Early "B" stock?

[ismith]

Heres another picture.

[Cosine26]

M1903 B Stocks
This discussion brings up, at least for me, some interesting questions. The following is excerpted from Crossman’s “Book of the Springfield". His description of the STYLE NB is quite exact. It leaves no doubt that this is a 30 caliber rifle with full military fore end and no grasping grooves. His description of the STYLE NBA, however leaves something to be desired. He indicates that the rifle is in a M1922 M1 stock, cal 22 but does not state the caliber of the rifle. However he further states that the rifle has stock bolts and grasping grooves. If for a 22 caliber, why the stock bolts? Is this the “B” stock with grasping grooves? He has a further description of the STYLE SB which is the “B” stock with a service grade M1903 action installed. All of these rifles are listed as “For Sales Only” therefore were never general issue. Note that he refers to the Style "B" stock as the MT.



In the January 1927 issue of the American Rifleman on the DCM page there are listed “NB” Stocked Match rifles for sale.



In the June 1930 issue of the American Rifleman, These rifle are listed as match grade rifles with pistol grip stocks though it is not
indicated that they are “B” stocks. From the description they appear to be the same rifles as advertised in the Jan 1927 issue of the AR. They are now listed a 1928 NM rifles.



In 1931 the price for the “B” Stocked rifles is reduced.



This brings to mind the question: “Why was the “B” stock?” was ever developed. According to the articles, the “B” stocked rifles cannot be used in the “Service Rifle, as issued” category, because they were "For Sales Only" . Surely no target shooter would be interested in a rifle that could not be used in major matches at the National Matches. Further, why would a hunter be interested in a rifle with a military fore end when the Springfield Sporter was available at a cheaper price? Incidentaly the National Match was also cheaper than the "B" stocked rifles.
Here is Clark Campbell’s take on the “B” stock as stated in “The ’03 Springfields”





It is interesting to note that he states that 2953 NB’s were manufactured in fiscal year 1928 (which would have started on (1 July 1927) and this would have been correct since the “B” stocked rifles were advertised in the January 1927 AR. He indicates that they were to be issued for test in the 1927 National Matches and were to be designated as 1928 NM rifles. In later ads they were so designated. However in the January 1927 ad, it is indicated that they could not be used in “service rifle “only matches. He also indicates that a few were made with “grasping grooves” but that the majority were not. Is this the “NBA” type mentioned by Crossman? I have the write ups on the 1927 and 1928 National Matches that appeared in the American Rifleman and there is no indication that these rifles were used. Most of the write ups discussed the rifles and ammo used in detail. I have always believed that through 1928 the type “S” stock was used on the NM M1903’s.
It was evidently not a popular rifle for 40 of them remained in stock in 1931.

These questions have probably been asked and answered before but I have not seen them.

[ismith]

From what im reading in Brophy's book this stock is a Deming #1 design and not a B stock.

[Jim in Salt Lake]

Heres another picture.

History aside, that's a gorgeous piece of wood. Look at the grain in the butt.