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US SPINGFIELD MODEL 1903 RIFLE
SCPO RICE
Member Posts: 161 ✭✭✭
I just purchased at an Estate Auction a 1903 US Sprinfield Armory Miltary Rifle. It has the a serial number of 554xxx. Also marked on the barrel is 25 roberts, Re barreled by Griffin and Howe, Inc New York. Can anyone tell me some info on this gun such as Ammunition used, approximate value and if it is a collectible. I think the Ammunition is 30-06 but I am not certain, Thanks Jeff
Comments
Pictures would help, but it sounds like a rebarrel to .257 Roberts. "06 ammo shouldn't come close to chambering. Griffin & Howe was among the best. Unless it's been abused or reworked after they had it you likely have a real prize! Great cartridge too. What's it wearing for wood?
Sporterized '03s usually sell in the $150-200 range; you would be fortunate to get that much, given the low number & uncertainty of the chambering.
Neal
I am going to send some pictures , They may help. It appears to have a monte carlo. [img][/img]
CAUTION: .25 Roberts is NOT the same as .257 Roberts.
REPEAT: .25 Roberts is NOT .257 Roberts.
There are actually three different cartridges in the "family." Ned Roberts had rifles made up for the 7x57 necked down to .25 caliber with a 15 deg shoulder and the neck trimmed back. These were originally made by Neidner, then Griffin & Howe picked up the caliber. Griffin & Howe started out chambering .25 Roberts rifles for the Neidner version but theirs were later chambered for full length brass, to save the labor of trimming.
The commercial .257 Roberts is a Remington design with a 20 degree shoulder, similar to the parent 7x57, and at full length.
They are NOT interchangeable.
CH-4D lists .25 Roberts loading dies but does not say if they are for original or G&H length.
A visit to a knowledgeable gunsmith for a chamber cast is the best thing to do, if you assume that G&H could tell whether a low number Springfield was safe to fire. You could contact G&H to see if there are any old records. Might not be, the current company shares little but the name with the original of 50 - 70 years ago.
Which is one more reason to know what you are buying.
They could be contacted and may have a record on it.
I owe them a Hi Standard HDM which they wrote off.
M1903 Springfield Armory receivers under #800,000 are considered unsafe to fire. But, there are always some folks who don't take such warnings seriously.
Sporterized '03s usually sell in the $150-200 range; you would be fortunate to get that much, given the low number & uncertainty of the chambering.
Neal
Hello Neal,
By whom? In my opinion, this is another one of those mostly false myths that has been perpetuated for so long now, that it it is now incorrectly believed to be the gospel truth (not shooting damascus barreled shotguns is another example).
Dr. Lyons (a noted Model 1903 collector) wrote an outstanding article that discusses and details the statisical probability of an old Model 1903 receiver failing during normal firing (normal firing defined as using proper loads) - http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/
I personally do not believe that there is any significant or inhernet danger in shooting any low serial numbered Model 1903 that has survived to this day.
WACA Historian & Life Member
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
M1903 Springfield Armory receivers under #800,000 are considered unsafe to fire. But, there are always some folks who don't take such warnings seriously.
Sporterized '03s usually sell in the $150-200 range; you would be fortunate to get that much, given the low number & uncertainty of the chambering.
Neal
Hello Neal,
By whom? In my opinion, this is another one of those mostly false myths that has been perpetuated for so long now, that it it is now incorrectly believed to be the gospel truth (not shooting damascus barreled shotguns is another example).
Dr. Lyons (a noted Model 1903 collector) wrote an outstanding article that discusses and details the statisical probability of an old Model 1903 receiver failing during normal firing (normal firing defined as using proper loads) - http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/
I personally do not believe that there is any significant or inhernet danger in shooting any low serial numbered Model 1903 that has survived to this day.
Sorry Bert I disagree, these things are so dangerous I built a storage facility in Alaska to keep them away from folks so they don't get hurt. Heck I even pay the shipping charges ;-).
MP
quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
M1903 Springfield Armory receivers under #800,000 are considered unsafe to fire. But, there are always some folks who don't take such warnings seriously.
Sporterized '03s usually sell in the $150-200 range; you would be fortunate to get that much, given the low number & uncertainty of the chambering.
Neal
Hello Neal,
By whom? In my opinion, this is another one of those mostly false myths that has been perpetuated for so long now, that it it is now incorrectly believed to be the gospel truth (not shooting damascus barreled shotguns is another example).
Dr. Lyons (a noted Model 1903 collector) wrote an outstanding article that discusses and details the statisical probability of an old Model 1903 receiver failing during normal firing (normal firing defined as using proper loads) - http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/
I personally do not believe that there is any significant or inhernet danger in shooting any low serial numbered Model 1903 that has survived to this day.
Sorry Bert I disagree, these things are so dangerous I built a storage facility in Alaska to keep them away from folks so they don't get hurt. Heck I even pay the shipping charges ;-).
MP
My point exactly[;)]. Good to know that others are not blinded by the "truth"[^].
WACA Historian & Life Member