Springfield Armory Model 1903 .30-06 WWII Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1935 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1600.55
LSB#: 220113JM008
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903
Serial Number: 1445074
Year of Manufacture: 1935 (Page 374 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition) Barrel Date: November 1942
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903. / 1445074”. The top of the barrel is marked “S A / flaming bomb / 11- 42”. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The nosecap is marked “H” on the bayonet lug. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked with a punch dot. The right rear of the bolt is marked “B.P.”. The rear of the safety is marked “R”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “NS”. The right side of the barrel band is marked “U”. The left of the stock is stamped with “RA”, crossed cannons, and boxed “FJA” cartouches. The bottom of the wrist is stamped with “R” and a circled “P” cartouche. The bottom of the stock has stampings in front of the floorplate. There is a boxed “C-SAA” cartouche on the right side of the stock.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a barrel-mounted 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 straight grip, nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts, and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage. There are some scattered compressions and dings. Some of the marks are deep and have damaged or removed portions of surface wood, the most noticeable are on the belly at the toe and on the bottom of the forend at the front of the action. There are scattered handling marks. The LOP measures 12 3/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some pitting under the finish. The stock rates are about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild
Bore Condition: The rifle has a four-groove bore. The rifling is sharp and there is no erosion. he bore has an ME of about 0.50.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The receiver has some scuffs and rubs that have lightly thinned the finish. There is thinning, finish loss, and mottled discoloration on the bottom metal. The front bottom metal screw is tight but the tang is slightly loose. There are some scattered oil stains and spots of minor oxidation on the nosecap. There are some little scuffs and a few nicks through the finish on the barrel. There are a few spots of oxidation, mostly on the stock hardware. The front sling loop is bent. There is standard operational wear. The screw heads show light use. Most of the markings are deep. 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: A canvas sling is included.
Our Assessment: When the U.S. Army was looking for a rifle design to replace their Krag rifles, they looked at the Spanish Mauser Model 93 they captured during the Spanish-American War. Other than changing the firing pin to a two-piece design and a few other minor alterations, the 1903 was, in fact, a Mauser design, and the U.S. Government ended up paying royalties to Mauser Werke. The rifle was well worth it though. It had a strong and reliable action and served the Army for over four decades in two World Wars and would even be used in sniper variations in Korea and Vietnam. It’s fast .30-06 cartridge, adopted in 1906, continued to be the one cartridge that all others are compared against, whether it is for ballistics or felt recoil. This Springfield Armory Model 1903 was made back in 1935 and has since been installed with a World War II replacement barrel and likely saw use during the war. This will be a nice addition to your collection and will also be tremendous fun to shoot. Please see our photos and good luck!