Two new detail photos of my N.M. 1903

[John Beard]

when did they stop applying this asphaltum finish? I have a few m1 carbines that look to have some sort of varnishy finish on the metal.

1940.

J.b.

[Emri]

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.

Fred,

That is very nice CC on the cutoff. The colors are just incidental to the hardening process, not done for looks. The cocking pieces were done that way also. If I remember correctly the process used cyanide which is probably why it was eventually eliminated.

The number behind the TG is an inspectors mark, not a rack number.

Here are some pics of a cutoff and cocking piece from my 1913 service rifle. The other is the final proof and inspectors mark on a 1918 RIA service rifle.

Nice rifle !! You found a prize. Thanks for sharing.

Emri

[Fred]

Emri, that is a most unusual cocking piece! The color case hardening is fantastic! I've never before seen one like that. I'll bet that it really caught your eye the first time that you saw that rifle. The magazine cutoff is also fantastic and until I saw both it and the one on mine, I'd never before seen one with Color Casehardening. I have seen a Krag safety like that though. I'm going to have to keep looking around for such examples. Thanks for posting those pictures!

Fred

[Promo]

I would have one of those casehardened to share aswell. 413.XXX rifle with 1910 barrel date

sa11..jpgsa13..jpg

[Fred]

Promo, those are really Neat! I'd pay some serious cash for a color case hardened cocking piece. I've never seen one.

[m1903rifle]

1909 springfield

Here's another one on my 1909 rifle.

[Fred]

Wow! Every one of these pictures are GREAT! I wish you fellows would also post Some More photos of your ENTIRE rifles!

[Johnny P]

The cyanide was added to the mixture that the parts were packed in to make the colors more vivid. Lessen or remove the cyanide and it lessened the color. When Winchester's primary rifles were the lever actions you could order one with either a blued or an extra cost color casehardened receiver, and the color casehardened receiver could be had in an "extra finish" in which the colors were even more gaudy.

[Rick the Librarian]

Some of the colors I have seen on Trapdoor Springfields are spectacular.

[Johnny P]

This Trapdoor isn't too bad, but the colors have faded somewhat in the last 130 some odd years. The bottom of the breechblock is still vivid as it was not exposed to the light nor wear

[Promo]

A few more pictures of that rifle, as you requested

[m1903rifle]

1909 M1903 Springfield

A few more pictures of my 1909 rifle.

[m1903rifle]

1909 M1903 Springfield

More pics of my 1909 Springfield.

[Fred]

A few more pictures of that rifle, as you requested

Wow Promo, that rifle looks like it's been in a gun cabinet or a museum for over a century! I wonder where its been? It's absolutely beautiful. Rick is so right about those pre war 03's being put together well. I'm surprised that you chose to gently lay your rifle onto the rocks. I'd be scared to death that It'd mark up the rifle. You're a braver man than I am Gunga Din.

[Fred]

Wow! Just like Promo's rifle, yours looks absolutely Mint! An early one at that with the solid had guard too. The edges on the stocks of your two rifles are absolutely sharp and unworn. Man, the finish on all metal parts is perfect too. it's as if yours and Promo's rifles were taken right off of the assembly line and laid into a velvet lined box and the lid closed up for over a century. They just don't come any better than that! After many years of collecting, I've got only three rifles of my own, although all of WWI era vintage, that are as sharp and fresh looking. When I saw each one, I just had to have it. It was a drive that I couldn't resist. Isn't it grand to be able to hold one and examine it up close and appreciate just how well the quality is on such a rifle?