Springfield 1903 Rifle

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BigG

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I have knowledge of a Springfield 1903 rifle made by Rock Island Arsenal. The SN is in the 142XXX range.

Looking in the Blue Book, I am fairly shocked at the amounts being shown for these guns in better condition. This gun is complete, and looks in unfired condition. I would guess from my past reading that this low a number would be dangerous to fire, but it is an honest 95% condition, at least. Would I be remiss to pay $1,000 for this rifle?

Any comments or enlightenment, approx year of manufacture? are of course welcome.

TIA
 
The rifle was made in 1908. For Rock Island the improved heat treatment started at 285507and introduction of nickel steel started at 319921.
 
IIRC, the blue book listed 100% rifles in the mid $2000's , which I thought was a little steep.

The one you are looking at is a low numbered rifle. These were often improperly heat treated, hardening the metal excessively. There is a great debate going on over whether or not these rifles are safe to shoot, think along the lines of a 9mm v. 45 debate. The general consensus is that the rifle is safe to shoot with modern ammo, with the understanding that if you do have an issue with a case letting go, there will be no margin of error. Inconsistant ammo in the early 1900's is often to blame for the number of blow ups, but one factory misload could do the same. The rifle will probably let go. Or, it may not, because it could have been heat treated properly. But there is no way to tell the difference between a properly heat treated, and an improperly heat treated one.

If it were me, I'd pass. CMP has High number 03's, and 03A3's for $400. These are perfectly safe to shoot. Their low number rifles are $300.
 
Jeff: No, the Blue Book runs somenthing like $5,000 for a pristine 1903 in complete condition, withou reference to manufacturer (RI or Sprgfld) or SN. Maybe they are optimistic?

Vern, I don't believe the DCM would sell you an original 1903 in pristine condition for $300?

The gun I'm asking about looks to be collector grade ~
 
Buy it as a collector, not a shooter then. The lack of use is probably why it looks so good. I'm sure $1000 would not be out of line.
 
Yeah, I do think $5000 for a pristine 03 is a bit optomistic. Maybe for one of the early ones in .30-'03 and configured for the rod bayonet.

I don't think $1000 is out of line for a nice collector, though. Just wanted to let you know of the problems with low numbered 03's, and say that if you meant to shoot it a lot, it probably wouldn't be the best choice.
 
That is good price for a collector's grade '03. Make sure you are getting what you are paying for - an original rifle in original condition...i.e. no rebuild, correct cartouches, correct barrel, parts, stock, good bore, etc. etc.

Prices on all this WW1 & ww2 stuff just keeps getting higher and higher - if it is legit it is a purchase you won't loose on.
 
Shield20 and others:

What would be "correct?" I have little knowledge of the American martial long arms. The Springfield 1903 site referenced above unfortunately doesn't give much detail that I can see.

Other than if the left side of stock has initials on it indicating a rebuild, I have no idea if parts have been replaced or are "correct." Thank you all, again!
 
Some of the parts were stamped with a letter designating a manufacturer, IIRC. Some parts were made differently over the years, teh bolt handel for example. I couldn't tell you how to determine a correct one, though.
 
Ahhh - tough question - Alot of info there - and pictures are definelty needed to explain. Real obvious would be:

A barrel marked RIA over the flaming Bomb over the month & year of Manufacter (1908? 1910?). i.e. "5-10"
NO rebuild markings! (another set of other initials)
A cartouche with CN over the year in a box, but possibly a boxed WJS or JES.
Blued finish.
Typs S stock with finger grooves.
High-hump handguard with no groove.
Probably smooth butt plate (changed in 1910).
A single Stock Bolt.
All parts forged or machined (no stampings)

1910 was a transition year - Brody lists the year of manu. as 1910, a previous poster said 1908. Should be somewhere in this range.

BTW, an original rifle this old, this condition especially, is pretty damn rare - scap it up if it is original!
 
It seems to me the gun was parkerized, although I am not certain. It was no high polish blue, I can tell you that, and the finish intergrity was as perfect as I've seen. Have to take another look-see...
 
blued -

Thanks, armed with the above facts, I will be able to make a more informed assessment. :D
 
OK you history buff's. I have an 03A3. It was grand dad's deer rifle. The stock has been sporterized but still has the forearm top and barrell band in place. Front sight is still there. But the rear peep is in a jar on the shelf. I've put a Burris scope mount on it years ago with a Leupold 3-9 and a Timney trigger. The original trigger lives with the rear sight in the jar. Otherwise, the reciever and barrell are in great condition. And it shoots my hand loads to minute of angle as long as they're 180grn or better. The reciever is glass beaded and the barrel is free floated. (Even at the barrel band) The finish is like a parkerization, but it's more dark green than black. No rust. Somewhere on the bolt it says Remington. Or REM. But the original flip over safety is there.

So without looking for the serial number... What's this thing worth? From one of the posts earlier, there's mention of several markings that would indicate manufacture location and steel hardness. What should I look for to give you experts more information on it's value as a collector? Original stocks are plentiful, aren't they? I guess I only need to know the value for insurance purposes. I don't ever plan on selling it. It shoots too good and has been part of the family for near a hundred years.

Does anyone know of an aftermarket floor plate that will allow me to use a magazine?

-Steve
 
Steve, if the receiver ring has been drilled and tapped for the scope mount, and it sounds like it has, your gun is worth about $250 to $350. IF it had been sporterized by a well known gunsmith like Griffen and Howe it would be worth more, BUT it wasn't done by them, they used completely new stocks. It would be worth mosr in original condition, unless something very special or spectacular had been done in sporterizing. A modified military stock is about the most common home sporterization method. Has the barrel been cut back, does it still have the date on the barrel and the original front sight? Barrel should be 24" from the face of the bolt to the muzzle. check it with a rod down the barrel if unsure how to accuratly measure otherwise. Generally, everything that changes them from original is points against value.

As fas as being in the family for almost 100 years, the 03-A3 model did not come out until 1943, so go from there.

The maker should be marked on top of the front receiver ring, which will likely be under the front scope mount,

I've not heard of any aftermarket detachable magazine setup for these guns. One could possibly be fabricated, but that would cost serious money to get it done right.
 
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