Phase out date for the M1903

[blackhawknj]

Does anyone know when the M1903 was finally withdrawn from service ?

[Merc]

It was withdrawn from service in 1974.

[Rick the Librarian]

Depends if you mean "active" military service or use in drill teams, etc. As I recall, the M1903 (not M1903A3 or A4) were declared obsolete in late 1945. M1903A1-based sniper rifles were used well into the Korean War; M1903A4s early Vietnam days.

[Greg]

I saw an A4 issued around 1984 -85. The organization had a requirement for a sniper rifle (contractor guard force), the ordered a rifle, and two of those showed up. I believe they were fitted with M84 scopes. Everybody thought that was strange.

[chuckindenver]

i know of some still in inventory here at a local base, listed as for training use SOS. along with alot of other weapons..from Trapdoors to MG 42s..
yes, i have seen them with my own eyes, are they used for that?? doubtful, i know the C.O. of the area personally, he knows they will be destroyed as soon as he retires the post

[firstflabn]

The M1903 and M1903A1 were reclassified as obsolete by OCM 31671, dated 24 July 47.

Member 45B20 on another forum posted the following from another OD source, though he didn't have the exact date:

According to “Obsolete Major Items” ORD 12 SNL OGS-1 dated Sept 47 and correct to 07 Aug 47: the Rifle M1903 and Rifle M1903A1 were made obsolete by Ordnance Committee Minute # 31671. This would place the M1903 official obsolete declaration between May and Aug of 1947. This War Dept. Supply Catalog outlines their disposition was to “be mutilated in accordance with SB 9-58 and transferred to the salvage officer for disposition as scrap”.

DCM and the deteriorating world situation spared many of these.