Low Serial # 1903 Springfield opinion

[oscarflytyer]

So, looking at a low # 1903 Springfield (<300,000). And I know "conventional wisdom" is not to shoot these. My personal opinion, having done some research, is that most of the failures were probably more attributable to the brass of the day than the action. Having said that, I do understand that the way they forged the steel could be at least the culprit on some of the failures.

This particular one has been sportered, and someone did a very nice job. Plus has a peep sight (so I can see to shoot the danged thing).

My thought is to get it for real cheap if possible and just shoot low level cast in it all day along. Feel free to tell me it is a bad idea.

 

[RicinYakima]

Three things: first check headspace, second have the bolt magna-fluxed for cracks, lastly size cases only enough to have the bolt close. PM me for a full discussion of this issue, but I'm not doing it on a public forum.

 

[oscarflytyer]

done - THANX!

 

[300BLK]

It is wise to be prudent, but what year does the serial number correspond to? Is it a SA or RIA action? How many blow-ups correspond to that year?

Does it have the original bolt or a later bolt? The markings should be on the rear lug.

Does the barrel make and date correspond to the action date(assuming military barrel)?

Does the action have a Hatcher hole?

 

[freebullet]

I looked at a sporter example last fall. Not knowing enough about them I passed mainly due to the super shiny Monte Carlo stock someone put it in. At 500$ I didn't know if it was a good buy or not.

 

[oscarflytyer]

I looked at a sporter example last fall. Not knowing enough about them I passed mainly due to the super shiny Monte Carlo stock someone put it in. At 500$ I didn't know if it was a good buy or not.

Personally wouldn't go over ~$300 for Sporter. Can find an original not much over $500 if patient. Might bump up a bit for fantastic wood AND fancy target peep sights...

 

[oscarflytyer]

It is wise to be prudent, but what year does the serial number correspond to? Is it a SA or RIA action? How many blow-ups correspond to that year?

Does it have the original bolt or a later bolt? The markings should be on the rear lug.

Does the barrel make and date correspond to the action date(assuming military barrel)?

Does the action have a Hatcher hole?

It is a SA. Prob early.mid year 1907. 297xxx. that year failures? not sure... Prob more than later ones... Bolt? No clue. Hatcher hole? Not sure. Is the small hole on RS front of receiver. Barrel has been replaced or sportered. Def turned down to sporter taper. Date stamped in front of receiver 3/23/42.

 

[RicinYakima]

Springfield's have no date stamped in the front of the receiver. Please describe this better.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Springfield's have no date stamped in the front of the receiver. Please describe this better.

best I can already! You are correct. why I state not original bbl/stamp. Either replacement bbl with date stamped or mil bbl turned down and date marked. It is NOT a mil date mark!

 

[300BLK]

A "Hatcher hole" would be on the L side of the receiver to line up with the hole in the bolt. These were done beginning in 1936 on arsenal rebuilds.
3-23-42 on the rear of the barrel strikes me oddly. I wouldn't have bet there was much civilian gunsmithing on '03s during wartime.

Here is an interesting read on low numbers
http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/

Ric mentioned having the bolt checked. Bolts in actions aren't necessarily original, and both of my old '03s have newer bolts.
bolt codes
http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html

 

[oscarflytyer]

reading the Lyon paper. Rifle is mid 1907. One year there were a number of failures. Gonna pass on this one. Thanx for all the input. Invaluable as always! Now, for that illusive 32-20! lol