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Eagle head stamp just discovered
I was wiping down my newly aquired 1903 Springfield today and noticed an eagle head stamp that I'd missed before. It's just to the immediate left of the inspectors cartouche of the boxed W.E.S. The eagle head has the inspectors identification number under it of Y58. I understand that these eagle head stamps on 03's are only correct when they're found on rifles made in 1918. Everything adds up correctly on this rifle so far and it appears to be all original and unaltered or updated with replacement parts as far as I can tell. It's serial number 904182, it has a barrel date of 6-18, It has the double heat treated straight handle bolt with J5 on the safety lug, it's got the proper original finish on all metal, rear sight knobs are correct, the bore is really nice and clean, no pitting anywhere on the metal. However it does have a thin serrated trigger of the type made before the war and a smooth butt plate. I would take a guess in saying that the rifle didn't make it over seas during the war or if it did, it never saw heavy use or abuse. Somebody, probably long ago, lightened the trigger release on it to where it touches off Really Easy after the 1st stage slack is taken up. When I got the rifle, it had an original 1907 sling on it that is dated 1918. Somebody in the distant past treated the sling with neats foot oil. It's dark but is very supple and smooth without damage. It also had a plastic oiler in the butt stock. I'll get a nickel plated one at the upcoming gun show. There doesn't appear to be any bayonet wear to the finish on the muzzle. There is some damage to the stock next to the butt plate tang, but I'll repair that. Anyway, here are some pictures of it that I took today. Enjoy.
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