I think I have the 600,000 range pretty well covered! :)

[Rick the Librarian]

I saw another low numbered M1903 on Gunbroker awhile back. I couldn't afford it and I already had an NRA Sales rifle, but why would that stop me?? The seller was an online firearms consignment place that occasionally lowers the price as the auction goes on. I waited until the last minute and (figuratively speaking) pulled the trigger!

What interested me about this rifle was the brass medallion in the butt. It was a presentation rifle, but maddeningly just in initials. For those of you new (or unfamiliar) to M1903s, it is one of the NRA Sales rifles that was sold to NRA members before WWI.

It is all original and dates to early early 1916. What is also interesting to me, is that usually with this type of rifle, the barrel is pretty close to original regarding muzzle erosion, maybe a 1 or 2. This rifle must have really had the snot shot out of it. The ME was a 3.5 and the TE nearly a 4. It was well taken care of - the bore was worn, but shiny and the stock had only one serious ding

I have seen no fewer than three 620,000 range NRA Sales rifles. For the record, this has:

1) a 12-15 SA barrel

2) a JSA (J. Sumner Adams) inspection stamp on the single bolt stock

3) an I8 bolt

4) it has considerable wear on the fixed front sight base

5) the floorplate has some "speckles" of rust, which I've mostly cleaned

6) it has a non-military sling which a former owner connected to the stacking swivel.

7) On the foretip of the stock, it has a small 1/8" "S" stamp, which I thought Springfield phased out a couple of years previously. Also, as you can see, a script P behind the trigger guard.

It joins a 605,178 National Match, a 601,172 NRA Sales (I think I've got the 600,000 range pretty well covered!) and 554,131, which may be another Sales rifle.

I hope to do some research and see if I can discover who it was presented to, but that may be some work.

[Rick the Librarian]

A few more pictures:

[louis]

Beautiful rifle thanks for sharing

[Kirk]

Neat medalion! Don't worry too much about the bore. Even ones with moderate wear often shoot well.

[chuckindenver]

looks great,...love it

[Rick the Librarian]

Neat medalion! Don't worry too much about the bore. Even ones with moderate wear often shoot well.

Like my other LN M1903s, this won't ever see a rifle range, at least while I own it. I just thought the relatively high muzzle wear and excellent condition was worth commenting about. This rifle was used a LOT, but also taken care of.

[Allen Humphrey]

Great find Rick, a real beauty!

[ismith]

Nice addition to the stable! I bet it has an interesting story.

[Jeff L]

Ooooo preeeetttty!

[George in NH]

WOW!!
What a rifle!! Wish it was mine! Thanks for posting! I have to learn how to get my pics from a "cloud" to this forum. I would like to share my "stuff" with all of you........George in NH