U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 .30-06 24″ Bolt Action Rifle 1918 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,001.00

LSB#: LSB260408PA002

Make:  Springfield Armory

Model: 1903

Serial Number: 853366

Year of Manufacture:  1918 / C&R 

Barrel Date: 2 – 31

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt action, fed by internal 5-round magazine.

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked, “U.S.” / “SPRINGFIELD” / “ARMORY” / “MODEL 1903.” / “853366”. The magazine cutoff is marked, “ON / OFF”. The barrel is marked, “S A” / “2-31” with a flaming bomb proof. The safety is marked “READY” / “SAFE”.  The underside of the bolt handle is marked with an “O”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “B2”. The front of the stock is marked with “RI”. The left side of the stock above the trigger guard is marked with “AAA” and “AHI” / “RIA” inside a box. On the bottom of the stock, rear of the trigger guard is marked with “P” and “P” inside of a circle. 

The bayonet is marked with “US” and “858912” on the bottom right side of the blade. On the right bottom side of the blade is marked “SA” / “1918” and Flaming Bomb stamp.

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics:  The front sight is a blade pinned to a band slid over the muzzle. The front sight has a sight hood to protect the blade from damage and unwanted glare. The rear sight is a ladder sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation.  

Stock Configuration & Condition:  The stocks and handguard set are walnut, and have a steel forend cap w/ bayonet lug and stacking loop, barrel band with sling swivel, straight grip, straight comb, with a smooth steel buttplate. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are cracks on the upper wrist. The LOP measures 12.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized, DuLite

Finish Originality: Original – Arsenal Refurbished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the 4-groove rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion visible in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6/10. 

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 97% of its metal finish. There are handling scratches and scuffs along the receiver. The forend metal surfaces show scratches and compression dents. The front sight hood has finish loss from scratches. The action shows operational wear. The bolt handle shows minor finish loss. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in 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: Leather sling attached, cleaning kit in a tube stored in the buttstock, canvas bag with cleaning rods, 1x small green canvas bag (Kanak Co. 1944), 20″ overall length bayonet in a wooden sheath, wrapped in leather, inside a Brauer Bros. 1918 canvas sheath.

Our Assessment:  The U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 is one of the classic American military bolt-action rifles of the 20th century, developed after the Krag and strongly influenced by Mauser-type service-rifle design. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield, the Model 1903 served through World War I and remained in use for training, reserve, match, and specialized roles through World War II. This rifle was originally manufactured in 1918 and later arsenal refurbished, with its Springfield Armory barrel dated February 1931, Parkerized/DuLite finish, stock inspection markings, sling, cleaning gear, and 1918-dated Springfield bayonet all contributing to its U.S. martial collector appeal.

This Springfield Armory Model 1903 is a .30-06 bolt-action rifle fed by an internal 5-round magazine, with a 24″ barrel, ladder rear sight, protected blade front sight, and a walnut stock and handguard set. The rifle retains about 97% of its arsenal-refurbished metal finish, showing handling scratches and scuffs on the receiver, scratches and compression dents on the forend metal, finish loss on the front sight hood, minor bolt-handle finish loss, and operational wear on the action. The walnut furniture rates in Very Good condition, with scratches and pressure dents throughout and cracks at the upper wrist. The bore is bright with sharp 4-groove rifling and faint erosion, rating 6/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, though the rifle has not been test fired. Accessories include a leather sling, buttstock cleaning kit in tube, canvas cleaning-rod bag, small green Kanak Co. 1944 canvas bag, and a 1918 Springfield Armory bayonet in a leather-wrapped wooden sheath inside a Brauer Bros. 1918 canvas sheath. Overall, this is a Very Good condition 1918 U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 with a later 1931 SA barrel, arsenal-refurbished finish, useful accessories, and strong U.S. service-rifle character. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY