springfield for $949. In short, they were both the best-looking 1903s I've ever seen. There were several more at the show in the $700+ range that looked like they went through, well, the war!

I hemmed and hawed about the Springfield for a long time before finally walking away. Even though I have a few Garands, I don't know much about the 1903s and didn't want to make an impulse purchase. Now I think I'll be dreaming about the 1903.

So, how are the 1903s as shooters, is $949 a fair price for a pristine rifle and should I have taken that Springfield home today?

 

[mookiie]

Well 900 is a bit high. Did you check who made them and check the parts to - make sure it is not mismatched rebuild or one of those drill rifle refurbs. Also are they straight 1903 or 1903A3s? 1903A3 have peep sights and different stocks.

 

[Slamfire]

Very few M1903's are all original as from the factory. Those would be worth far more than a rebuild, though an Arsenal rebuild is a perfectly fine rifle.

If you are looking for a M1903 only look at Springfield Receivers above 800,000 and Rock Island Receivers over 285, 507. Below those serial numbers are the single heat treat receivers, receivers so variable in quality, so structurally weak, that in 1927 an Army board recommended scrapping them all.

The nickle steel M1903's are perhaps the best as nickel steel has a higher yield and more elasticity than the plain carbon steels used in any of the double heat treat or single heat treat receivers. The SA receivers start at 1,275, 767, the RIA start at 319,921.

The Remington made M1903's are fine, they are made from nickel steel or 8620 and were made in 1941 s when process controls were more advanced than in WW1. These have been hard to find and you may never see an actual Remington M1903.

The M1903A3's are all fine and easier to shoot as the things have receiver sights back on the receiver bridge.

If you plan to shoot case bullets the M1903A3's with two groove barrels shoot cast bullets better than the four groove barrels, at least in my experience.

 

[Float Pilot]

yes, my mint condition Smith Corona 1903-A3 hates cast lead bullets so far... It has a 4 groove S.C. marked barrel.

I have paid over $800 for a nice Remington made (matching) 1903.. many were turned into sporters and there are only a few left.

here is a list of known Remington made 1903s from 1941 and 42,,

http://www.vishooter.net/R03.txt

 

[Double Vision]

The one I looked at had a leaf sight and if memory serves the serial number was in the 1.4 million range.

 

[Danny Creasy]

Read Hatcher's Notebook.

 

[Float Pilot]

The Remington 1903s were made on machinery that they obtained from the old Rock island Arsenal. The Remington 1903 serial numbers started around 3,000,000 and went up to around 3,450,000... I think....

A 1,500,000 range serial number Springfield made 1903 would have been made sometime in the 1937 to 1939 time period... the 1.4 million serial number range was around 1930 or 1931 up until 1936 or so... Maybe... It is late and I am tired so maybe I am not remembering this correctly.

Things like stock type, matching company (armory parts) and of course the barrel dates and condition, all make a huge difference in price range.

30 years ago I did not know what I had and I let a 1903-A1 ( match grade rifle with a C style pistol grip stock) go for much less than it was worth because I let the buyer convince me the stock was incorrect....

 

[highpower]

Remington '03's are the easiest of all the 1903 rifles to determine if they are original, or at least a quality restoration. Nearly every small part on a Remington built rifle will have a small "R" on it. This includes the bolt, bolt sleeve, firing pin and striker, upper and lower band, triggerguard and floorplate, sear and trigger, ejector, etc. Also, later 03 Remington stocks will only be cut for an 03 action but won't have fingergrooves in the stock. Springfield and Rock Island rifles are a bit harder to find in original condition as nearly all of them have been through a arsenal rebuild or two. Buy the reference books before you buy the rifle, trust me, it will cost you a lot less in the long run.

For reference, here is a late 1942 Remington 1903 with pictures of the markings. Mfg. Sept 1942





Sight parts are marked "R" and the base does not have the scallops.


Absence of finger grooves compared to a post WWI rebuilt Springfield


This is a 1918 Springfield. Note the "high hump" hand guard as compared to the guard on the 03 Remington. The later type came into use after WWI, sometime around 1920 ish.


For reference, here is a '03-A3 Remington, showing the cartouches. If you see these on any other rifle besides a Remington 'A3, the stock is not correct for it.