1903 Heavy Barrel

[gasgunner]

I do not post much over here, but thought you all might be interested in this. Found it at the recent Tulsa show. The receiver is a 1919 and as near as we can tell started life as a NM rifle. In talking with those who know a lot more about these than me, we still are not sure exactly how it came to be in the configuration it is. According to what I have been able to find, it is closest to a 1921 IM, but the ser # is to low, and the stock is drilled for the cleaning kit which it is my understanding that the 1921 IM rifles were not. Hope you enjoy the pics. If you have any questions I'll try to answer as best I can, and if you have any additional information that might help pin down exactly what it is I am all ears.

Thanks,
John
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/gasgunner/03%20IM/DSC_0149.jpg (http://s491.photobucket.com/user/gasgunner/media/03%20IM/DSC_0149.jpg.html)
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/gasgunner/03%20IM/DSC_0144.jpg (http://s491.photobucket.com/user/gasgunner/media/03%20IM/DSC_0144.jpg.html)
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/gasgunner/03%20IM/DSC_0142.jpg (http://s491.photobucket.com/user/gasgunner/media/03%20IM/DSC_0142.jpg.html)
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/gasgunner/03%20IM/DSC_0147.jpg (http://s491.photobucket.com/user/gasgunner/media/03%20IM/DSC_0147.jpg.html)
http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/gasgunner/03%20IM/DSC_0140.jpg (http://s491.photobucket.com/user/gasgunner/media/03%20IM/DSC_0140.jpg.html)

[Rick the Librarian]

Beautiful rifle - maybe someone else on this forum will be able to enlighten you further.

[John Beard]

The rifle's receiver is from a 1919 National Match rifle and exhibits its original finish. The stock, however, is from a pre-1915 service rifle and has been cut down and opened up for the heavy barrel. The rifle is a put-together, most likely by a vintage target shooter on a military shooting team.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[CptEnglehorn]

nice build, that is definitely a heavy barrel, must shoot great though.

[Kurt]

I like it!!!!!

[The Wolf]

I like it as well! I've always been fascinated by Style T heavy barrel rifles, but they are rare birds that don't come up for sale much, and even then will cost u an arm and a leg. This rifle would appear to be the best of all worlds, namely a heavy barrel rifle u can shoot, is not an original Style T, and thusly (I presume) didn't cost u an arm and a leg. Get out there go out and shoot that puppy! Of course, after checking for proper head spacing. The heavy barrel will do wonders when it comes to mitigating kick and barrel rise from the 30-06 round. Very nice find!

Best Regards from Virginia,

Chris

[The Wolf]

My message posted twice. I removed the second one. Sorry about that.

[gasgunner]

The rifle's receiver is from a 1919 National Match rifle and exhibits its original finish. The stock, however, is from a pre-1915 service rifle and has been cut down and opened up for the heavy barrel. The rifle is a put-together, most likely by a vintage target shooter on a military shooting team.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

Thanks John. If you do not mind, help me out and tell me what indicates that the stock is from pre-1915? Not questioning the fact, just trying to learn.

Thanks,
John

[Rick the Librarian]

Although John will probably be able to answer in more detail, the stock has only one stock bolt, which definitely dates it to 1917 or earlier. While I would have not wanted to see a 1919 NM "torn up" to make this rifle, it was probably done long ago and you should enjoy it as it is. Again, a very attractive rifle.

[Promo]

Yes, a NM rifle was butchered to build that one, plus a very nice JFC cartouched single bolt stock (and due to the inletting for the thicker barrel unfortunately unrestorable aswell) - nevertheless this one looks really nice and I would be proud to add that one to my collection. I'd put a nice Unertl or Winchester A5 telescope on it and bring it to the range - would definately be great fun to shoot with it!

One additional thing - your pictures are really great! Thanks for showing it! And if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for it?

[oakfarm]

Your rifle could be a 1921 INM, I have seen a few early HB's that were rebuilt/ repaired by later owners. See pg. 108. (Brophy) Look at the front sight.

[gasgunner]

Your rifle could be a 1921 INM, I have seen a few early HB's that were rebuilt/ repaired by later owners. See pg. 108. (Brophy) Look at the front sight.

Thanks for the comments.

As much as I would like to think it is a 1921 IM rifle, I just do not think it is. From the article in Brophy, they all had the Krag rear sight fitted, and removed if not needed and the screw holes filled. This rifle does not have any holes other than the holes for the Unertl blocks. Also, the same article mentions that the 1921 rifles did not have the hole in the buttstock for the cleaning kit, and this rifle does have the holes drilled.

Whatever it is, I will enjoy it. I have been looking for a T or a IM 03 that I could afford for a while, so this one will do. It may have been put together, but I think it was done in the early 20's. It does not look like something someone recently put together, or a reproduction if you will.

Promo, I paid a fair price, but WAY less than any other heavy barrel 03 I have seen.

John

[John Beard]

Thanks John. If you do not mind, help me out and tell me what indicates that the stock is from pre-1915? Not questioning the fact, just trying to learn.

Thanks,
John

I recognize the stock by the single rear reinforcing crossbolt and the "J.F.C." inspection stamp.

If your rifle could talk, you might be astonished at what it could tell you! The rifle exhibits all the characteristics of having been assembled by a local armorer for a commissioned officer on a military shooting team. I acknowledge that it could have been assembled last month around the corner in Bubba's workshop, but I don't think so. Bubba ain't that smart!

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

Although we might mourn what was done to make the rifle, since the "deed was done" I think we can admire what it looks like, none the less.

[Jim in Salt Lake]

The only thing I'm mourning is the fact that rifle isn't in my safe. We have a 1000 yard match in Wendover Saturday and I've got some 180gr Matchkings....

[oakfarm]

Sorry about the last post. What I should have said was , the barrel could be from an early INM rifle:

[Cosine26]

In July 1930 the Type "T" barrel could be purchased through the DCM for $36.50. One could have it targeted for an additional $3.55. A special lower band could be purchased for $1.50.
I believe that the Armory would fit a barrel for somewhere in the neighborhood of $3.00. From the AMERICAN RIFLEMAN magazine July 1930. By 1931 the supply of 28 inch barreled "T's" were gone and the only thing available was the 30 inch barrel. From the July issue of the AR Magazine. I do not know whether the pictured rifle has a true "T" barrel or an after market barrel.
FWIW

[Rick the Librarian]

In the early stages of the Depression, $36.50 was a lot of money.

[Cosine26]

Hi RTL
You are, of course, correct. In 1936 I was ten years old living in the depression era south and I am well aware that $36.50 was a lot of money in 1936, but was far less than the $85.00 plus $1.35 P&H plus shipment for the Style T. Someone had money for the Style T's and the NM's were selling As I remember it, in 1936 there was a "recession".
I am sure that if this is actually a style "T" barrel, there must be some ordnance markings on it. I do not know what commercial bull barrels were selling for or how available they were.
Just a thought.