Hello all! New here and wanted to share my 1903 NRA sporter. Have ?'s on it.

[flatdarkelf]

Hello all,
I wanted to show you all my newly acquired NRA 1903 sporter. The serial number is: 1294971. It dates to 06-28. The bolt is serialized to the receiver and is polished. Barrel is star gauged. The M1922 stock has been reprofiled and customized. Here is where I have some questions. The stock work has details and characteristics of a Sedgley job. Swivels and a Model 70 butt plate. I can't confirm who did the work. Does this appear to be a Sedgley stock? The front sight appears to be a Lyman and has been added. I welcome your thoughts and information. Thank you.

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[JimF]

Can you provide an EXTREME close up of the front edge of the receiver ring?

I'm looking for the small bevel that exists on a legitimate sporter (as made at Springfield). --Jim

[flatdarkelf]

Sure. Above the stock line or below?

[flatdarkelf]

31292Here are two more photos

Jim- Standby. I will get the photo you requested.

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[flatdarkelf]

Jim,
Here are the photos you requested. I hope they are what you need. If not, just let me know and I will take more.
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Edit: I apologize for some of the photos. I don't know why they are displayed upside down.

[SMOKEY]

Welcome aboard

[flatdarkelf]

Thanks Smokey

[Jeff L]

Nice looking rifle. Welcome.

[chuckindenver]

on my list....

[Herschel]

There is no doubt is is an NRA Sporter as it is on the list. The stock was designed to allow for the kind of modification shown on your rifle. Many good gunsmiths did those modifications back in the day. I see nothing that connects it with Sedgley. It is a beautiful rifle.

[Rick Harris]

We call that NASA maintenance, " if it aint broke, fix it till it is " !:icon_confused:

[flatdarkelf]

Thank you for the kind words and the information fellas. Really appreciate it. The stock work is indeed beautiful. The only reason Sedgley popped into my head was the use of the swivels and the M70 butt plate but I do know the custom addition of a M70 butt plate was a very popular thing to do. So, you're right. Could be from any competent gunsmith of the era. Where can I obtain a list of the NM/NRA sporter serial numbers? It would be nice to have a print out and keep with my rifle. Thank you again. I look forward to many more posts!

[Herschel]

At one time Springfield Research Service sold lists of serial numbers of U. S. Martial Arms that had been sold through the DCM. The lists are no longer available in either book or compact disc form. Subscribers to the U. S. Martial Arms Collector Magazine can purchase a letter and copy of a DCM sales record from SRS. A subscription costs $35.00 per year and a letter showing the name and the town of residence of the purchaser costs an additional $65.00. A high percentage, but not all, of the serial numbers of the NRA Sporters are on the SRS lists. Since your NRA Sporter serial number is on the list you would be able to get the letter and copy of the card. To me the value of the documentation is worth the cost and I have obtained letters on all my NRA Sporters.

[Fred]

Herschel, did you ever get together with or call Hensel about his Sporters?

[Herschel]

No. I can't recall the circumstances but don't recall contacting him.

[Fred]

He's the guy in Kansas City who was selling his two Springfield Sporters that I had a picture of hanging on the wall of his gun room. Just wondering.

[DanLH]

Is there a checkered triangle behind the tang on the top of the stock? If there is, it sure looks like a Sedgley job to me. They would remodel a sporter stock for customers and didn't always put their name on the barrel. The front sight looks like Sedgley, they used Pacific and not Lyman but they weren't marked with any name.
Dan

[flatdarkelf]

Dan,
There is no checkered triangle near the tang area of the stock.