WWII Springfield 1903 US U.S. .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1932 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1860
LSB#: 220109RB053
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903
Serial Number: 1369878
Year of Manufacture: 1932 (page 373 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition)
Barrel Date: April, 1932
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903 / 1369878”. The top of the barrel is marked “S A / flaming bomb / 4 – 32” . The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked with a punch and “R” for Remington. The barrel band is marked “U”. The bayonet lug is marked “H”. The bottom of the grip is marked “K” and with a “circled P” proof. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with a boxed inspector’s cartouche “D.A.L.”. The scallop for magazine cutoff is marked “X”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a raised 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 hinged door for storage. The wood shows scattered scrapes and scratches. Some have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild. The bottom metal has been refinished in Blue.
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is fouling and oxidation at the muzzle and in the grooves. The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The bottom metal has been refinished. The metal shows scrapes, scratches, and discoloration from oxidation. The barrel shows a patch of surface erosion. The bolt and right side of the receiver show operational wear. Some of the screw heads show heavy use. The markings are well defined. 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: 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.
This Springfield Armory 1903 was made back in 1932 so it was around for all of WWII. We don’t know its service history but it was most likely put to good use on or near a battlefield. The bottom metal has been refinished but the rest of the rifle shows just enough distress to “qualify” as a WWII service rifle. The rifle has been rebuilt but still retains its original 1932 dated Springfield barrel. This Springfield 1903 looks pretty good for a rifle that is 90 years old. It will add to your Military collection. Good luck.