WWII Springfield 1903 USMC Barrel .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1934 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1700
LSB#: 220423MC007
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903
Serial Number: 1454666
Year of Manufacture: 1934 (page 374 of Joe Poyer’s book, The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, Third Edition)
Barrel Date: 2 – 44
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903. / 1454666”. The top of the barrel is marked “U.S.M.C. / 2 – 44 / circled S”. This barrel was made under contract for the United States Marine Corps by Sedgley Manufacturing Company. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “N.S. fior nickel steel. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “7”. The barrel band is marked “U”. The scallop under the magazine cutoff is marked “S” for Springfield.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade set in 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 scant grip, metal nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, two sling loops, two through bolts and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows pinprick surface erosion and a brown patina. The sling loops show surface erosion. There is a small nail at the front of the bottom metal. The top edges of the stock are missing a few small chips of wood. The wood shows scrapes, scratches and compression marks. The wood has 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.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp & deep. There is no erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.8.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish as refinished. The metal shows scrapes & small scratches. The bottom metal shows light discoloration from oxidation. The bolt and receiver shows operational wear. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
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 Model 1903 was made in 1934 and has a WWII dated replacement barrel. It was around for WWII and probably saw service during that time frame. The metal has been refinished, the wood looks good, and the bore is strong & bright. The markings on the metal are deep. The rifle comes with a rare U.S.M.C. marked barrel. This barrel was made under contract for the United States Marine Corps by Sedgley Manufacturing Company. Sedgley normally used a “circled S” marking. Barrels made for the USMC contract were specifically marked “U.S.M.C. / date / circled S”. For more see pages 164-165 of Joe Poyer’s book, The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition. Good luck.