Springfield 1903 US Star Gauged Aperture Sight .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1325
LSB#: 220520WB036
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903
Serial Number: 1403357
Year of Manufacture: 1931 (page 373 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition)
Barrel Date: January, 1938
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903 / 1403357”. The top of the barrel is marked “S A / flaming bomb / 1 – 38”. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The barrel band is marked “U”. The bayonet lug is marked “H”. The face of the muzzle is marked with a “star” to indicate that it is a star gauged barrel. The top of the bolt handle is marked “9 7”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “w” and with a punch. The front sight is marked “LYMAN”. The rear sight is marked with the Lyman logo on the right. The base of the grip is marked with a “boxed P” proof”. The right side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with a San Antonio Arsenal Rebuild stamp “C-S.S.A. in a rectangle”. The stock is marked “K” below the magazine cut off. The sling markings include “RED HEAD” and “CHICAGO”
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front replacement sight is a beaded blade set atop a raised base. The rear sight is a Lyman adjustable aperture. It is secured to the right rear of the receiver. The right side is marked “0 15 30 45 60” and with small lines. The top is marked “0” and with small lines.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows scratches and discoloration from oxidation. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Several have damaged small areas of the surface wood. The wood has been oiled. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright with a freckling of gray. The rifling is deep. There is erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.7.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish as refinished. The bottom metal has surface erosion showing through the new finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and areas of light discoloration. The receiver and bolt shows operational wear. The screw heads show light use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition as refinished.
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: The rifle comes with a leather sling.
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 1931. It has been refinished and its sights have been upgraded. The rifle looks good and has deep markings on the metal & wood including a “star” on the face of the muzzle. This 1903 will add to your Military or WWII collection. Good luck.