View Full Version : Picture Of Your "Favorite" Not Prettiest, 1903, 1903A3, Etc.
Golf Digest Magazine had a monthly topic where they would "look into" a pro's golf bag and describe his favorite clubs. I was surprised at what they called "favorite". Some were very old and beat-up, but still used by the pro.
Tom
Rick the Librarian
11-12-2011, 06:36
Here's mine - my first "real" Springfield. I bought as a mildly sporterized M1903 about 1972. It was the victim (I think that's the right word!) of my early fumbling efforts at "restoring". It had more M1903 stocks than Imelda Marcos had shoes (almost!). I finally found a nice WES stock with a matching handguard. No, not an original, but definitely one of my "pets". :D S/N 1,205,868 with an original 10-20 SA barrel.
http://www.fototime.com./27A3F34D527FB3B/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com./DAE77B89C5A1089/standard.jpg
OK, I'll play...
New favorite, fresh from the CMP 1903 stampede, USMC issue RIA, I really wish this one could talk!
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad316/mkrad1/2F3E8595.jpg
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LeagleEagle
11-12-2011, 07:00
Rock Island 294xxx with 7-18 RIA barrel. I found this back in 2004 at a local gunshop for $400. It was a CMP gun in a beat up scant stock. I found a nice Mark I stock at a gunshow and put the rifle in it.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/jcrowl/Miscellaneous/100_0304.jpg
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Dan Shapiro
11-12-2011, 07:19
RIA 5 digit. 8-18 barrel. Hatcher hole modification. 1918 dated W.T.&B. sling.
Parashooter
11-12-2011, 07:39
Rapid-fire, prone. August 5, 2000, Camp Perry
http://i40.tinypic.com/lveif.jpg
John Hancock
11-12-2011, 08:01
One of my favorites. An early 1918 RIA with AV 12-18 barrel and POD-D marked stock. It has the "been there, done that" look.
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n56/73dit/POD%20RIA%201903/
First one, I bought it for $350.00, the stock had been sporterized, it has matching barrel (1934) and S/N. The bore isn't the greatest but it doesn't seem to effect accuracy. The only replacement barrel I could find was a USMC Sedgley. I just don't have the heart to change it, I like it the way it is, so the barrel is setting in the wrapper. Still looking for a 6 or 7-34 SA barrel though.
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af117/rananderson/1903010.jpg
Rick the Librarian
11-13-2011, 05:38
Ok, I'm "cheating" - I have TWO "favorite '03s" (and if this thread goes on long enough, I can already think of a third one!):
This one I bought about two years ago. I thought I was buying a nice pre-WWI "service" rifle. After I got it home and sent him pictures, JB said I had scored big time and the rifle was nothing less than a 1915 National Match - one of maybe 12 pre-WWIs in private hands!! The seller (who was a professional mover) said he had been given the rifle by an old Black woman he had moved near Washington DC. The rifle is not listed in SRS, so probably was sold to a soldier.
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usmodel1873
11-13-2011, 06:28
Rick,
May I ask what is the clue or clues that it is a NM? Looks like a bright bolt?
Rick the Librarian
11-13-2011, 10:12
The bolt, "raceway" (inside the chamber) and follower was polished, as well as the rear sight. There was no NRA stamped on the forward tang (although I realize they weren't always found on NRA Sales rifles, either).
Allen Humphrey
11-13-2011, 11:44
First and favorite.....not that I have a deep collection. 900000 serial range and a 9-42 SA barrel that was new and all CMP match legal. Keystone stock came from the CMP. I started shooting NRA highpower with it late last year and made expert this year, which was my goal to see if I could do. It shoots better than me! Lots of fun.
Roadkingtrax
11-13-2011, 01:26
800K S/N Marine Rebuild.
Bought this locally, has a splotchy Logwood stained Rock Island stock. May not be the best looker, but has the best feel.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/ttraxler/USMC%20BLOCK/USMC80033.jpg
Runner up: Acquired this not long ago, near original 1921 (sans rear sight and Lyman installation). I now have a better idea of what nice fit and finish 1903's had out of the armory. Razor sharp fingergrooves too...
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/ttraxler/1921%20Lyman%20Sight%201903/1921014.jpg
These are my favorite two (okay they are also my only two).
First one I built up from a barrelled receiver I purchased on Gunbroker. I wanted an early example and this is a 1906 receiver with a 1918 barrel. I found a straight-handled bolt, smooth buttplate and various other "sorta correct" parts. Reblued everything and fitted it into a new Dupage stock that I refinished. Since it is a low-number I only shoot low-power cast loads through it and it is much more accurate than I am. She is a real head-turner at the range.
The second one is a 1943 model Remington A3 that I purchased from the CMP about ten years ago. It was in great working condition and is an excellent shooter. However, the metal finish and the stock had seen better days. I recently had it refinished by Chuckindenver and I installed it in a new CMP stock that I refinished. Haven't shot it since all the work was done, but after some tweaking it should shoot as good as before and it definitely looks better.
daveboy
These are my favorite two (okay they are also my only two).
First one I built up from a barrelled receiver I purchased on Gunbroker. I wanted an early example and this is a 1906 receiver with a 1918 barrel. I found a straight-handled bolt, smooth buttplate and various other "sorta correct" parts. Reblued everything and fitted it into a new Dupage stock that I refinished. Since it is a low-number I only shoot low-power cast loads through it and it is much more accurate than I am. She is a real head-turner at the range.
The second one is a 1943 model Remington A3 that I purchased from the CMP about ten years ago. It was in great working condition and is an excellent shooter. However, the metal finish and the stock had seen better days. I recently had it refinished by Chuckindenver and I installed it in a new CMP stock that I refinished. Haven't shot it since all the work was done, but after some tweaking it should shoot as good as before and it definitely looks better.
daveboy
Dave, Would you mind a quick tutorial, including wood prep, of how you got your stock to look like that. Is that oil or is it a clear something? I know we have very many woodworking experts on this forum, I love to hear their stories.
I would, also, like to see whoever had that reddish-mahogany colored sporter (22) with adjustable headspace or something. It was sitting on a rail in front of a forest. (about a year ago).
Was it Pete that had one on a stack of firewood? Whatever happened to him? Where has wolf been? Also the gentleman that sent me pictures of his manufacturing plant building giant steel vessels and tanks, I'm terrible on names?
Thanks, Tom
Rick the Librarian
11-13-2011, 05:49
OK, here's #3 - my first (of many!) M1903. I bought this at JJ Newbery (A Spokane department store) when I was 17 in 1967 for the princely sum of $39.95. It had a Scant stock and a weird-looking "straight" handguard. It was another rifle that withstood a lot of my early "restoring" attempts. I didn't like the Scant stock, even then, but found a Mark I stock for $6.00 and it wore that for several years. When I got a "real" '03 a few years later, I switched back to the Scant stock. The "orange" handguard, I believe I sold to John Beard, so said it might have been some sort of reproduction (although this was LONG before repro M1903 parts started to appear!). See the picture of the HG below.
Some of you "old timers" may remember my (true) story about finding a painted stock in a farmer's field, one day. It sat in my garage for several years before my wife suggested I clean it off, which I did. It turned out to be the CORRECT stock for this rifle!! I gathered together a correct Remington handguard and a few other bits and pieces.
The rifle is Remington 3,283,084 and has an original 11-42 RA barrel. Two of the more interesting features is that it has a gas escape hole on both sides, something which wasn't seen except on very early Remingtons. After some discussion, it was determined that this was a very early receiver that, for some reason failed inspection and was put aside, and later passed with a later serial number. The bolt is also a very early one.
Not much to look at, but another "pet" which will never part from me.
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Sean P Gilday
11-13-2011, 07:32
My Only '03. Purchased for $82 bucks from a pawn shop in Lawton Oklahoma in early 1982 while I was still in Basic Training. Caused me all manner of hell when I walked back to the Battery with it. Only My Drill Sergeant didnt make my life hell over it. When I went to AIT at Ft. Lee it was stored and my company commander kept asking me to sell it to him. When after AIT I was going on leave I found out the captain had every weekend signed my rifle out and used it. He even tried to delay me long enough so as not to have time to retrieve it, but the 1SG cut me loose in time.
Remington Made,Serial # 30591XX originally had a scant grip stock that was varnished a gloss brown. Knowing nothing as a 18 year old I stripped it with a dremel sanding wheel and butchered the stock. a few years ago put a Dupage stock on it. Sling is G.I. with parkered steel hooks. Have a M1905 Bayonet for it and it had a nickled oiler in the trap
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/linedoggie/46540_1521693114871_1010851760_31524539_5620179_n. jpg
I've put maybe 200rds through it since 1983.
RIA 1767 ~ RIA 10-04 barrel, no-bolt RIA rod bayonett stock up-dated for 1906.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b4ce30b3127ccec9039e5e113e00000020O08AZMnDdmzZMw e3nwA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/
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My first Smith Corona. I'm not trying to show-off my fiance, this is my only photo that's as it was purchased two years ago. It now has a full stock and M.I. sights.
(At 95 pounds the first shot knocked her off the stool.)
I had no knowledge about 1903's two years ago, except that they were in the great war. The "salesman saw me coming", handed it to me and said: "30-06", I immediately felt another hobby coming on.
Tom
PhillipM
11-13-2011, 08:57
Rapid-fire, prone. August 5, 2000, Camp Perry
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12 holes? Does that mean you put the sighters in the the 10 ring as well?
[QUOTE=Tom;186932]Dave, Would you mind a quick tutorial, including wood prep, of how you got your stock to look like that. Is that oil or is it a clear something? I know we have very many woodworking experts on this forum, I love to hear their stories.
Tom
I stripped the finish these new stocks came with with chemical stripper. Then, I sanded very lightly with 180 grit sandpaper just to smooth things out after the strip. Then I rubbed down with 000 steel wool. Next, I dampened the wood with water and let it completely dry, this will cause the grain (or fuzz) to raise. I rub it down again with 000 wool and at this point the wood should actually shine with no finish applied to it. Next comes the stain. Many ways to do this, but I like RIT dye that is available almost everywhere (Wal-mart, grocery stores, etc..) I get the dark brown and dark red dye. Mix the dye with denatured alcohol. Experiment with different amounts of brown with different amounts of red to get the color you like. I dip a rag in the mixture and start rubbing it on the wood. It should be a very light stain, but it will dry almost immediately. That way, you can keep applying it until you get just the darkness you want. If you want a little more of the "Springfield" red tint, just mix up some straight red and apply that last. After the stain drys overnight, I buff it with some 0000 steel wool. Then, I apply anywhere from 3-6 coats of BLO.
Parashooter
11-14-2011, 10:44
12 holes? Does that mean you put the sighters in the the 10 ring as well?
No, it means one of those flimsy GI pasters fell off while schlepping the target 700 miles back home from Ohio.
PeteDavis
11-16-2011, 08:46
RIA 290K, RIA 7-18 bbl, RI FG stock. This was a CMP rifle I had to search up a stock for. I hunted with this rifle in 2005 and got a big whitetail 3.5 miles from the nearest road. New life for a rifle that well could have served in two world wars.
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Rick the Librarian
11-16-2011, 05:01
Pete -- good to hear from you again!
It's my thread so I guess I can go off-subject, I followed Daveboy's instr. and it came out pretty nice. The stock was a 50 year old after-market that was dried out and water stained. I wanted it dark, because even after much work the stains still showed.
Tom
Beautiful rifles, gentlemen! Despite my longtime fondness for old original specimens, my 'new favorite '03' is a 'shooter' and, as such, will be accompanying me to some of the CMP's 'Vintage Sniper Rifle Matches'. The build was completed only recently by a friend I met at the first such match I attended. Although not an original collectible, as to looks, she' a 'sweet darlin' if ever there was one! I haven't had a chance to shoot 'er yet, but will next week.....can hardly wait! Receiver is 1375xxx, N.S. bolt, CMP Critereon bbl, CMP stock and handguard, and Lyman 5A scope. I wanted to share a picture. She looks the part, huh?!! I'm VERY proud of her!
Semper fidelis -
http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z367/Bob65GS/P1010867-1.jpg
My favorite is a 1941 8X Unertl "replica" '03 that I built over the past year.
The Unertl is a pre-war 8X 1-1/4" on Steve Earle mounts. The rifle is a 1.50M CMP "greek return" Springfield. I plan on shooting some CMP Vintage Sniper rifle matches this summer.
A big thanks to Marine A5 Sniper for his advice on some technical build questions he graciously answered.
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g374/TW56/1941%20Unertl/IMG_5705.jpg
TW56
Can't see much of it Tom, but looks like it came out pretty good. Actually, the method I describe is not too difficult don't you think?
daveboy
Beautiful rendition, T56! I have a profound fondness for the Marine Model 1941 myself, and they're great shooters too. Excellent work!
/Bob
PeteDavis
12-23-2011, 05:32
Here is an SA 900K. It was sportered to a low standard and covered in gold varnish. I cleaned it up, cold-blued the metal, put it in a GG stock that was already bolt-relieved, and mounted Weaver bases in the old holes. Stuck a Buehler safety on there and a Lyman Alaskan completed the rendition. My cheapo sniper and it does cut some holes.
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Question, Pete.... how does the Buehler work for you? I've got a heavy-barreled '03 hunting rifle in 6.5 Gibbs (carrying a mid-60s era Redfield Target) that I tried to put an aftermarket safety on, but it was a pretty cheesy arrangement and didn't engage dependably. Does your Buehler engage firmly?
You've got a nice set-up there for a hunting rifle.... I like it. '03s are interesting to me regardless of their originality.
/Bob
RichardN
12-23-2011, 07:18
Call it my pop gun. Folks quiver when I show up at the range with it. Its a low number with a new H.S. barrel. The stock left Boyd's incomplete (no cross bolt holes, or drilled holes period). Extremely accurate with Lymans 311284 running 1600 fps. Before and after.
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PeteDavis
12-24-2011, 08:04
The Buehler came pre-mounted on a sleeve.
I didn't bugger the screw....it was already mashed up...the safety engages and releases just fine. Maynard knew what he was doing. These things turn up on ebay from time to time. You might have to work on the firing pin rod to get a fit but mine engaged right away. PD
Always wondered if this thread beat Allen's 'Butt Trap Treasures' ?? 3,600+ views. His was a good one, think he had hundreds of pictures and thousands of views.
I've only three 1903's, but I guess the one that I most consider myself lucky to own is SA rifle 909009 with the barrel date of 7-18. It doesn't show any indication that it's ever had a sight hood on it (at least I can't see any scratches in the finish) or that it has been used or handled very much at all. The edges of the wood are sharp, the original finish on the metal parts is virtualy unworn except for on the outside of the trigger guard where a taught sling has rubbed against it in a manner that would indicate the rifle had been carried on a shoulder repeatedly. Possibly for guard duty. If one looks very close, it can be seen that the extremely miniscule amount of wear on the outside of the muzzle as well as the bayonet lug would indicate that the rifle has had a bayonet attached to it. This might also be consistant with a rifle carried on guard duty. The bore is mint. I wish that I had a wear guage to measure it, breech and muzzle. It has a grooved trigger and a smooth butt plate. When I took posession of the rifle, I found inside the butt trap a mint and unworn nickle plated oiler that's never had any oil in it. Likewise, the brush and pull through appeared to have never been used. An eagle head stamp, common to SA rifles made in 1918, on the left side of the wrist is sharp and unworn. There appears to have never been a cartouche stamp in that location. The circle P stamp under the wrist is also sharp and without any wear. The unworn bolt has a straight handle and its safety lug bears the J5 stamp designating Double Heat Treatment. When I got the rifle, I carefully loosened the screws with an 03 disassembly tool. They were quite tight and seemed to've not been turned for a long time. Upon removing the barreled action, I found some wood shavings that had been pressed between the action and the stock. These fell out easily. I think that the rifle had never been taken apart since it was assembled in Springfield Armory back in 1918. I haven't fired it yet, so except for the proof and accuracy loads that've no doubt been put through it, the rifle might not have been fired by anyone very much at all, if any. It seems to me that a 1903 Springfield rifle of WW1 manufacture that has as little wear as this one is probably pretty hard to find. Anyway, none of our kids are interested in it, so when I die, the first one of you that're still alive can come and get it as far as I'm concerned. Of course you'll have to give my wife whatever amount that she wants for it. Ha! I'd better deep an updated edition of Flayderman's Price Guide with my rifles! LOL
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Jon Field
03-18-2013, 03:00
That's a beautiful rifle!
Great rifles Fred, and nice background too. Thanks!!
PS I'm not giving-up on "us" beating "Allen's" butt trap record. I'm cheating a little I guess. Waiting for someone to point that out. lol .
PPS I sure hope Rick re-posts his great pics. Did somebody say Afghan??
This was Father's 60's DCM 03A3 ($17.50 plus $2.00 Shipping) I shot it a the National Matches @Camp Perry in 2000 or 2001. Score sucked, but I have long arms and prone with a bolt-gun was tough for me in a timed match. Some old-timers (with respect intended) were comin' over and asking me if the could hold her. Yeah, no problem. Great fun. You gotta go there. Geoff http://i48.tinypic.com/9gdoxh.jpg
Great rifles Fred, and nice background too. Thanks!!
Thanks Tom. I had trouble keeping my horses out of the pictures! LOL
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Gee, in the last 500 views- no more pictures. How can I stay ahead of Allen?
Also< Rick and Legal Eagle: are you punishing us?? Your pictures have disappeared. Wellllll, we'rrrrrrre waiting!!
Rick the Librarian
03-29-2013, 07:03
OK, since you "insisted", here's another:
I heard of a gent who had what he said was a nice service M1903 for sale and I inquired further. I received a few pictures and sent the money. I checked with John Beard, who said the rifle was NOT "just a nice service rifle" but a pre-WWI National Match!!!. He said that original examples in private hands are as rare as hen's teeth, perhaps a dozen or so in excistence.
The serial number is 605,178, which dates it to 1915. Being pre-WWI, it lacks the Star Gauge "star" and number, the etched bolt and other characteristics seen in later years. It has a 1915 barrel and a nice, crisp JSA inspection stamp. The rifle does have some wear, especially towards the upper band and muzzle, but the bore is pristine. It has the polished bolt, follower rib and "raceway". It is truly a jewel and I feel fortunate to be it's temporary guardian. The pictures below don't really do it justice. I need to do a reshoot sometime in the future.
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