I might have found a pretty nice one

[Pete Davis]

Steve

That's pretty impressive.

Pete Davis

[John Beard]

Thanks Merc and John. Last question for John - are these replacements likely field (unit armorer or "direct support" as it was known in my day) or are they indicative of arsenal rebuild (given the lack of any rebuild stamp)? I'm particularly curious about that because I was a Small Arms Repairman, direct support level when I was in the Army.

John - just a reminder, you helped me out a LOT back when I first joined Jouster and started collecting US Martial Arms more seriously. That's been nearly 20 years ago. I have appreciated your input and knowledge, not to mention your willingness to share, immensely through the years!

Steve

I see no significant evidence indicating that the rifle was arsenal-overhauled. I foresee two reasonable explanations for the replacement parts. (1) The company armorer replaced the parts at the request of and as a favor to whom the rifle was issued. (2) The rifle was stripped and cleaned as part of a large batch of rifles, then re-assembled from mixed parts.

And you're very welcome for the assistance in the past! I'm glad I could help.

J.B.

[John Beard]

Is there any chance that the handguard on this rifle started out as a flat top, and had the clearance groove added? Did this ever get done?

PD

A document from the Chief of Army Ordnance found in the National Archives dated 10 August 1909 ordered Springfield Armory to implement a sight-line clearance groove in the handguard. SteveC's rifle was assembled during the tooling and transition period and could have been correctly fitted with either handguard.

And to answer your question, old parts were updated to the latest designs when the rifles came through for arsenal overhaul. But SteveC's rifle shows no sign of overhaul.

J.B.

[SteveC]

Reckon' that's enough cosmoline Willy?

M1903 cosmo 1.jpgM1903 cosmo2.jpg

Started taking this one apart for a thorough cleaning and darn! Ol' Willy loaded her up with cosmoline! On the plus side, this just means I'll have more days to clean her up a little bit at a time...

[SteveC]

1903 cleaning kit.jpg

I've almost finished cleaning the rifle up and remembered I didn't share that the (empty and missing oil cap) cleaning kit was still in the buttstock.

[J.J.]

I can't tell from the pictures if the hand guard has reinforcing clips or not, but if there is an s stamped to the rear of the sight line cut and just to the left of the windage knob cut that would indicate that it was shortened from the 1905 pattern and was indeed originally a flat top hand guard.
J.J.

[SteveC]

I checked last night, no "S" stamped in the handguard. Thanks for your input J.J.!

Steve