WWII Springfield 1903 US U.S. .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1929 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1000

LSB#: 220109RB052

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: 1903

Serial Number: 1329718

Year of Manufacture: 1929 (page 373 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition)
Barrel Date: September, 1929

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903 / 1329718”. The top of the barrel is marked “S A / flaming bomb / 9 – 29” . The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “1” and with a punch. The right rear of the bolt body is marked “R” for Remington. The barrel band is marked “U”. The bayonet lug is marked “H”. The scallop for the magazine cutoff  is marked “S” for Springfield and “O”. The top of the butt is marked “2A848”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a raised base. The rear sight is a “U” notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder marked from “3-27”. When flipped up separate notches and an aperture on the ladder can be used for sighting.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a straight grip, nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate and stock hardware show scrapes and a brown patina. The left side of the rear handguard shows a large repaired crack. The wood shows scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some have damaged small portions of the surface wood. These marks have been oiled. The LOP measures 13 1/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition as refurbished.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is deep. There is erosion in the bore. There is an area of more prominent erosion near the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.5.

Overall Condition: This rifle has lost its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, light surface erosion and a brown patina. The bolt and right side of the receiver show operational wear. Some of the screw heads show heavy use. The markings are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: When the US Army was looking for a rifle design to replace the 1898 Krag rifle, they looked directly at the Spanish Model 1893 Mauser. This was due to the fact that the performance of the Model 1893 Mauser was far superior than that of the 1898 Krag during the Spanish-American War. The Model 1903 is basically a redesigned Mauser clone. A U.S. Patent Court eventually found that the U.S. Army had violated Mauser’s patents and required the U.S. Army to pay the German Mauser manufacturers patent royalties. Payments were stopped once WWI started. The 1903 has a strong reliable action that served the Army for over thirty years in two world wars.

This Springfield Armory 1903 was made back in 1929 so it was around for all of WWII. We don’t know its service history but it was most likely put to good use on or near a battlefield. The rifle has been rebuilt but still retains its original 1929 dated Springfield barrel. Most of the finish has been lost to oxidation but the metal has nice markings and looks pretty good for a military service rifle that is over 90 years old. It will add to your Military collection. Good luck.

WWII Springfield 1903 US U.S. .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1929 C&R
WWII Springfield 1903 US U.S. .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1929 C&R