Strange 03 Bbl

[Thomasm]

A friend of mine called today to ask me about an 03 barreled receiver he has come into and frankly, I haven't a clue on this one. It has a nice Springfield receiver (blued) marked 1903 springfield 148958. The bore is pretty well washed out but the muzzle appears to be corectly crowned and the lenghth is right.The barrel is marked SA 11-15. Here's wher the thing leave the path.The only provision for a front sight base is a round pin slot running perpendciular to the bore. He has two 03 sights both are too loose to use and if a pin hole were to be drilled corresponditly in the sight it would cover the S.A. barrel markings. Could this be some kind of a Bannerman gun or was there any variation in early Springfields ? Comment appreciated Thom

[John Beard]

A friend of mine called today to ask me about an 03 barreled receiver he has come into and frankly, I haven't a clue on this one. It has a nice Springfield receiver (blued) marked 1903 springfield 148958. The bore is pretty well washed out but the muzzle appears to be corectly crowned and the lenghth is right.The barrel is marked SA 11-15. Here's wher the thing leave the path.The only provision for a front sight base is a round pin slot running perpendciular to the bore. He has two 03 sights both are too loose to use and if a pin hole were to be drilled corresponditly in the sight it would cover the S.A. barrel markings. Could this be some kind of a Bannerman gun or was there any variation in early Springfields ? Comment appreciated Thom

All Springfield barrels have a longitudinal spline on top which secures the sight base from rotation. Once installed, the sight base was drilled and pinned transversely on top behind the dovetail to secure the base from longitudinal movement. The drill hole and pin passed through the spline at the rear. With the exception of altered rod bayonet barrels made in 1903-05, all Springfield service rifle barrels use this same front sight mounting scheme. No variation exists.

Your description indicates that the barrel spline has been removed (ground or filed away) and the barrel has been turned to a reduced diameter.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[1shot]

I think this barrel was made for a Model 1910 Maxim Silencer. I have a 1903 with a 1908 W & S Telescopic sight with a barrel that was made for the Maxim Silencer. It would only have a round cut perpendicular to the barrel. The model 1910 Maxim Silencer has a front sight Integral to the silencer.

A picture of the last three inches barrel would confirm this.

1shot

[chuckindenver]

picture would help answer the question.

[Mike D]

He has two 03 sights both are too loose to use and if a pin hole were to be drilled corresponditly in the sight it would cover the S.A. barrel markings.

This sounds like the barrel has been cut down, but you say the "length is right"??

Photos would help, for sure.

Mike