Scott Duff: Collectible M1903 Rifles

Scott Duff * PO Box 414 * Export, Pennsylvania 15632
1-724-327-8246 E-Mail sdufforder@windstream.net 1-724-327-4192 Fax

This page was last updated on 30 January 2012

WARNING: I have noted that many collectors are becoming interested in the M1903 Rifles for the first time. With that in mind, I feel it is worth reminding all that certain low serial numbered M1903 rifles may be unsafe to fire. The receivers of some early rifles are of questionable strength due to through hardening causing brittleness and resulting in receivers which may shatter! According to U.S. Army reports as published in Hatcher’s Notebook, Chapter XVIII Springfield Armory M1903 rifles below serial number 800000 and Rock Island M1903 rifles below serial number 285507 may be unsafe to fire. Firing these low serial numbered rifles has caused serious injury as detailed in Hatcher’s Notebook! M1903 rifles with serial numbers below those previously stated should be considered as collectibles only and should not be fired!

!!SOLD!! 0212-R1546. M1903A3 Rifle, Smith-Corona, s/n 3608100 (1942). This is the lowest serial number Smith-Corona M1903A3 rifle that we have ever been able to offer for sale. Their assigned serial number range began with s/n 3608000, making this rifle the 101st number. As I have never seen an S-C of this early of manufacture I have no idea how much of the rifle is original. The details are as follows: The original dark green Parkerized finish of the receiver and barrel is in excellent condition, The S-C 9-42 six-groove barrel has a bright and shiny bore with TE = 1.5, MW = 0.75+. There is a typical mix of Parkerized and blued components. The bolt is marked on the top of the bolt handle with an X (S-C) and on the underside of the bolt handle with a 1 and a punch mark. The cocking piece, bolt sleeve, safety, rear sight, middle band with sling swivel, and the smooth butt plate are Parkerized. The front band, stacking swivel, cut off, and trigger guard are blued. The trigger guard is of Remington manufacture. The style C (full pistol grip) stock with K (Keystone) in the cut off area is in very good condition. It is devoid of cartouche or Ordnance emblem, but does have a proof P in a 7/16-inch diameter circle and the typical inspection stamps forward of the trigger guard floor plate. If you want to own an early production M1903A3 Smith-Corona, do not pass this one up as it may be the earliest example you will ever find. - $1,595

M1903A3 Smith-Corona, s/n 3608100

M1903A3 Smith-Corona, s/n 3608100, Right

M1903A3 Smith-Corona, s/n 3608100, Left

M1903A3 Smith-Corona, s/n 3608100, SN

0212-R1547. M1903 Rifle, Springfield Armory, s/n 1035645 U.S. Navy/U.S. Coast Guard Line-Throwing Rifle with Wooden Carrying Case. This is a very scarce Line-Throwing Rifle. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Line-Throwing Rifle based on the M1903 rifles is described in Lt. Col. William S. Brophy’s book The Springfield 1903 Rifles on pages 151through 153. This modified rifle has the canister attached (no line included) and includes one line throwing projectile. The wooden carrying case is included and is stenciled U.S. COAST GUARD. The interior pieces of the case are missing. This is a very scarce M1903 variation and is the first one that we have been able to offer for sale. Additional shipping charges will apply due to the weight of the chest and contents (45# plus packaging). - $2,995

M1903, Springfield Armory, s/n 1035645 Line Throwing Rifle

M1903, Springfield Armory, s/n 1035645 Line Throwing Rifle SN

M1903, Springfield Armory, s/n 1035645 Line Throwing Rifle, Case

M1903, Springfield Armory, s/n 1035645 Line Throwing Rifle, Rifle & Case

M1903, Springfield Armory, s/n 1035645 Line Throwing Rifle, Inside Lid

!!SOLD!! 4311-R1529. M1903 National Match Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344 (1925). This is an undocumented, no Springfield Research Service (SRS) letter or DCM sales information, rifle that matches the description of a National Match Special as detailed in text and photographs in The Springfield 1903 Rifles by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy on pages 203-205. According to Brophy, these National Match Special rifles were available through the DCM from 1924 through 1928. He describes this model as a National Match grade rifle fitted with Model 1922 pistol grip stock with military forend. The stock has a pistol grip of the type found on the Style T and NRA Sporter, has an all-steel shotgun type butt plate, and full-length military forend without finger grooves. Featured parts and NM modifications include: the bolt and extractor are polished and the full serial number is etched on the bolt, headless cocking piece, reversed safety, serrated trigger, the rear sight leaf is the type without 2,850-yard notch, a Lyman receiver sight, and the front sight is a gold bead Marbles. Overall the metal finish is in very good to excellent condition. The bore of the star-gauged SA 9-24 barrel is bright and shiny, TE = 4.0+, and MW = 2.25. The stock and handguard are in excellent condition. As described by Brophy, there is no inspector’s cartouche and there is a proof P in a circle stamped on the pistol grip. The full serial number of the rifle is stamped forward of the rear sling swivel and the drawing number D28179 is stamped on the handguard. This is a rarely seen’03 NM variation as not many were made. - Reduced to $3,695!

M1903 NM Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344

M1903 NM Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344 Right

M1903 NM Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344 Right Close

M1903 NM Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344 Left

M1903 NM Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344 Butt Plate

M1903 NM Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344 Stock

M1903 NM Special, Springfield Armory, s/n 1267344 Front Sight

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