Just comparing the two 03's in photo's

[Fred]

Here are photos of my two 1903's together for some interesting comparison's with each other. Just for the heck of it.

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[WHG]

Is one of the rear sights installed backwards? Both of my 1903 rifles (one made in 1918, the other 1935) have the adjusting knob at the front of the sight.

[1mark]

Nope both sights are install properly. Just different designs.

[Fred]

[Fred]

[clintonhater]

Nope both sights are install properly. Just different designs.

In one of his many magazine articles, Whelen said he thought the M1901 sight was the superior battle sight, but that the "target shooters" in Ordnance insisted on a peep--and then placed it too far forward to be effective!

In the film "Sergeant York" (I think it was that one), there's a close-up of a detachment of marching Doughboys, and the M1901 sights on their Springfields are very obvious. Makes me wonder if the War Dept. (which at the time cooperated very closely with Hollywood) gave them to the studio to avoid the cost of converting them to the M1905.

[RCK]

Fred, thanks for showing those great rifles.

[Fred]

It's my pleasure!

[Rick the Librarian]

In the film "Sergeant York" (I think it was that one), there's a close-up of a detachment of marching Doughboys, and the M1901 sights on their Springfields are very obvious. Makes me wonder if the War Dept. (which at the time cooperated very closely with Hollywood) gave them to the studio to avoid the cost of converting them to the M1905.

The rifles in the film were Bannerman 1903s made of 1903, M1917 and Krag parts. The sights were probably M1902 Krag sights.

[Allen Humphrey]

Thanks for showing those Fred. If you ever get the opportunity to accurately weigh the rod bayonet rifle, I'd love to hear the result. The earliest versions of the model incorporated so many weight reducing features that we subsequently deleted by the time Remington finished wit the 1903. It seems like there would be a substantial weight difference between a Rod Bayonet rifle compared to a late Rem 1903 and its long bayonet and scabbard.

[Fred]

OK, I'll go weigh it now on the digital bathroom scales...


Model 1903 made in 1918...9.7 (with oiler and 1907 sling)

Model 1903 Rod Bayonet made in 1903...9.5 (with oiler full of oil and 1903 sling)

Model 1896 Krag made in 1896...9.5 (with oiler and three rods and 1903 sling)

Model 1868 Springfield made in 1868...9.8 (with 1887 sling)

[Richard H Brown Jr]

The one in the front looks like a really low SN. Pre-War original to 1903-1908 or so. Any exact date range avail. from you experts?


RHB