M1903 Springfield Update- Mistakes Made!
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- Опубліковано 26 жов 2024
- This is a follow up video; I love this gun but it is not all original or 'as issued'. Please watch this video if you are in the market for one of these beauties. I learned a lot after I bought this. The barrel and receiver are original and date to 1918, but it looks like this gun got a make over for World War II , which is still pretty cool! I don't have any regrets about what I payed for it, but my enthusiasm from my first video is a little less now. Please comment and add your expertise to this topic!
As soon as you see parkerization, you know it's a rebuild. They all are . It's a beauty, enjoy it.
Thank you! I agree. There is some notion of what cosmoline can do to a look over time, but the green parkerization is pretty obvious
Very hard to find one that has not been reworked at the arsenal, still an original 03, enjoy, nice rifle.
A lot of M1903s were refurbished during WWII for reissue to American units after 1941 till they got M1 Garands. Majority of M1903s were given to the French and Brazilian prior to the Italian campaign in 1943. One regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division that landed after the Normandy invasion I think it was the 23rd was only armed with M1903s because the Regimental Commander loved it until enough M1s were being issued to that regiment. Many rifles were refurbished during the war and issued not to infantry units but rear troops. Still effective when trained properly on it.
Thanks for the info! That is very cool
I do believe to find a fully original 1903 its near impossible, most of them have been rebarreled or modefied to serve in ww2, you came really close though, still a nice piece
Thanks for your comment!
Ditto on this comment. Most "Allied"/US weapons from WW1 and WW2 are impossible to find in their as-issued condition. And US weapons shouldn't be as hard to find in this condition as they are, given that almost none of the parts have SNs on them...
Hello Hunter ya its Very hard to find an all correct 1903. Gotta keep looking though THANKS for showing.
Thanks for the support! I am still super excited about the purchase- but the journey continues!
as said by many others already - rebuilds of these was a common practice, so don’t be discouraged. Very Nice gun! Enjoy it. thank you
Thanks, it is a great shooter. I have come to the conclusion that all guns are made to shoot, even if they are collectible.
I agree, I am a shooter too who prefers use as well as the history. Many opportunities out there for restoration if you are willing to study. Thanks and keep it up friend!
It also has like it has the later 03A3 stacking swivel. Easily replaced as is the bolt if you are so inclined. It is a beautiful 03 none the less!
Thanks for the additional information! The journey continues.....
Hey man, we all make mistakes. It’s incredibly tough to find one in all-original configuration. I just broke down and bought one with a wwii barrel and R bolt. It’ll be a shooter, and a nice reference piece for the collection. Joe Poyer has a good book on the 1903, with a detailed description of each period correct part. That’s a great place to start
Thanks for the support. I am very happy with the gun even thought there were some additions. Congrats on your purchase!
The same holds true for M1's. Most saw heavy use and had new barrels installed in the 50s. And if they went through the CMP. Unless you paid extra for a numbers matching gun. Your going to get a mix.
Agree 100%
I can top all other mistakes regarding the 1903. Back in the mid 80’s (whenever they released them from reserve storage). I remember working at a flea market. It was a little shady (eventually shut down) but one day a guy had a van full of them for $70. But I was in high school and that was more money than I had. I should have borrowed it from the till and paid it back that night.
That is amazing that the price was so low! Thanks for sharing 😀
I saw a few at the Tulsa gun show and was tempted on a couple, but I will need to do way more research as I know jack about 1903's. Pretty sure the decent priced ones were reactivated drill rifles and I definitely didn't wanna pay 800-some bucks for one of those.
thanks for sharing!
That’s a really fine looking ‘03. Mine is in perfect condition as well. That’s clue #1 that it wasn’t totally WWI. It has an 813,XXX serial number (1918 receiver) but an SA 7-42 barrel and a very clean “C” stock (pistol grip). So I assume it was most likely refurbed for WWII. But I’ve always want one to have AND to shoot so I’m very happy with it. Even with my 68 year old eyes this rifle out shoots most of my other milsurps….including the Swiss 7.5mm K-31 & 8mm Mauser.
That is great you are having fun shooting such a historic gun. Keep at it!
That gray-green color is a dead giveaway it was parkerized in WWII. Cosmoline can dry into a brownish lacquer. Don't see it much on US weapons.
My Rock Island M1903 has definitely been refinished at least twice. 1918 rifle with 1929 barrel. Other than the barrel, the rest seems to be correct for a 1918 RI. But, not all original
Possibly worth asking some questions before purchasing. Just a thought.
For me and for so many people the seller may not have all the information or withhold. I think the burden is on the buyer to know as much as they should (I did not). The reason we made the video is to help educate potential buyers which seemed like the best way to make the experience positive.
Enjoy it! A majority of these rifles were arsenal refurbished between WW1 and WW2.
Great review!
Thanks, do you collect milsurps too?