WTK: SRS Search- 1903 NATIONAL MATCH SPORTER

[danco101]

I just acquired a sporterized 1903 that has some National match features, Heavy barrel with star gauge mark on front at 6'0 clock, serial number is 1408424 It has a ramp front sight installed over the barrel markings so I cant tell the year, barrel is heavy weight with no rear sight spleen, full 24" length, the type on NRA sporters, Marked "A 289" on bottom with barrel index line on left side. REVERSE safety and straight cocking piece on bolt, bolt is polished so if it had a number on it its been polished off. This has express type rear sights as well as a lyman 48 on the back of the receiver as well as a Griffin & Howe mounted scope, Stock has 2 recoil bolts and has a rubber pad on back, inside stock Marked "M4084" , pistol grip that has been checkered, Looks to be in the NM range, too bad its had so many modifications! any help is appreciated, will try to up load a photo.

[Tom Trevor]

Yes it is listed.

[cplnorton]

1408424SPT 091332DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

Congrats man!

[danco101]

Thanks for the quick answer! , Any way of finding it's history?
best regards, Dan

[Herschel]

Springfield Research Service can provide you with the name and city of residence of the person who purchased it through the DCM in 1932.
What you get from SRS is a letter giving original purchaser's information and a copy of the sales record card. Cost is $35 for an annual subscription of the U. S. Martial Arms Collector magazine and an additional $65.00 for the sales letter.

If you take the bolt out of the rifle and rotate it 90 degrees you will probably find the serial number engraved.

Congratulations on the find. The SPT in the SRS information means it was sold as an NRA Sporter. It is a better item than a NM 1903.

[danco101]

Thanks for that info. the only numbers on the bolt are "D1" on the forward side of the rear bolt lug. I had already mentioned that there were no numbers on the bolt.
best regards, Dan

[Rick the Librarian]

The bolt is a pre-WWI case-hardened bolt from Rock Island Arsenal. Later bolts sometimes were felt to "stick" and an earlier case-hardened one would be substituted.

[relics6165]

danco 101:

From the photos you posted, your NRA Sporter appears to (potentially) be a Griffin and Howe depression era Sporter.

If both original stock crossbolts are there, if there is one plugged hole (sometimes it is hard to see) by the rear sling swivel, then you have the original Sporter stock that has been reshaped. This was commonly done by G&H, and other well known custom firms during that era.

Sometimes the SRS letter will show the purchaser, and it will state "delivered to Griffin and Howe". In this case, it would be well worth your time to get one.

The front sight certainly looks like a G&H.

A few more side photos may help decide.

HTH

Oh, is your bolt polished, blued, or parked?