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Posted: 11/25/2015 9:05:31 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 "bolt action" rifles sub-forum as well, but I figured that the M1a / M1 Garand guys would know about this one. 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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Other than the sporter stock, looks superficially good to me.
Here's the "device" you're asking about. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedersen_device |
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To restore it you would need a new barrel with the sight collar for the rear sight, a front sight, military stock with hardware.
It is restorable but not a financially sound thing to do. It's a decent hunting rifle now. Leave it alone or sell it unless you just have to sink about $400-500 into it. About the only thing that keeps it from being a complete basket case as far as restoring goes is that the receiver was not drilled and tapped for a scope mount. You can buy original military barrels both used and NIW, but the NIW are most often 03A3 barrels (no barrel coller/rear sight base), you can also find "scant" stocks fairly cheap or buy replacement new repro stocks. CMP had them but Dupage or Boyds would also have them. The bits and pieces hardware are around. just my two cents worth. Edit, as it sits I would say it's value is $200-250, $300 would be really pushing it. |
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I'd leave it just the way it is. I don't think there's any turning it back into military configuration (I'm assuming the aftermarket rear sight required irreversible modifications to install). It's a pretty typical example of what people did back then: take perfectly good military rifles and make them "better" for deer and such. Had it been left alone it would have been a $750 rifle. Now it's a $250 rifle and always will be. Almost nothing (nothing economical anyway) you do will change that.
Enjoy it for what it is -- a shooter. Have the headspace checked, buy some shells and take the thing out and shoot it. |
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Quoted:
To restore it you would need a new barrel with the sight collar for the rear sight, a front sight, military stock with hardware. It is restorable but not a financially sound thing to do. It's a decent hunting rifle now. Leave it alone or sell it unless you just have to sink about $400-500 into it. About the only thing that keeps it from being a complete basket case as far as restoring goes is that the receiver was not drilled and tapped for a scope mount. just my two cents worth. This. Beat me to it . . . You have either: 1.) A sporter rifle worth $250 2.) A receiver and bolt worth $250 (maybe a little more). Your choice. |
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Thank you for the information. I had no idea that the sights had been changed too. Glad I asked.
I suppose it's freeing...no need to mess with it, just shoot and enjoy. I have nothing in 3006, so I'll see what I can find at walmart. Am I correct that something in the 150 grn soft point flavor should be okay? Thanks again everybody! |
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If you google a 1903 rifle you'll see that it has a rear ladder sight that flips up with an aperture for longer range shooting and an open sight. I actually didn't know that the Mk1 designated that the pedersen device could be used. I thought it was just what they called the ealier type, open sighted 03. As opposed to the 03A3....
But yeah, it's sporterized. It would cost a good bit of money to return it to original. I'm skeptical that the finish is original, so.... it is what it is. It's a pretty good job of it besides that big endcap on the stock. I think they're cool guns when done well. I don't get all upset about it. It's what people did back in the day to surplus rifles to use them for hunting and shooting. You could turn it back to original but you'd need a new barrel, so..... One time I came across a sporterized one that WAS drilled and tapped and I should've bought it. Because I could've then made a 03A4 repro. Which is what I wanted to do with my 03A3 until I learned out about the scope mounts. I don't want to mess up mine, but if you find one already messed up, why not? Especially now with repro scopes. Man I'd love an 03A4....... I bought a scant stock for mine. I think I paid 100 bucks without hardware. I took the metal parts from my straight stock. It has a better feel. I think a straight stock looks good though. An original C stock is money though. Like 400 bucks. 
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If you think it' worth saving you should investigate some of the places that sell restored M1903s and inquire if they can use your rifle as a starting point rather than a receiver they have on hand. There may also be M1903 "parts kits" still available. You need a complete stock and barrel with the sights too.
These guns were commonly turned into deer rifles in the 1950s just like Krags were in the 1920s and 1930s. My M1898 Carbine is really a cut town M1898 Rifle with a sawed off barrel and M1903 sight stuck on the barrel. -- Chuck |
| IF... you're looking on turning it back into a Military Arm, Criterion Barrels makes a repro 1903 and '03A3 barrel that may fit your needs. |
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