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1903 Springfield

ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 2003 in Ask the Experts
A friend suggested I ask the pros so here goes:

Ser. # 883xxx

RIA over flaming bomb at top of barrel

2-19 below flaming bomb

U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 on the reciever

Very nice Parkerized finish on the metal.

Stock has the following markings:

224 stamped on the top of the handguard, forward of the rear sight.

Just above the triggerguard are two stampings, both enclosed in boxes. First one reads W.J.S. and the second is S.A. over S.P.G.

Any information greatly appreciated.
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Comments

  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    have 03 springfield ser # 185xxx. I read that there was a stamp on bottom of reciever that signified if the rifle was safe to shoot. there are a bunch of things stamped on bottom of reciever. does anyone know what the stamp put on by armory to signify that it is safe to shoot.Has 1942 barrel 4-groove.
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 1903 Springfield that has been sproterized with Hoffman Arms parts. I inherited this gun from my great grandfather. It appears to be missing the rear sight. Does anyone know of a place where I might find this piece?



    201212010407041.jpg
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a gun that was given to me by my grandfather. I don't know where he got it, and he doesnt seem to recall, however i can't seem to find a picture of it anywhere.Nor can i find it's value. The only time I've seen one was in the movie Saving Private Ryan. It looked exactly like the gun that the sniper (Jackson) used. It is a Springfield 1903, that I'm sure of, it says it on the barrel. But it doesnt look like any of the 1903's I've seen at gun auction sites or even the ones at the Springfield Armory site. It has an interchangeable scope,and a military strap. As I said it looks just like the sniper rifle in the movie. It has a short stock, and it can use strip clips, with a drop-out bottom. Any help to identify this?
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    US Springfield Armory Model 1903, serial # 22xxxx, dated AV with flaming bomb 12-18, bayonet, straight grip, very good condition. What is the approximate value and does it fall within the serial number range making it safe to shoot?
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi,
    have a 1903, made at Springfield Armory, serial 411xxx, (411K.
    Beautiful rifle, all original. Any idea as to value?
    Thanks.
    PS: even has the cleaning kit in the butt.
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A guy I know asked me to find out about the value of this rifle. Its serial number is 1231145 which translates to a build date of 1921. It was re-barreled on 9-24. Here are a few pics:

    DSC00968_zpsf76f2f37.jpg

    DSC00967_zps8014307b.jpg

    DSC00951_zps686a52ae.jpg

    DSC00955_zps35d4e46b.jpg

    DSC00950_zpsf974ffe8.jpg

    If you need more pictures I can send them to you. I also wanted to mention that it looks like someone taped the barrel for some kind of scope.
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can anyone explain all the "peeps" and "U" notches on a 1903 Springfield rear sight?? I'd like to shoot this in a Garand match my club holds but have no idea what all that is about. Also, the 1903 I just acquired is in the 460K range serial number. I understand that below 800K they are unsafe due to incorrectly heat treated receivers, but this one is a WWII rebuild with a new 8-42 barrel. Would the army re-barrel an "unsafe" receiver?

    Thanks for the advice
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    #916xxx date of mfg. please anyone.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like a nice early "high number" Springfield. At about 800,000 Springfield Armory started to "double heat treat" the receivers, so this one should be safe to shoot. However, you must also check the bolt to be sure that IT is safe; low number bolts are bent straight down at a right angle to the bolt body, and are unsafe. High number bolts are bent down AND swept back, and are safe. Any bolt marked NS is also safe.

    The replacement barrel, parkerizing, & SA/SPG stamp tell us that it was rebuilt at Springfield Armory.

    This rifle is certainly collectible, but not so valuable that you should worry about shooting it.

    I suggest that you buy the booklet "US Rifle, Caliber .30, M1903" from the Civilian Marksmanship Program.

    Neal
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Even the low numbered ones are PROBABLY ok to shoot in that only a few hundred perhaps ever failed out of about a million low numbered guns made, and the bad ones probably failed long ago... but why chance it? That said, my gunsmitty shoots his all the time no trouble, and I have heard of high numbered guns failing inexplicably. Bottom line, the gun is old, but if not abused, should be just fine. Springfields are great guns, best bolt action for target work of all the military rifles IMHO.

    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
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  • Myra-LouMyra-Lou Member Posts: 641 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sir what you have is a arsenal rebuilt shooter.......The reciver 883XXX was mfg in 1918......the barrel RIA 2-19 is a Remington Iland Plant mfg Feb 1919......on the stock W.J.S. SA S.P.G.(I have nothing on either initial sets).....of coures the SA means Springfield Armory.......Please recheck those initials......john.....
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  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Double-checked the initials. They are correct as originally posted. Thanks for the input.
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  • HerschelHerschel Member Posts: 2,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Myra-Lou, RIA as stamped on the 1903 rifle barrels means Rock Island Arsenal. Remington produced barrels in the 1940's are stamped RA which is an abbreviation for Remington Arms.
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  • Myra-LouMyra-Lou Member Posts: 641 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes you are correct, it was late and I was tired......It is Rock Island Arsenal.....I had my Duh! on......I thought about it at the gun show today aand wanted to come back on and make a correction......john.......I still can't find out about the WJS. Inspector.
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  • Der GebirgsjagerDer Gebirgsjager Member Posts: 1,673 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    There's a bit of bad luck! My list of inspectors says: WJS Unknown M1903 .30 Rifles 1917-1920.
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