Springfield Armory US Mdl 1903a1 National Match 30-06 Bolt Action Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $3600

LSB#: 230410TR010

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: 1903a1

Serial Number: 1370739

Year of Manufacture: 1939

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle Fed By Internal Magazine

Barrel Length: Approximately 24”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade set atop a raised base. The rear sight is a U notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder. 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 pistol grip, nose cap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, through bolts and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The wood shows light to moderate handling and storage marks. There are a few scattered scratches, scuffs and compression marks. The LOP measures 13 ¼” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. This stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is deep. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear from handling and storage. There are a few scattered scuffs and scratches. The screw heads are sharp, some are lightly tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions Correctly. We did not fire this firearm. 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. The 1903A3 is an improved version of the 1903 rifle that was introduced in 1942. The most significant change was the switch to a receiver bridge-mounted rear aperture sight.

This Springfield Model 1903 National Match was made in 1939 and is in Very Good shape. This bolt action looks impressive for a +90 year old military rifle and includes a star gauged barrel. This 1903 has a strong bore and a well preserved stock that should keep you smiling out at the range. Please see our photos, good luck and happy bidding!

-Robert