1920 National Match 1903 Springfield

[louis]

You're a true and honest man. Thank you for the photos. It made my day looking at your place.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

I just realized our rifles are 35 digits a part.

[Fred]

Cool! Please tell me about your rifle. Any photo's?

[PeteDavis]

That rifle is a true high water mark.

In a pinch I'd trust both dogs.

PD

[Smokeeaterpilot]

Cool! Please tell me about your rifle. Any photo's?

It's a 1920 NM but I didn't want to post pictures and take attention away from your post. Seemed tacky on my part.

[Fred]

Oh heck, don't you worry about that! Anybody can post and show anything of theirs on any of my posts. I for one would Really enjoy seeing and hearing about your rifle and anybody elses' rifles! I think that I might've seen yours if you've posted photo's of it before a couple of years back. I believe that yours might've been one of the two or maybe three that are still in original condition that I've seen. Not many of them around for sure. Please post photos of your rifle.

[1563621]

Fred, You are sending out some nice pics, I am sure most on this forum really enjoy them! Thank You for the excellent photos! Dave

[louis]

Extremely nice photos!! Looks like you really don't need a camera your iPhone takes some great photos!!

[Fred]

Hey, Thanks guys!! Yes, iPhone cameras are fantastic inventions for anyone to have a digital camera readily available to use, aren't they! I'm happy that you find the photos interesting!
It's fun for me to see what I can get out of the camera. I've never been into photography before and so I know nothing about it. However I'm having fun now!

Here are FOUR links to Four other 1920 National Match rifles that I know of that have surfaced on the internet within the last few years. One of the links is to another 1920 N.M. 03 that was auctioned off not too long ago and bought by somebody who probably never even knew that they'd obtained a rare 1920 National Match 1903. I think that it sold for $1,150.00 and was just advertised as a 1903 Springfield service rifle. Hopefully, the person that bought that rifle will come across this thread and learn something about what they have if they haven't already found out about it before.
Here are the links to the only other 1920 National Match 1903's that I've been able to find out about. One of them is the rifle that Smokeeaterpilot obtained a few months ago. Wow! It's an excellent rifle! Another such rifle was added to the fantastic 1903 collection of Promo (Georg) over in Europe not long ago.
So, I now know about Five such rifles that are in private hands around the world! Five out of Three Thousand made. There must be others still out there so you guys keep your eyes open for them!

https://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/286242-Just-came-in!-1903-Springfield-1920-National-Match

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=43094

http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...id/54/lid/3699

http://www.cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?ItemId=77766

[louis]

I have a papered NM 1268602. I have a lot of info on the owner including a photo of him. The rifle was unfortunately sporterized but it was in terrific condition. The original stock was cut down, and scope mount holes were drilled on the receiver as well as peep hole rear sight mount holes, but done professionally. The rifle did go back to Springfield and was rebarreled with a 1936 star guage barrel maybe it was done at that time but just a wild guess. I had to replace the original WL3 bolt. It also had a reverse safety and a headless striker, which made sense as the owner was left handed and had a fairly large nose. I could never find a correct stock for it so I have a reproduction finger groove stock on it. I also mounted a correct rear peep sight. And a correct NM rear sight. It's still a beauty of a rifle. The barrel bore is like brand new.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

I know of 2 other 1919-1920 NM rifles currently in private hands now in addition to the ones you already mentioned. I'm sure more will surface in the coming years. Just have to keep an eye out. Look how often we see a NRA Sales rifle pop up now as opposed to 10-15 years ago.

There was another on gunbroker that was sitting for several months but yours was MUCH nicer.

Mine needs some small parts to correct since it was some WWII era replacement parts on it. Mainly the windage knob and elevation slide.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of yours, a true gem.

[Rick the Librarian]

I have 1919 NM #1092290.

IMG_0237.jpg

[Fred]

I have 1919 NM #1092290.

Now THAT is a rare rifle Rick! Does your rifle have a J5 bolt or a J6 bolt? Because mine has a J5, I thought that it might've been a left over from one of the earlier 1919 N.M. rifles that were disassembled after the 1919 Camp Perry National Matches.

[Rick the Librarian]

A j5.

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[Fred]

Thanks Rick!