Air Corps 1903 rifle

[Fred]

Thanks For sharing that information Georg!

[Dick Hosmer]

IIRC, there are four AS rifles at SA, one [J.F.C.], one [W.E.S.], and two either unmarked or the data was not recorded - but there does not seem to be a strong (pun intended) pattern. As to the finish, I'm not qualified to say. As to the stock profile, I'd bet that the tips were hand-shaped against a sanding belt, leading to inevitable small differences.

FWIW, the GB rifle is less than 250 numbers from one of the ones at SA.

Had no idea his reserve is that high - don't think we have to worry about it selling too soon!

[Promo]

Sorry to correct you Dick, but you're not right. There were very clear drawings with exact radius dimensions, how the stock tip should look like. For security reasons only this specific part - see the attachement. And with a total of more than 900 guns, I'm pretty sure they were professionally made and not each one handcrafted.

[Dick Hosmer]

NO problem, whatsoever - you will recall I asked for such candor, right up front. That's how we learn. Thank you very much.

Assuming, since the profile in his photo does not match the drawing (edge too sharp) that it may not be correct, how do we account for the stock not having a sling swivel?

[Promo]

Well, take a M1903 stock, some walnut blanks and a good carpenter .. not that of a hard job, pictures are available, and dimension can be taken from any M1903 straight gripped stock.

[Dick Hosmer]

A possibility to be sure, but quite the gamble, given the target clientele - since that ruse would ultimately fall apart, somehow.

All the more reason to request better pictures of the wood, including all markings.

[John Beard]

NO problem, whatsoever - you will recall I asked for such candor, right up front. That's how we learn. Thank you very much.

Assuming, since the profile in his photo does not match the drawing (edge too sharp) that it may not be correct, how do we account for the stock not having a sling swivel?

The late Mike Kokolus was a master of reproducing Springfield gun stocks. I am aware that he made at least one reproduction Air Service stock and perhaps two more. Certainly he could have made lots more. (And I find no fault with that).

I have good photos of a real Air Service stock in my files. It's clear the Gunbroker rifle stock is a reproduction.

I have a lengthy article that gives the complete history of and describes the Air Service rifles in intricate detail. The article is very scholarly written and draws heavily on documents from the National Archives. The gunbroker rifle does not match the description.

And, finally, I can count on two fingers the number of known authentic Air Service rifles that reside in private collections. And neither one of those two are very original. One has a replacement barreled receiver and the other has a reproduction stock. I can find no evidence that the government ever officially sold or released any.

J.B.

[Dick Hosmer]

John, thank you so much for the above explanation. Wish you'd been more verbose in responses 2,6, or 8. Would have settled the matter - I look upon you as the last word for 1903s.

[Fred]

I do also.

[Rick the Librarian]

I stay away from AS M1903s like I do sniper rifles - too much chance of fakery.

[Fred]

I would personally rather find a really sharp looking pre WWI 03 than an Air Service rifle.

[Rick the Librarian]

I would personally rather find a really sharp looking pre WWI 03 than an Air Service rifle.

+1 !!

[John Beard]

I would personally rather find a really sharp looking pre WWI 03 than an Air Service rifle.

Fred,

Yo' mailbox is full. I have a message for you.

J.B.

[Fred]

Fred,

Yo' mailbox is full. I have a message for you.

J.B.

OK John, I've created more space.

[chuckindenver]

ahhhh.... NOPE..