Indicators of original finish?

[clintonhater]

Nice looking rifle, punch mark in the center of bomb indicates the rifle was overhauled. Or at least reinspected.

Overhauled, yes, but re-inspected, maybe not--even if that was the correct protocol. My 11-22 with a "SA-SPG" re-inspection stamp (original insp. DAL) does not show this punch mark. Seems to be (I hope!) one of the "lucky" ones that went back through SA without being messed with.

[clintonhater]

It appears a large block of Model 1903 rifles in the 1.21 million serial number range were set aside for NRA/DCM Sales rifles. Yours could have remained in this block, but never sold and removed as WWII approached.

Could 1,251,146 be within this "sales" grouping? It's the same one I referred to above lacking the punch mark.

[Scott Wilson]

When I bought this rifle out of a pawn shop over 15 years ago, it was in an 03A3 stock. The current stock I picked up later. I believe the patch at the bolt handle was to cover the cut for a Lyman sight but who knows.
DAL.jpg P.jpg safety.jpg

[Johnny P]

The rifle shows no signs of overhaul that I can see. The punch mark in the flaming bomb is not consistent. I have one 1903 NM that is totally original, and another that was a U.S. Coast Guard team rifle that was returned to Springfield for total overhaul. The totally original rifle has the punch mark, and the totally rebuild rifle does not.

Stock has the correct DAL acceptance mark on the stock for that time period. You lucked out on the stock.

[Johnny P]

Could 1,251,146 be within this "sales" grouping? It's the same one I referred to above lacking the punch mark.

No luck on that number. The range of DCM shipped rifles in the 1.2 million range are from 1200051 to 1298438 with most being in the 1.21 range. They were a mix of service rifles, NM's, and Sporters. Most NM's and service rifles had their stocks changed to the A1 type stock. For something like $1.50 you could have the service stock changed to the A1 type when it became available. The service rifles that had their stocks changed to the A1 stock had the acceptance mark, but no P proof mark, as the rifle was just changed from one stock to another.

[clintonhater]

The punch mark in the flaming bomb is not consistent. I have one 1903 NM that is totally original, and another that was a U.S. Coast Guard team rifle that was returned to Springfield for total overhaul. The totally original rifle has the punch mark, and the totally rebuild rifle does not.

Valuable info, as some sources are dogmatic about this point. No matter how stringent the rules are, there's always room for human error.

[Scott Wilson]

Gentlemen, thanks for all of the observations, I learned some important points.

[John Beard]

Please oblige us with a picture of the receiver ring showing the serial number.

Thanks! And Merry Christmas!

J.B.

[Scott Wilson]

Here you are.

SN.jpg

[John Beard]

I appears reasonably certain that you have one of those. Thanks for obliging us!

Merry Christmas!

J.B.

[Scott Wilson]

What is "One of those?"

[J.J.]

Looks like USMC front sight cover. These can go for $50-$80 when you can find them.
J.J.