1903 Rifles?

[TheBigCountry]

I had the fortune of shooting a Smith-Corona 1903 this weekend. It was a rebuilt with a Criterion barrel, and not only was it accurate, but I found it to be very tame recoiling for an ‘06.

The bug has bitten me and I’ve started looking into them a bit. I see quite a few on GB, but wanted to know what the differences are in some of the models?

Also, if one was to look at adding one to the collection, what would you be looking for/running away from?

 

[DIBBS]

Several very knowledgeable members here. @pmclaine @buffalowinter @kraigWY I believe could help.

If you do a search on 1903 in the title here- some of the information may have been discussed already.


Good luck...check out some of the military/1903 forums too

CMP Bolt Action Rifles - CMP Forums

Use this forum to discuss 1903s, A3s, A4s, 1917s, Krags, and other CMP bolt-action rifles

forums.thecmp.org

 

[Charger442]

I'd run towards a C stock, away from a straight stock, and approaching a scant stock slowly but steadily.

Also, try to find an NM rifle and enjoy

 

[pmclaine]

The A3 is generally thought to be more "shooter friendly" with its easier to use sighting system.

I have a bias though and kind of think of them as ersatz substandard war production.

When Remington was given the contract to build 1903s to supplement weapons while Springfield focused on the Garand they quickly found out building 03 s was a time consuming machine process.....and they were right.

The barrel mounted ladder sight of the '03 is a marvel of construction. It does about a half dozen things few of which really matter....it even incorporates spindrift in its settings.

Remington quickly began falling behind in production of '03's and the design changes to stamped parts and a less complicated rear of the receiver aperture became the A3.

The A3 is a much easier and arguably "more accurate" rifle to shoot because of it.

The 03 in order to get any kind of consistency requires the purchase of a couple hundred dollar tool to get repeatability and accurate adjustment of the rear sight ladder - an Ohare sight micrometer.

I favor 03 for its cool factor.

My rifles sports C stocks from pre war production at Springfield because as my Sig line states it's beautiful and elegant.

The Marines hated C stocks favoring straight. Marine rifle details are well known should you want to find one.

I'll post some photos later....gots to get ready for work now.

 

[pmclaine]

This is my 1.3 Springfield 03 in C Stock........Gungnir.

 

[pmclaine]

This is an O'Hare sight micrometer reproduction and how it is used...........not needed for an A3. no one ever came up with a means to accurately adjust windage on these. The windage adjustment marks are 4 MOA each. Your best process is to zero art 100 and hold everywhere else.

 

[pmclaine]

This is my 1.4 Springfield in C stock - Nothung.

Prewar stocks are recognizable by the "trim" wood. the other option are Keystone replacements. Keystones are great stocks but they have "fat" dimensions....especially at the wrist. sorry for the watermark Photobucket stole my pictures I guess.

 

[pmclaine]

My 1.3 - Gungnir - at 100 yards with some accessories.....

 

[TheBigCountry]

@pmclaine awesome looking rifles. Where did you acquire yours? Your honey-hope up there?

 

[pmclaine]

The 1.3 I bought from the Honey Hole. Appears to have been someones "Pet" match rifle....desirable bolt, reverse safety, well preserved, has CMP paperwork.

The 1.4 was a weird coincidence. saw it in the classifieds at Culvers shooting Pages and I commented "If you were within easy ride of Massachusetts Id be all over this" Guy responded and the town in MA he was in bordered my own. It has a NS bolt and came with a heavy checkered butt plate/door. Again appears to be someones "pet" rifle.

The Honey Hole had a bunch of mil surps last time I visited....

PACK AND POSTAL CENTER

STORE HOURS & UPDATES Monday-Friday 9am-5pm EST Please call before coming if you have items to sell 978-368-0910

www.packandpostalcenter.com

Hate to give out my secret place but i think my buying days are coming to an end.

 

[Charger442]

Hate to give out my secret place but i think my buying days are coming to an end.

sad to hear talk like this. but let me know when you want to start liquidating. id love to have right of first refusal on a few things.

and then i can sell them all to get @rth1800 to part with that Winchester 250 savage grail gun he has.

 

[pitspitr]

Big Country, What do you plan to do with it? If competition is in your plans, you need to be aware that different organizations have different rules/requirements and that may influence your choices.

I currently own one of each stock style and am having another straight stock rifle built. I'm probably least fond of the C stock because of the "fat" feel pmclaine alluded to. None of mine are as nice as his rifles. Mine are all parts guns, but with the right load they are all really accurate.

 

[pitspitr]

This is an O'Hare sight micrometer reproduction and how it is used.........

I'm really excited. I picked up an original on Ebay yesterday. I've never been around one, so (obviously) never used one or seen one used. I never expected to be able to afford one and was shocked when my bid won

 

[pmclaine]

I'm really excited. I picked up an original on Ebay yesterday. I've never been around one, so (obviously) never used one or seen one used. I never expected to be able to afford one and was shocked when my bid won

The one I have pictured is a "clone" that was made for a time by Ray-Vin/SBS sales. They were selling for $125 or so made new.

I also have a period original. It has a US marking and number. It was an impulse purchase buy because I thought at $150 it was a good buy. At the time they were selling for more money.

I think the 03 market for rifles and accessories has gone kind of soft. Peoples attention is more toward AR stuff now. When I was buying 03 stuff Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers and The Pacific were media fresh in peoples minds and it had an impact on the market some.

The micrometer will allow you to get your elevation right on and it will be repeatable. Keep a log book of your settings.

 

[pitspitr]

I also have a period original. It has a US marking and number. It was an impulse purchase buy because I thought at $150 it was a good buy. At the time they were selling for more money.

The micrometer will allow you to get your elevation right on and it will be repeatable. Keep a log book of your settings.

It WAS a good buy. The ones I'd been seeing had been bringing $200+ I put a low ball bid on the one I bought thinking there was no way it would ever sell for what I bid. I got my Winchester A5 that way too. It was cheap enough that I just HAD to have a rifle built to put it on. My wife keeps telling me to just not bid on stuff on E-bay.

Good advice. I always think I'll remember, but I never do.

 

[pmclaine]

I got layed up a few years ago after having my appendix out.

I spent recovery watching the kids swim in a pool while I cruised Ebay.

I bought shit like antique Stetson campaign hats, US sun helmets, antique EGAs and Lyman sight parts because the deals were too good to pass up.

 

[pitspitr]

I bought shit like antique Stetson campaign hats, US sun helmets, antique EGAs and Lyman sight parts because the deals were too good to pass up.

Sounds like you and I have similar tastes

 

[pmclaine]

Sounds like you and I have similar tastes
View attachment 7734469

Whoa now wait a minute sir!

Dressing like a Brit is like dressing in drag.

I appreciate your appreciation for history but join the "Mens League".

 

[pitspitr]

Hold on a sec, the Brit helmets had 6 panels the US 1889 helmet only had 4.

The guy in the background is wearing a German helmet

 

[pmclaine]

Hold on a sec, the Brit helmets had 6 panels the US 1889 helmet only had 4.

The guy in the background is wearing a German helmet

My flavor.....

Horrified my family by wearing it while watching for sharks Nauset Beach Cape Cod.

Karma paid me back because the wind whistling through the vent holes made me think I was surrounded by people with whistles.

 

[pitspitr]

Ok, so maybe you'd be more into this?

Oh, the bunny trails.....

 

[pitspitr]

...and I suppose this wasn't what you meant when you were talking about campaign hats either...

 

[pmclaine]

Ok, so maybe you'd be more into this?
View attachment 7734687

Oh, the bunny trails.....

Sweet!

 

[pmclaine]

...and I suppose this wasn't what you meant when you were talking about campaign hats either...View attachment 7734691

Plains hat was one mess of a hat....Never having benn in presence of one I dont know if it was a help or a hinderance.....I certainly would have carried a pin to style it depending on conditions.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Big Country, What do you plan to do with it? If competition is in your plans, you need to be aware that different organizations have different rules/requirements and that may influence your choices.

I currently own one of each stock style and am having another straight stock rifle built. I'm probably least fond of the C stock because of the "fat" feel pmclaine alluded to. None of mine are as nice as his rifles. Mine are all parts guns, but with the right load they are all really accurate.

Shooting it/adding it to the “vintage lineup” in my safe; I have a thing for the older rifles.

The one I handled/shot had the straight stock, and I’m still amazed at its accuracy and lack of recoil for an 06.

 

[pitspitr]

Plains hat was one mess of a hat....Never having benn in presence of one I dont know if it was a help or a hinderance.....I certainly would have carried a pin to style it depending on conditions.

The originals were made with built in hooks so you could fold them up but were usually pretty shoddy in terms of materials and workmanship. My repro is good enough made that it makes for a really good umbrella when it rains

 

[pitspitr]

Shooting it/adding it to the “vintage lineup” in my safe; I have a thing for the older rifles.

The one I handled/shot had the straight stock, and I’m still amazed at its accuracy and lack of recoil for an 06.

In that case you may find that 1903s are a bit like Lays potatoe chips, "bet you can't eat/own just one."

 

[pmclaine]

The originals were made with built in hooks so you could fold them up but we're usually pretty shoddy in terms of materials and workmanship. My repro is good enough made that it makes for a really good umbrella when it rains

Thank you for keeping History the present.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

My flavor.....

Horrified my family by wearing it while watching for sharks Nauset Beach Cape Cod.

Karma paid me back because the wind whistling through the vent holes made me think I was surrounded by people with whistles.

Is that a Howard in the back??

Sirhr

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I got layed up a few years ago after having my appendix out.

I spent recovery watching the kids swim in a pool while I cruised Ebay.

I bought shit like antique Stetson campaign hats, US sun helmets, antique EGAs and Lyman sight parts because the deals were too good to pass up.

Could not talk him into buying this one, though…

All that ‘festive’ for only $295?

Sirhr

 

[pmclaine]

Is that a Howard in the back??

Sirhr

Waltham.

 

[RedsandTX]

1942 SC, unissued.

 

[ShooterM1]

That is is i

I'd run towards a C stock, away from a straight stock, and approaching a scant stock slowly but steadily.

Also, try to find an NM rifle and enjoy

That is if you can find one....I've been looking for one since August.

 

[Random Guy]

1942 SC, unissued.

Nice looking rifle, only 5540 SC rifles were made in 1942 (they all had Sept 1942 barrels, but were note finished until December 42' due to an issue with the rear sight parts that required replacement before they could be accepted). Per Canfield's book, the SC contract began with serial # 3608000.

BTW, I will note in defense of the historical record, that all SC M1903A3s were made with 'straight' grip stocks. Your rifle has a nice looking 'scant' stock (aka 'semi-pistol grip'), which was only used during WWII by Remington on some of the M1903A4 sniper rifles. After WWII the scant stocks were used quite a lot as replacements. Attached is some info from one of many reference books on the M1903 rifles (03' Springfield Service Rifle by Bruce Canfield). The original issued SC stocks are also pretty easy to detect by unique inspection cartouche and inspection stamps on bottom (The 'band spring inlet' on the right side is round at the ends, which is also unique, as Remington stocks have a square cut). Anyhow, just an fyi re SC M1903s. They are neat rifles.

 

[pitspitr]

Could not talk him into buying this one, though…

All that ‘festive’ for only $295?

Sirhr

I know, right? I think he should too!

 

[pitspitr]

Thank you for keeping History the present.

No, Thank YOU and everyone on the board like you who made the history I study!

 

[pmclaine]

That is is i

That is if you can find one....I've been looking for one since August.

Party on the Hide has one but its a pretty rare bird with a "B" style stock. Looks like it moved.

Firearms - =======> Price Drop RARE 1903 Springfield National Match Rifle For Sale <============

I have a rare 1903 National Match Springfield w/ Type B stock for sale. Asking $5000 $4500 OBO. > $3850 @ . Cash is king for this beauty. Partial trade of AR10 308 considered I inherited this and am not a collector. I do have an old post here on the hide discussing the...

www.snipershide.com

 

[ShooterM1]

Party on the Hide has one but its a pretty rare bird with a "B" style stock. Looks like it moved.

Firearms - =======> Price Drop RARE 1903 Springfield National Match Rifle For Sale <============

I have a rare 1903 National Match Springfield w/ Type B stock for sale. Asking $5000 $4500 OBO. > $3850 @ . Cash is king for this beauty. Partial trade of AR10 308 considered I inherited this and am not a collector. I do have an old post here on the hide discussing the...

www.snipershide.com

Thanks for the information but i am looking for a C Stock only. I'm doing a 1941 USMC cloan and have most items minus the C Stock.

 

[pmclaine]

Thanks for the information but i am looking for a C Stock only. I'm doing a 1941 USMC cloan and have most items minus the C Stock.

PM sent to avoid violating any rules.

 

[RedsandTX]

Nice looking rifle, only 5540 SC rifles were made in 1942 (they all had Sept 1942 barrels, but were note finished until December 42' due to an issue with the rear sight parts that required replacement before they could be accepted). Per Canfield's book, the SC contract began with serial # 3608000.

BTW, I will note in defense of the historical record, that all SC M1903A3s were made with 'straight' grip stocks. Your rifle has a nice looking 'scant' stock (aka 'semi-pistol grip'), which was only used during WWII by Remington on some of the M1903A4 sniper rifles. After WWII the scant stocks were used quite a lot as replacements. Attached is some info from one of many reference books on the M1903 rifles (03' Springfield Service Rifle by Bruce Canfield). The original issued SC stocks are also pretty easy to detect by unique inspection cartouche and inspection stamps on bottom (The 'band spring inlet' on the right side is round at the ends, which is also unique, as Remington stocks have a square cut). Anyhow, just an fyi re SC M1903s. They are neat r

Here is the story on this rifle.
40 years ago I purchased it from my neighbor, his father was an executive at the SC facility that made the rifle, this was his retirement gift.
It was never issued to the government.
I used it for years hunting, it has the sweetest two stage trigger, my most cherished weapon.
The seller was going to sporterize it but never got around to it , thank God.
I paid $200 .

 

[pitspitr]

I hope you bought it 40 years ago

 

[pitspitr]

Thanks for the information but i am looking for a C Stock only. I'm doing a 1941 USMC cloan and have most items minus the C Stock.

I bought the one that my builder used on my 1941 replica on Ebay from a seller named wobsfund. It was a new unfinished one. I don't know if he has any more.

 

[pitspitr]

This is an O'Hare sight micrometer reproduction

The one I bought on ebay got here the day before yesterday. It is definitely an original. It appears to have been repaired as it has solder on it. The other bidders probably noticed it and that's probably why I got it so cheap. No matter, it appears to function properly and that's what I bought it for. The only markings on it are the P.J. O'Hare manufacture marking, no US like yours

 

[pmclaine]

The one I bought on ebay got here the day before yesterday. It is definitely an original. It appears to have been repaired as it has solder on it. The other bidders probably noticed it and that's probably why I got it so cheap. No matter, it appears to function properly and that's what I bought it for. The only markings on it are the P.J. O'Hare manufacture marking, no US like yours

Its a fantastic tool. Cant shoot 03 without it. Ill post some pics of my original.