Correct looking 1903 Mark I

[Fred]

This morning while browsing through Gun Broker, I noticed this early 1903 Mark I Springfield that from the very few photo's displayed appears to be correct in that it appears to have the correct stock, hand guard (High hump for the serial number range), cut off, cut off spindle, trigger, rear sight knobs. I can't see if the rear sight leaf has the top notch on the top. For the serial number range, I think that it should. I suppose the seller would provide more photo's upon request if asked.
Anyway, with all of the talk now and then from guys looking for Mark I's and asking if their Mark I's are correct, I just wanted to point this rifle out so that maybe somebody could see it for themselves. I'm Not associated with this rifle. If I were, It'd have a lot more photo's showing everything in detail.
The Buy It Now price certainly is decent if the rifle IS an original Mark I in it's original configuration.


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=442058085

[Rick the Librarian]

Somebody definitely knows what they want to get for this rifle, don't they?? :D

[Chaz]

And he has described it very well along with providing excellent photo details...all it's missing is an afghan. :icon_lol:

[Dan Shapiro]

No! No! No!

NOT THE AFGHAN!

[John Beard]

And he has described it very well along with providing excellent photo details...all it's missing is an afghan. :icon_lol:

Go wash yo' mouth out!

J.B.

[pmclaine]

Pull through looks humped :).

[Rick the Librarian]

Well, I'd hate to disappoint anyone. Not a Mark I, but ... :D

http://www.fototime.com/6DA3C4FC64B9382/standard.jpg

[Kurt]

Not sure which is more painful, welding arc eye burn or this! :)

[John Beard]

And he has described it very well along with providing excellent photo details...all it's missing is an afghan. :icon_lol:

Now look what you did. You should be ashamed of yourself!

J.B.

[John Beard]

Hey Fred,

See if you can pick out what's wrong with it.

J.B.

[Fred]

Hi John. OK, let me go look...


Well it's a late 1918 rifle with a swept back bolt. I think that it should be a straight bolt, but that's not a problem for a guy with the right bolt, preferably a J5 straight handle. Also, I detect that the bottom of the ejector cut in the stock isn't even, It seems to be dipping down lower a little in the middle and off set a bit. That shouldn't be. Holly cow... was this an early high wood stock that had the stock bolts installed later and that was trimmed down and notched in the left side?

[John Beard]

Congratulations!

I cannot conclusively identify the stock, except to state that it does not appear to be a Mark I stock. I concur with your assessment that it appears to be an earlier stock, perhaps pre-1910.

J.B.

[stripper clip]

John,

Based on what you and Fred have discussed, would the stock have been modified by one of the arsenals at some point in time? I just wonder about this because we know the government, unlike us collectors, did not care one bit if a pre 1910 stock be kept correct or otherwise modified to fit a rifle.

[John Beard]

John,

Based on what you and Fred have discussed, would the stock have been modified by one of the arsenals at some point in time? I just wonder about this because we know the government, unlike us collectors, did not care one bit if a pre 1910 stock be kept correct or otherwise modified to fit a rifle.

One can only speculate who modified the stock. I have seen non-Mark I stocks that had been modified with a Mark I notch and a government origin for the notch was quite convincing. Indeed, I believe the subject stock was probably modified by a government arsenal or a company armorer.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

I examined a Mark I some years ago. The stock was also a modified non-Mark I stock. It had a legitimate GRG stamp from pre-WWI.

Here are some pictures:

http://www.fototime.com/59A7ABB0CF1D386/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/1A2C3CF4E88D7CC/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/1ACE3FC605D317C/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/D74CB81EA6B31AC/standard.jpg