Two new detail photos of my N.M. 1903

[Fred]

Here are two photos showing a close up of the color case hardening on the magazine selector switch and also of the proof and rack number stamps behind the trigger guard. I wonder if the 77 or 73 or 33 or 37 stamp, probably a rack number, indicates that this rifle had been held within a rack of other National Match rifles at Camp Perry, Ohio. If so, then the rifle might very well have been and probably was sold to a competitor there for the going rate of such a rifle, which was 40 something odd dollars. Big money almost a Century ago.

[Fred]

Did all National Match 03's have color case hardened magazine cut offs?

[John Beard]

Did all National Match 03's have color case hardened magazine cut offs?

Color casehardening on magazine cutoffs was not exclusive to NM rifles. The finish on NM rifle parts generally followed the same schedule as service rifle parts. At some point, the finish on cutoffs changed to bluing. But, I'd have to go digging in some files to establish the date. I wouild guess that it's somewhere in the 1920's.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

p.s.,

You might be interested to learn that the magazine cutoffs for the 1919 NM rifles were furnished by Rock Island Arsenal and had serifed lettering in addition to a color casehardened finish.

[Rick the Librarian]

Here's a picture of the cutoff on my Springfield 1919 NM and it has the serif lettering on the cutoff as John says.

[Fred]

That's pretty neat. So your rifle is certainly correct. I saw a 1920 national match being sold that mentioned serifs on the cutoff. Maybe it was replaced or maybe Springfield was using up left over cutoffs from the 1919 run? Although it still showed some color case hardening, they didn't mention it. I'll try to find it. Here's the link below.

http://www.icollector.com/Scarce-Springfield-Model-1903-1920-National-Match-Pattern-Rifle_i11407816

[Rick the Librarian]

Not to hijack the thread, but here are a few pictures of my Springfield 1919 National Match, 1,092,290. You can see from the pictures it is not a pristine example - the stock (at least around the grasping grooves) has been sanded somewhat. A 12-18 barrel and a WJS inspection stamp. A J5 "bent" bolt.

The one question mark on this rifle is the finish on the receiver. I wondered if it was that "special" finish, like Fred's but John said he didn't think so. Almost looks like varnish. I toyed with he idea of trying to remove it, but decided that doing nothing to it might be better than trying to do something that might boomerang on me.

[Fred]

Heck No, you're not hijacking anything! Any and all input regarding the subject is open to anybody. I only offered my rifle's cutoff as an example of the subject of finishes on the National Match rifles. Rick, I wonder if your rifle could have the coating that was mentioned in that listing of the rifle I just put up that mentioned a black paint on the rear sight base. I've never herd of that before. Could that be the Asphaultum that John mentioned as being originally painted on the barrels around the front (maybe to protect the metal from sweaty hands)? I either read somewhere or was told by John that it was also Sometimes put on floor plates and trigger guards. Could it also have been put on receivers and rear sight bases? Hmmm... Chuck in Denver mentioned in a post about another National Match rifle that'd come out of the woods about the rear sight leafs on some National Match rifles having a tar like stuff put on the face.

[Rick the Librarian]

I seem to recall that John said it wasn't, but may be worth another look. If you look carefully, it almost appears there was a drop of solvent of some kind applied to the receiver.

I had to give up one of my (non-Red Star) Remington M1903s and some cash to get it a few years ago. At some point, I need to take some better pictures of it. The guy I got it from was using it as a shooter.

[Fred]

Your receiver looks like it has oil quenched blackening to me Rick, just as it should. I wonder what the description was all about in that link I posted that mentioned a black substance being painted on the rear sight base?

[Rick the Librarian]

I'll see if I can post a better picture of the receiver. It definitely has a "shiny" look that didn't come through in the pictures above.

A really crummy picture distorted by the flash, but it does show the "shine" somewhat better, as well as the "spot" in the middle.

[m1903rifle]

Rick,
Leave that "black stuff" alone. It's original and applied by Springfield. I have owned both 1920NM and 1921NM rifles, and both of them had the black finish. I also have a friend who owns a 1919NM with the black finish. I'm not sure when the practice started or stopped, but it was definitely applied in 1919, 1920, and 1921. The rifles are parkerized UNDER the black finish.

[Fred]

I'm learning something with every posted input on this subject! Thanks guys! John told me that the Asphaultum can be removed, accidentally or otherwise, by the use of petroleum products or cleaners. Like oils or solvents. Be careful!

[Rick the Librarian]

As I said, the idea of removing passed a long time ago. Maybe John will give us his option and in the meantime, I'll see if I can take a better picture. I learned a long time ago that, with rifles, it is better to do nothing than do something and later find out that you should have done nothing!

[Fred]

Yes, John! I'd like to hear anything that Chuck or Anyone would have to share about all of this too.

[joem]

I tried oil blackening on a couple of BP kit guns. It has quite a shine to it and seems to hold up well.