This was my12th Turkish Mauser, picked up in 2009. I had been picking up M38 K.Kale Turks and already had the dates covered from 1940 to 1946 with a duplicate '43 & '45. I also had an ATF Turk and a Short Turk but, didn't have a 1903.
A friend gave me a call letting me know that there was a 1903 for sale over on Gunboards.
It was no bueaty queen but the price was right.  The rifle was just what I was looking for. She's old, worn and looks like she did a lot of fighting in her younger days.
I have a soft spot for old Warhorses

1903/30 These rifles started out life as 1903 pattern Mauser built in Germany on Contract for Turkey. The 1903 patern is an intermediate action meaning its receiver and bolt are shorter in length in compairison to ones of a K98. when the Turks began upgrading these rifles in 1930 they had to cut a notch in the front ring of the receiver so that the action could accept the new 8MM cartridge. many of these rifles have tear drop shapped bolt handles.
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http://i40.tinypic.com/p7pjp.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/25auoec.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/muajb6.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2a68cyb.jpg

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http://i41.tinypic.com/192r08.jpg

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http://i39.tinypic.com/15fllvo.jpg

I have a 03-38 all matching #`s & it is one hell of an accurate shooter.