1903A1 National Match rifle

[Calfed]

A couple of years back I saw a 1903 rifle on auction, billed as a National Match model. It looked right and I requested a Springfield Research Service serial number check on it. The inquiry came back with a hit from the SRS...1903A1 NM DCM sale, 9/12/1938. Based on this, I went ahead and made the opening bid on it. Also saw a 1903A4 at the same auction and put in the opening bid on that one.

I didn't hear anything from the auction house for a few months and assumed that I had been outbid. Out of the blue, I got an email from the auction house advising that I had won both rifles. I previously posted about the A4, but here are a few pictures of the NM rifle.

 

[S12A]

very nice, congratulations

 

[jbell]

Oh man if the bore looks half as nice as the outside you sir have a awesome rifle!

 

[Calfed]

Oh man if the bore looks half as nice as the outside you sir have a awesome rifle!

Barrel is excellent, measures a "0" on the CMP muzzle gauge, and has the star gauge mark.

 

[jbell]

Very cool

 

[rgg_7]

That's quite a find. Congratulations!

Ron (Canada)

 

[eicas]

Wow.

 

[Calfed]

This is the SRS letter on the rifle and a copy of the purchase record...

 

[BarkBeetle]

What was the auction site?

 

[Calfed]

What was the auction site?

It was a "fine gun auction" by Blixt and Co.

Holts – Blixt and Company

www.blixtco.com

A new thing, which I don't think work out that well for them. Prices were low .

 

[Calfed]

Here is my post on the 1903A4 that I won at the same auction...

1903A4

Two years ago I glommed this A4 at an online estate auction. It was a bit strange...I put in an absentee bid and kinda forgot about it. A few monyths later got an email from the auction house that I had won this one and a 1903 NM that i had also bid on. It came with a B prefix Lyman Alaskan scope.

www.snipershide.com

 

[Calfed]

The top pictures are from the auction site. Here are a few pictures I took recently

 

[pmclaine]

Love that old school upper handguard......interesting the "Hatcher" hole appears to be Philedelphia USMC drilled rather than Springfield. Looks like it has a little evidence of a burr. I see the sales lit says NM in a private sale though.

Paging @cplnorton ........

 

[Calfed]

Here are a few pictures I took recently of the 03A4...

 

[vortexyz]

Always wanted an 03a4. Yours is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Calfed]

Always wanted an 03a4. Yours is absolutely gorgeous.

Thanks, vortexyz!

 

[Gary/CO]

Nice rifles

 

[Hi-Lux Optics]

Here are a few pictures I took recently of the 03A4...

With a Lyman Alaskan! That's a neat find. Looks like it's in great condition.

 

[Deplorable1]

Beautiful rifle.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Very nice. Congrats on one of the finest military-based target rifles out there.

 

[Calfed]

With a Lyman Alaskan! That's a neat find. Looks like it's in great condition.

Thanks, Scott. The "B" series serial numbered Lyman Alaskans are generally acknowledged to be USGI scopes

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

@pmclaine @sandwarrior @cplnorton @sirhrmechanic etc.. anybody know what the differences are between 1903 Nat’l Match vs 1903 Special Target?

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Not my area... but you hit the right high points!

Sirhr

 

[Mister Ridge]

@pmclaine @sandwarrior @cplnorton @sirhrmechanic etc.. anybody know what the differences are between 1903 Nat’l Match vs 1903 Special Target?

I know I wasn't included in the question but I have a copy of Brophy's book. He states that pre-1928, the Special Target was a standard service rifle with a star gauged barrel. Between 1928 and 1930, it was a reconditioned National Match rifle with the "specially designed" NM parts replaced with standard parts. After 1930, it was a reconditioned National Match rifle with a C stock. He discusses it on page 201. Hope that helps.

I would post a picture of the passage but I think that would violate copyright law.

 

[cplnorton]

@pmclaine @sandwarrior @cplnorton @sirhrmechanic etc.. anybody know what the differences are between 1903 Nat’l Match vs 1903 Special Target?

Where all the authors have got confused is "Special Target" actually was used for about 6 or 7 different models of rifles sold thru the DCM. It was used in every title of the different models they sold. Otherwise for instance, special target national Match, or Special Target heavy barrel.

Then Ordnance realized that there was a lot of confusion on the term special target, so they reclassified it in the late 20s.

So they actually reclassified it to where it meant a prior year National Match rifle that was cleaned or repaired.

So any NM rifle that had any work done on it, became a Special Target.