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Firearms >> Other Firearms >> M1903 Question
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Message started by bote on Mar 21st, 2018 at 2:27pm

Title: Re: M1903 Question
Post by butlersrangers on Mar 22nd, 2018 at 1:06am
'bote' - I don't think the Poyer book on the 1903 Springfield is very highly regarded or trusted.

IIRC - Springfield Armory experienced vast cut backs between the World Wars. Barrelled Actions and components continued to be made and held in reserve. There were adequate complete arms for the peace time army. During the late 1920's and 1930's complete arms were mainly National Match Rifles and arms for civilian sales.

The equipping for WW-2 led to the store of parts and components being made into rifles or used in rebuilding rifles.

FWIW - I have a 1903 Springfield, #1,492,690, with a likely original barrel, dated 11/35. This action never was updated with a 'Hatcher hole', (vent hole added to left side of receiver ring and found on most WW-2 rebuilds).

I would be suspicious of a #1,4xx,xxx serial number range, 1903 Springfield, with a 1927 dated barrel. I believe an original barrel would be dated 1934 or 1935.

If this receiver has a Hatcher hole, it could then be a WW-2 build or rebuild and then things can get stranger.

If you are buying it for its shooting merits and not as an all original pristine collection piece, it should make you happy and be worth around $750.

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