Early M1903

[robh5]

Cool early M1903.
https://morphyauctions.hibid.com/lot/23996675/-c--museum-unaltered-springfield-1905-06--30-03--/?q=1903+springfield&sort=2&ref=catalog

Hope the link works.

[pickax]

Wow, Pristine and less than estimated minimum bid.

[m1903rifle]

Any of our members the buyer of either? One was listed as having a 24" barrel instead of the proper 24.206" barrel.

[Rick the Librarian]

Supposedly, M1903/05s in 30-03 are more rare than Rod Bayonet rifles.

[IditarodJoe]

Rick - what are your thoughts on that screaming blue extractor and the bright red stock? Just the way the photo came out, or do you think that could be what they originally looked like?

[Rick the Librarian]

I don't know ...no markings on the stock. Wonder if it was a put-together?

[IditarodJoe]

Above and beyond the abysmal writing skills of the person who prepared the description, there are a number of things that raise flags for me about the rifle. I can't afford toys like that, but if I could I'd certainly want a lot more documentation supporting its provenance than a secondhand lawyers letter simply listing it as an item sold by the P&W in 1992 (although it was supposedly still in the company's museum in 1994). Just sayin' . . . :icon_rolleyes:

[louis]

I swear the older you guys get the less you read and understand (please this is a joke lets not get cranky). Read the description carefully guys. Besides that I thought I'd add this tidbit, this was BEFORE P&W (Pratt and Whitney no longer had interest in the company after it was sold)was sold to Mr. Rentschler who needed a tool shop to develop his new radial engine (approx. 1925). After the sale of the company they only developed their famous line of radial engines before being party to United Technologies. Obviously there is a whole bunch more history to the company and the reason why they kept the name as is. So after reading the description carefully yes I'd say it's an original.

[chuckindenver]

id like to see the left side of the sight ladder...nice rifle.. 17K?? dayum

[Emri]

I don't know ...no markings on the stock. Wonder if it was a put-together?

The stock is a "field replacement". Has been sub-inspected ( number behind TG ), but has no final inspector or proof "P". I have a 1908 rifle with a similar stock.

[Emri]

Rick - what are your thoughts on that screaming blue extractor and the bright red stock? Just the way the photo came out, or do you think that could be what they originally looked like?

The early stocks did have a definite red color to them. The earlier extractors were nitre blued ( just like the Krags ) but I don't remember the time span for that finish with reference to the auction rifles SN/date. May be a replacement.