Just came in! 1903 Springfield 1920 National Match

[Smokeeaterpilot]

Hey Guys,
Just got this gem via FedEx.

It's a 1903 Springfield 1920 National Match.

Everything about it is gorgeous. I love it, thought I'd share.
Never thought one would be affordable. I see crazy prices on them. But like the old saying never trade luck for skill!

Has a few small problems but nothing major. I think the sight hood is a later replacement. It has an R mark on it so I think it's a later Remington hood.
Still had the cleaning kit in the buttstock.

Naturally, I took the sling off the rifle, heard horror stories about leather on metal over a long period of time.
I can't really claim much credit one "spotting" one. Without some help from some good friends I wouldn't be able to tell if it was real or fake. Thankfully I'm very fortunate to have some good friends help me out.

I'd like to throw out for humor purposes. It was pretty obvious I was excited and had no patience, once I got the FedEx tracking notification just before 8AM and it didn't arrive until almost 8PM I was sitting by my front window all day, like a dog waiting for the mailman. Everytime I thought I heard a diesel engine I ran to look out the window.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

more pictures...

[StockDoc]

Oh, that is so sweet, when did they go to the "C" stock on the NM

[Smokeeaterpilot]

StockDoc, that's a good question I have no idea. I'm sure someone on here will. But I love learning about these rifles. Always something new to learn.

[cplnorton]

Off the top of my head, I was thinking it was changed to a C stock in 1928. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[Rick the Librarian]

Off the top of my head, I was thinking it was changed to a C stock in 1928. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Pretty close, IIRC.

[mhb]

1929...

and the NM rifles of that year and later were identified as NM1929 style.

mhb - Mike

[Fred]

The rear sight components might have been replaced.
Does anyone have a time line when the use of concave (high hump) hand guards stopped on National Match 03's? That hand guard looks nice. Super nice rifle! I like your cut off case hardening colors. How's your bore?
I think that the receiver on my rifle is 33 numbers lower than yours with a barrel date of 11-19.
Great find! Congratulations!!!

[m1903rifle]

and the NM rifles of that year and later were identified as NM1929 style.

mhb - Mike

They were identified as M1903A1NM

[StockDoc]

They were identified as M1903A1NM

So, the 1929 NM were id'd as M1903A1NM and had the C stock, correct?

What was the designation of the OP's Rifle? Springfield 1903 1920 NM?

BTW Smokeeater, I would think any moisture getting into the leather and mixing with the tanning would attack metal. That stuff is pretty caustic.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

So, the 1929 NM were id'd as M1903A1NM and had the C stock, correct?

What was the designation of the OP's Rifle? Springfield 1903 1920 NM?

BTW Smokeeater, I would think any moisture getting into the leather and mixing with the tanning would attack metal. That stuff is pretty caustic.

Yup I immediately took off the leather. It came with a sling I just left it on for a few pictures and promptly removed it. It needs some TLC anyways, dry and cracked.

[Fred]

Why don't you put some PECARD Antique Leather Dressing on it? I use it on my old slings and it really brings them back to life!
By the way, where did you find that treasure?

[Hecklerusp45]

Thanks for sharing the pics. That is a very nice rifle. Congrats on the find. You have a real treasure there. As a friend of mine always says, if it could talk it would have some real stories to share.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

Thanks for sharing the pics. That is a very nice rifle. Congrats on the find. You have a real treasure there. As a friend of mine always says, if it could talk it would have some real stories to share.

Yeah hoping to get story behind these pieces and pass them onto my kids, hoping to instill a love of history when they're older. My luck they'll wind up products of the CNN media saying they should be melted down into paper weights. Just kidding, I'm trying to be opptomistic that won't happen.

But thanks everyone for your kind words. She needs a few small parts but I want to try and do everything I can to get her to be 100%.

[Fred]

Here're three photo's of the rear sight and rear hand guard areas to show you what mine look like. The rear sight leaf on yours wasn't used after the start of 1919 because Springfield had halted the cutting of the Volley sight notch at the top of the ladder. The knobs should be dished out. Your sight slide has been replaced too. I don't know about the use of Concave or High Hump hand guards, but I bet that John Beard would know the answer. I do know that the other two I've seen in Minty condition like yours and mine have hand guards like mine.
The correct type parts for your rifle are easily available though and when mounted, your rifle will be 100% correct then. It's a Wonderful rifle as there aren't many that seem to have survived intact. I've seen three others in the same condition and yours and mine is one of them. You've got a Fantastic 1920 National Match 03!