Two new detail photos of my N.M. 1903

[Fred]

Here are two photos showing a close up of the color case hardening on the magazine selector switch and also of the proof and rack number stamps behind the trigger guard. I wonder if the 77 or 73 or 33 or 37 stamp, probably a rack number, indicates that this rifle had been held within a rack of other National Match rifles at Camp Perry, Ohio. If so, then the rifle might very well have been and probably was sold to a competitor there for the going rate of such a rifle, which was 40 something odd dollars. Big money almost a Century ago.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/NMR33_zpsf079ee5f.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/NMR33_zpsf079ee5f.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/NMR30_zps89047abb.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/NMR30_zps89047abb.jpg.html)

[Fred]

Did all National Match 03's have color case hardened magazine cut offs?

[John Beard]

Did all National Match 03's have color case hardened magazine cut offs?

Color casehardening on magazine cutoffs was not exclusive to NM rifles. The finish on NM rifle parts generally followed the same schedule as service rifle parts. At some point, the finish on cutoffs changed to bluing. But, I'd have to go digging in some files to establish the date. I wouild guess that it's somewhere in the 1920's.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

p.s.,

You might be interested to learn that the magazine cutoffs for the 1919 NM rifles were furnished by Rock Island Arsenal and had serifed lettering in addition to a color casehardened finish.

[Rick the Librarian]

Here's a picture of the cutoff on my Springfield 1919 NM and it has the serif lettering on the cutoff as John says.

http://www.fototime.com/EBE232BCB13BA41/standard.jpg

[Fred]

That's pretty neat. So your rifle is certainly correct. I saw a 1920 national match being sold that mentioned serifs on the cutoff. Maybe it was replaced or maybe Springfield was using up left over cutoffs from the 1919 run? Although it still showed some color case hardening, they didn't mention it. I'll try to find it. Here's the link below.

http://www.icollector.com/Scarce-Springfield-Model-1903-1920-National-Match-Pattern-Rifle_i11407816

[Rick the Librarian]

Not to hijack the thread, but here are a few pictures of my Springfield 1919 National Match, 1,092,290. You can see from the pictures it is not a pristine example - the stock (at least around the grasping grooves) has been sanded somewhat. A 12-18 barrel and a WJS inspection stamp. A J5 "bent" bolt.

The one question mark on this rifle is the finish on the receiver. I wondered if it was that "special" finish, like Fred's but John said he didn't think so. Almost looks like varnish. I toyed with he idea of trying to remove it, but decided that doing nothing to it might be better than trying to do something that might boomerang on me.

http://www.fototime.com/1A036F153B47B7C/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/3B576C10FE932A2/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/8B11865F07013DD/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/17DC09F9B02CC1B/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/0E5128530265983/standard.jpg

[Fred]

Heck No, you're not hijacking anything! Any and all input regarding the subject is open to anybody. I only offered my rifle's cutoff as an example of the subject of finishes on the National Match rifles. Rick, I wonder if your rifle could have the coating that was mentioned in that listing of the rifle I just put up that mentioned a black paint on the rear sight base. I've never herd of that before. Could that be the Asphaultum that John mentioned as being originally painted on the barrels around the front (maybe to protect the metal from sweaty hands)? I either read somewhere or was told by John that it was also Sometimes put on floor plates and trigger guards. Could it also have been put on receivers and rear sight bases? Hmmm... Chuck in Denver mentioned in a post about another National Match rifle that'd come out of the woods about the rear sight leafs on some National Match rifles having a tar like stuff put on the face.

[Rick the Librarian]

I seem to recall that John said it wasn't, but may be worth another look. If you look carefully, it almost appears there was a drop of solvent of some kind applied to the receiver.

I had to give up one of my (non-Red Star) Remington M1903s and some cash to get it a few years ago. At some point, I need to take some better pictures of it. The guy I got it from was using it as a shooter.

[Fred]

Your receiver looks like it has oil quenched blackening to me Rick, just as it should. I wonder what the description was all about in that link I posted that mentioned a black substance being painted on the rear sight base?

[Rick the Librarian]

I'll see if I can post a better picture of the receiver. It definitely has a "shiny" look that didn't come through in the pictures above.

A really crummy picture distorted by the flash, but it does show the "shine" somewhat better, as well as the "spot" in the middle.

http://www.fototime.com/6932FA6E24F70B6/standard.jpg

[m1903rifle]

Rick,
Leave that "black stuff" alone. It's original and applied by Springfield. I have owned both 1920NM and 1921NM rifles, and both of them had the black finish. I also have a friend who owns a 1919NM with the black finish. I'm not sure when the practice started or stopped, but it was definitely applied in 1919, 1920, and 1921. The rifles are parkerized UNDER the black finish.

[Fred]

I'm learning something with every posted input on this subject! Thanks guys! John told me that the Asphaultum can be removed, accidentally or otherwise, by the use of petroleum products or cleaners. Like oils or solvents. Be careful!

[Rick the Librarian]

As I said, the idea of removing passed a long time ago. Maybe John will give us his option and in the meantime, I'll see if I can take a better picture. I learned a long time ago that, with rifles, it is better to do nothing than do something and later find out that you should have done nothing! :D

[Fred]

Yes, John! I'd like to hear anything that Chuck or Anyone would have to share about all of this too.

[joem]

I tried oil blackening on a couple of BP kit guns. It has quite a shine to it and seems to hold up well.

[Fred]

Well, I'm going to clean my bores out on all of my 03's today using just Hot soapy water in a large plastic coffee can, pumped up into the barrel with a cleaning rod while the muzzle is down inside of the water. I'm afraid to use WD-40 afterwards to chase out the residual water. It might dissolve the applied finish!

[Rick the Librarian]

Here's another "go" at showing the receiver:

http://www.fototime.com/389EC56C9A2C82E/standard.jpg

And a "big" one showing the whole receiver area.

http://www.fototime.com/5BE624F6017662F/standard.jpg

[CptEnglehorn]

beautiful rifles, now if I may pry, being that this finish is sensitive to oils and solvents, is there any particular ones to definatley stay way from, which ones would most likely be safe. If I should ever come to own such a rifle it might be good info to have, or even to pass on to someone else that may own a rifle with such finish.

[John Beard]

Concurrent with introduction of the Mark I rifle, Springfield changed the receiver finish from blue to black. The chemical nature of the black finish is unknown, but is believed to be oil blackening that was a direct by-product of the double heat treating process. The black finish is glossy and is reasonably durable.

Also concurrent with introduction of the Mark I rifle, Springfield changed the finish of most remaining parts to olive-grey parkerizing. The olive-grey parkerizing, however, was painted over with asphaltum on exposed surfaces. As mentioned previously, alsphaltum is a black asphalt-based paint (commonly used to paint old automobile radiators) and is soluble in most petroleum-based solvents. Consequently, many rifles lost their original asphaltum finish when cleaned, usually with gasoline.

On a rifle with its original asphaltum finish, you can remove the handguard and see where the rear sight base was hand-painted over along with the front barrel stub, but the middle of the barrel covered by the handguard exhibits the unpainted parkerizing.

As with any manufacturing change, a transition serial range exists where a rifle could correctly have either configuration. With few exceptions, changes did not appear abruptly by serial number because rifles were not assembled in serial number sequence.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Fred]

John, what was the purpose of the asphaltum finish?

[John Beard]

John, what was the purpose of the asphaltum finish?

One can only speculate what the purpose of the asphaltum finish was. One explanation I heard revolved around weatherproofing the rifle based on experience with Krag rifles in the Philippines. That explanation, however, seems a bit of a stretch because earlier blued rifles were not painted and they were less durable than parkerizing. Another explanation would be to darken the rifle and reduce visibility to an enemy. That explanation seems more plausible.

For what it's worth.

J.B.

[Fred]

I'm left wondering what the advantage of reducing the visibility of a National Match competition rifle would be. Especially one that still retained a highly reflective polished bolt. Maybe the thought was to prepare such rifles for an eventual need to use them in war when their bolts would be darkened?

[John Beard]

I'm left wondering what the advantage of reducing the visibility of a National Match competition rifle would be. Especially one that still retained a highly reflective polished bolt. Maybe the thought was to prepare such rifles for an eventual need to use them in war when their bolts would be darkened?

National Match rules required that the rifles be in service rifle configuration with no special sights or other non-standard modifications. Deviations to those rules, such as polished bolts, reverse safeties, and headless cocking pieces, required extensive justifications and approvals at the highest levels. It was probably easier just to paint the rifles rather than pushing the bureaucracy for a deviation.

Springfield Armory was also in business to sell rifles. The black paint was more attractive than dull olive-grey parkerizing.

J.B.

[Fred]

That's interesting. Thanks for the information John!

[Fred]

One more question... I've noticed that the main spring on my National Match is a bit lighter. Am I correct in figuring that the coiled mainsprings of Such rifles have had a coil or two removed to ease the lifting of the bolt? Seems I've read that somewhere decades ago.

[John Beard]

One more question... I've noticed that the main spring on my National Match is a bit lighter. Am I correct in figuring that the coiled mainsprings of Such rifles have had a coil or two removed to ease the lifting of the bolt? Seems I've read that somewhere decades ago.

Individual shooters have nefariously replaced the mainsprings in their rifles, usually with stiffer springs to decrease lock time. And I seem to recall on one occasion where some rifles were inspected and found to have shortened mainsprings, but I don't recall the explanation. And I seem to recall where some International Match rifles had trapezoidal mainsprings to increase stiffness and reduce lock time. But tampering with mainsprings, in general, was forbidden.

J.B.

[Fred]

Ya know, I believe what I experience when I lift the bolt handle is the incredible smoothness of the action from the polished surfaces. I interpreted that as a lighter main spring because there was no drag or friction like on my other bolts. I'm not used to this Cadilac of 03's.

[Roadkingtrax]

Springfield Armory was also in business to sell rifles. The black paint was more attractive than dull olive-grey parkerizing.

J.B.

That's a very interesting comment, considering how the paint fills in the numbers...but would certainly "hide" any machining marks and scratches present in the park finish.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/ttraxler/DCMa1/1903a1013.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/ttraxler/media/DCMa1/1903a1013.jpg.html)

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/ttraxler/DCMa1/1903a1004.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/ttraxler/media/DCMa1/1903a1004.jpg.html)

[Dollar Bill]

beautiful rifles, now if I may pry, being that this finish is sensitive to oils and solvents, is there any particular ones to definatley stay way from, which ones would most likely be safe. If I should ever come to own such a rifle it might be good info to have, or even to pass on to someone else that may own a rifle with such finish.

This is just my unlearned speculation but at the time these rifles were made, ammo was corrosive (left corrosive salts from the primers in the bore) so the bore cleaner was water-based. Current bore cleaners made for black powder would be effective and shouldn't damage the finish, as well as Ballistol, my favorite BP cartridge bore cleaner.

P.S. Thanks to all you fine gentlemen for sharing your collections and knowledge. There are many with a great interest in these rifles who will probably never have the opportunity to own one.

[Dracster]

When did they stop applying this asphaltum finish? I have a few M1 Carbines that look to have some sort of varnishy finish on the metal.

[John Beard]

when did they stop applying this asphaltum finish? I have a few m1 carbines that look to have some sort of varnishy finish on the metal.

1940.

J.b.

[Emri]

Here are two photos showing a close up of the color case hardening on the magazine selector switch and also of the proof and rack number stamps behind the trigger guard. I wonder if the 77 or 73 or 33 or 37 stamp, probably a rack number, indicates that this rifle had been held within a rack of other National Match rifles at Camp Perry, Ohio.

Fred,

That is very nice CC on the cutoff. The colors are just incidental to the hardening process, not done for looks. The cocking pieces were done that way also. If I remember correctly the process used cyanide which is probably why it was eventually eliminated.

The number behind the TG is an inspectors mark, not a rack number.

Here are some pics of a cutoff and cocking piece from my 1913 service rifle. The other is the final proof and inspectors mark on a 1918 RIA service rifle.

Nice rifle !! You found a prize. Thanks for sharing.

Emri

[Fred]

Emri, that is a most unusual cocking piece! The color case hardening is fantastic! I've never before seen one like that. I'll bet that it really caught your eye the first time that you saw that rifle. The magazine cutoff is also fantastic and until I saw both it and the one on mine, I'd never before seen one with Color Casehardening. I have seen a Krag safety like that though. I'm going to have to keep looking around for such examples. Thanks for posting those pictures!

Fred

[Promo]

I would have one of those casehardened to share aswell. 413.XXX rifle with 1910 barrel date :)

2407824079

[Fred]

Promo, those are really Neat! I'd pay some serious cash for a color case hardened cocking piece. I've never seen one.

[m1903rifle]

Here's another one on my 1909 rifle.

[Fred]

Wow! Every one of these pictures are GREAT! I wish you fellows would also post Some More photos of your ENTIRE rifles!

[Johnny P]

The cyanide was added to the mixture that the parts were packed in to make the colors more vivid. Lessen or remove the cyanide and it lessened the color. When Winchester's primary rifles were the lever actions you could order one with either a blued or an extra cost color casehardened receiver, and the color casehardened receiver could be had in an "extra finish" in which the colors were even more gaudy.

[Rick the Librarian]

Some of the colors I have seen on Trapdoor Springfields are spectacular.

[Johnny P]

This Trapdoor isn't too bad, but the colors have faded somewhat in the last 130 some odd years. The bottom of the breechblock is still vivid as it was not exposed to the light nor wear

http://i40.tinypic.com/15cm2xy.jpg

[Promo]

A few more pictures of that rifle, as you requested :)

[m1903rifle]

A few more pictures of my 1909 rifle.

[m1903rifle]

More pics of my 1909 Springfield.

[Fred]

A few more pictures of that rifle, as you requested :)

Wow Promo, that rifle looks like it's been in a gun cabinet or a museum for over a century! I wonder where its been? It's absolutely beautiful. Rick is so right about those pre war 03's being put together well. I'm surprised that you chose to gently lay your rifle onto the rocks. I'd be scared to death that It'd mark up the rifle. You're a braver man than I am Gunga Din.

[Fred]

Wow! Just like Promo's rifle, yours looks absolutely Mint! An early one at that with the solid had guard too. The edges on the stocks of your two rifles are absolutely sharp and unworn. Man, the finish on all metal parts is perfect too. it's as if yours and Promo's rifles were taken right off of the assembly line and laid into a velvet lined box and the lid closed up for over a century. They just don't come any better than that! After many years of collecting, I've got only three rifles of my own, although all of WWI era vintage, that are as sharp and fresh looking. When I saw each one, I just had to have it. It was a drive that I couldn't resist. Isn't it grand to be able to hold one and examine it up close and appreciate just how well the quality is on such a rifle?

[Rick the Librarian]

Although (to paraphrase Will Rogers) I haven't met a Springfield (or Rock Island) I didn't like, the pre-WWI M1903s are still my favorites. The workmanship and fit are almost perfect, even on well-worn examples. In my opinion, the closest thing you'll find to a work of art you'll find on a military rifle (although I admit the very early Mausers come close).

Here's my "contribution", a very rare 1915 National Match, which I picked up about four years ago, thinking I'd bought a nice service rifle. #605,178. John says one of about a dozen that are in private hands and in original condition.

http://www.fototime.com/B126ACD803FFDCE/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/17631AB5B5D4733/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/E4D4648C27042E7/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/8F00D7C8C80B838/standard.jpg

[Fred]

Man, If I'd have come across that rifle for sale at a gun show, I'd have been tempted to sell my vehicle right there in the parking lot and take a cab home with the rifle cradled in my arms. It's nothing short of incredible and awe inspiring to look at Rick. Again... Wow!

[Rick the Librarian]

Sometimes I wish we all lived close by - it would be awesome to have a "M1903 display to end M1903 display"!! :)

[Emri]

Sometimes I wish we all lived close by - it would be awesome to have a "M1903 display to end M1903 display"!! :)

Yeahbutt, you live on the wrong side of the planet on this side of the planet !!!

[Rick the Librarian]

LOL!! :D