Custom Springfield 1903 .25 Niedner Rifle Corp. Bolt Action 1931 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1200

LSB#: 220309DC009

Make: Springfield Armory. Customized by the Niedner Rifle Corp.

Model: 1903

Serial Number: 1403623

Year of Manufacture: 1931 (page 374 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition)
Customized between 1931 and 1940.

Caliber: The rifle appears to be chambered in .25 Niedner. The .25 Niedner is a wildcat cartridge developed by AO Niedner and is one of the predecessors of the .25-06 Remington.
We do not have a .25 Neidner cartridge to chamber in the rifle.

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903 / 1403623”. The top of the barrel is marked “NIEDNER RIFLE CORP. DOWAGIAC, MICH.”. The bottom of the barrel shank is marked “1350 CB”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “N.S.”. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The rear sight is marked “WEAVER CO LTD  CHICAGO USA / PAT PEND”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a raised base. The rear Weaver sight is a fully adjustable aperture. The top of the barrel is drilled, tapped & filled with 4 screws that can be used to secure sights or sight blocks.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, barrel band, 2 sling loops and a checkered metal buttplate. The buttplate shows scrapes & thinning along the edge. There is a filled repair under the rear sight; a different sight was previously mounted. The wood shows scattered scuffs, scrapes and scratches. The most prominent are under the left side of the receiver. The LOP measures 13 ¾ 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. Blue Barrel.

Finish Originality: Original to Customization

Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are semi bright. The rifling is sharp. There is fouling at the muzzle and in the grooves. The fouling should clean up some. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The metal shows scuffs, scrapes and thin scratches. The bolt and right side of the receiver show light operational wear. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine 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: None

Our Assessment: This Springfield Armory 1903 was made back in 1931. It was customized prior to 1941 by the Niedner Rifle Corp. The rifle has a 26 inch barrel that appears to be chambered in .25 Niedner. The .25 Niedner is a wildcat cartridge developed by AO Niedner and is one of the predecessors of the 25-06 Remington. This is a nice looking custom 1903. It should find a good home alongside your reloading equipment.
Adolph Otto Niedner was an American gunsmith born on October 1, 1863. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1880 and fought against the Apache uprisings led by Geronimo and Victorio. Discharged in 1883, he spent time on the Milwaukee police force before moving to Malden, Massachusetts where he opened a gunsmithing shop in 1906. In 1920, he moved to Dowagiac, Michigan where he established the Niedner Rifle Company, where he would go on to manufacture custom rifles for numerous noted riflemen including Townsend Whelen, Charles Newton, and Ned Roberts.