WWI Springfield 1903 Sniper US 1913 Scope .30-06 U.S. Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $3925
LSB#: 230825EH015
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903. A Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Sniper scope assembly is installed.
Serial Number: 783315
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (page 373 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition)
Barrel Date: June 1917
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
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. When flipped up separate notches and an aperture on the ladder can be used for sighting.
The side of the scope is marked “TELESCOPIC MUSKET SIGHT / MODEL OF 1913 No3427 / THE WARNER & SWASEY CO. / CLEVELAND OHIO U.S.A.” and with patent information. The scope has sighting and distance plates attached along the top & front.
A side mounted scope base is secured to the receiver by 3 screws. The 5.2 power Model 1913 Warner Swasey scope slides onto the mount from the front. The button on the top front of the scope assembly must be pressed down to lock and unlock the scope onto the side mount. The large knob is the elevation knob and the smaller knob is the windage knob.
The scope uses a crosshair reticle and 3 small rangefinding lines. The view is dim. Numerous small black flecks are in the view. The leather eyepiece has been lost. The scope uses a replacement rubber eyepiece. The scope assembly shows scrapes and scratches that have removed areas of the paint finish.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a straight grip, nose cap with bayonet lug, barrel band, stacking loop, 2 sling loops, 2 reinforcing pins, and a checkered metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows light discoloration. The nose cap & barrel band show scrapes & discoloration from oxidation. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Areas of the wood have been sanded smooth. The LOP measures 12 3/4 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 muzzle and grooves are gray. The rifling is deep. There is erosion in the bore. The erosion is heavier in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 6 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its current metal finish. The barrel and magazine floorplate have been treated with cold blue. Areas of surface erosion show through the cold blue finish. The magazine floorplate shows a mottled finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and varying degrees of discoloration from oxidation. The action shows operational wear. Some of the screw heads show substantial use. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very 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: The rifle comes with a Model 1913 Warner & Swasey scope assembly. See above. The scope comes in its leather carrying case. The front strap and one of the side straps have torn.
A leather sling is attached.
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 WWI Springfield Armory 1903 was made back in 1918. It is topped with a Model 1913 Warner & Swasey scope assembly. The Model 1913 scope was used as a sniper scope on Model 1903 Rifles during WWI. We don’t know the service history of the rifle or of the scope but they were most likely put to good use on or near a battlefield. This 1903 has clear Springfield markings on the barrel & receiver as well as clear markings on the scope.
…Now go shoot something!
