Posted: 11/25/2015 9:08:10 AM EDT
My uncle left me this 1903 Springfield rifle. I'm completely ignorant about these, so I have some questions for the experts here. I see that it's a Mark I, and I understand that this means that it was a special model that would accept a "device" for firing a pistol round in semi. Unfortunately no "device" came with it. 
I also understand that the serial number puts it well into the safe range for shooting and that the stock has clearly been replaced. I'd like to make it a wall hanger for occasional shooting. In doing so, I'd like to take it back to its original look if possible. I've never handled one of these before, but I do own a few bolt action rifles. The action feels absolutely amazing to me. I'll cross post in the M1 rifles sub-forum as well, but I figured that posting it here was worth a shot as well. A few questions for you please: 1. Any reason I can't shoot it? Anything to inspect? I'm assuming that I can use any commercial 3006 rounds, but with a preference for bullets closer to 150 grain as opposed to larger bullets? I'd like to just get a couple boxes of soft points so that I could hunt with it if I choose. 2. I'd like to put a period stock on it. Any advice on a source and what to look for? I'd like something authentic, but I'd also like to avoid investing a lot in this rifle. 3. Any advice on cleaning / maintenance? The action feels like butter, but the barrel looks kind of nasty. Do I just pull the bolt and clean bore to muzzle? Light lubrication on the bolt? Anything need greasing on this? 4. Approximate value? I'll not sell it, just curious. 5. Anything look goofy on it other than the stock? Anything else look unoriginal or perhaps rebuilt? Any details that you have are welcome. Thank you fellas! 
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The rear sight assembly is missing, stock is missing, rifle has been blued. Cannot tell what the front sight looks like or whether the barrel has been cut down. You should be able to see a month and date with either RIA or SA above the numbers as well as a flaming bomb just aft of the front sight.
The M1903 MkI also had it's own modified M1903 finger groove stock. Basically it had a small cutout for the ejection port in the top of the stock. Original MkI stocks are hard to find. Rear sight assemblies are not hard to find but you'll have to do some reading to get one with the right parts for your serial number. The device that was inserted to fire pistol caliber rounds was called the Pederson Device. Very very rare and very very expensive, although I did read somewhere that somebody was now starting to reproduce them. As for value the MkI does not really have any more value attached to it than a regular M1903. Even less when highly modified. Around here they go for about $800 in original condition. The last sporter I bought was $250 and only took a stock to restore it back to original condition. |
| You've got nicely done sporterized 03, I'd enjoy it for what it is and the sentimental value, the cost to bring back to original issue configuration is likely more than you'll want to spend. You'd be surprised at how well rough bores often clean up just fine with one of the more aggressive cleaners (Sweets 7.62) and even if it's still a bit rough should still shoot fine. You might want to start with getting some Kroil into the barrel before anything else to help loosen up stuff. Otherwise just treat this like any other bolt action rifle. |
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Quoted:
You've got nicely done sporterized 03, I'd enjoy it for what it is and the sentimental value, the cost to bring back to original issue configuration is likely more than you'll want to spend. You'd be surprised at how well rough bores often clean up just fine with one of the more aggressive cleaners (Sweets 7.62) and even if it's still a bit rough should still shoot fine. You might want to start with getting some Kroil into the barrel before anything else to help loosen up stuff. Otherwise just treat this like any other bolt action rifle. This. |
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Quoted:
You've got nicely done sporterized 03, I'd enjoy it for what it is and the sentimental value, the cost to bring back to original issue configuration is likely more than you'll want to spend. You'd be surprised at how well rough bores often clean up just fine with one of the more aggressive cleaners (Sweets 7.62) and even if it's still a bit rough should still shoot fine. You might want to start with getting some Kroil into the barrel before anything else to help loosen up stuff. Otherwise just treat this like any other bolt action rifle. Yup. I have an 1899 Krag in similar condition/sporterized from my grandfather. |