1903 Springfield

egbert · January 10, 2024, 11:53 AM

I have 03 Springfield serial # 7xx. It looks very good condition. How would I get this evaluated as to collector value? I've never seen a 3 digit serial number before.

jcj54 · January 10, 2024, 04:39 PM

Post detailed pictures of the barrel markings, the markings on the stock, a good picture of the tight side of the action and someone can evaluate it. Most gun shops are clueless about early 1903s.

Jim Watson · January 10, 2024, 06:28 PM

That will be interesting.
A first run 1903 would have been in .30-03 caliber with rod bayonet and Krag type sight.

President Teddy Roosevelt thought the rod bayonet was flimsy and required it be changed to a conventional knife bayonet in 1905. Sights were updated, too.

Then in 1906 we adopted the spitzer bullet we saw the French and Germans using. This called for a new .30-06 chamber and new sight graduations.

So lucky number 777 might be one of the few unaltered rod bayonet rifles.

It might have been brought up to 1905 standard. Not many of these failed to get the 1906 upgrade and they are very scarce.

It might have been brought up to 1906 standard with or without the 1905 work.
That is the likeliest configuration, work done 1907-1910.

An unaltered 1903 or a 1905 version would be an extreme rarity, worth a lot of money. I don't know how much of a premium the low number would bring if it were a 1906 update.

hooligan1 · January 11, 2024, 10:39 AM

Get in touch with Chuck Moline at Warpath Vintage in Denver Co.

ernie8 · January 11, 2024, 12:12 PM

Photos would be nice . I have a 1905 in 30/03 with the blade bayonet . It has a mint bore and is one of my favorite shooters.

**44 AMP** · January 11, 2024, 02:10 PM

Quote:

President Teddy Roosevelt thought the rod bayonet was flimsy and required it be changed to a conventional knife bayonet in 1905.

I don't know if its true, or not, but I've always enjoyed the story about how TR proved his point about the rod bayonet. According to the story when shown the rod bayonet he disapproved, but was met with some resistance from the officers showing him, who thought the rod bayonet was plenty good enough.

Roosevelt then borrowed a rifle with a blade bayonet and engaged in sparring with an opponent with the rod bayonet, and cut the rod bayonet off his opponent's rifle. Case closed.

highpower3006 · January 12, 2024, 10:18 AM

That's a pretty early receiver. I have a orphan receiver in the 43,000 range and a complete rifle made in early 1906. The '06 rifle was been rebuilt after WWI, and still has it's original high wood stock and a 1-19 dated Avis barrel.

I would hazard a guess that the OP's rifle likely has been rebuilt at least once and if it has, it is going to be worth roughly what any other rebuilt '03 in similar condition would be worth. But if it is still original as manufactured, it is going to be worth a pretty penny.

ernie8 · January 16, 2024, 04:59 PM

I guess he gave up as there are no more comments or photos .

darkgael · January 22, 2024, 04:34 PM

Are these early, low numbered 03s and 06s subject the same cautions that have been issued for years regarding improper heat treating on some of them?

jcj54 · January 23, 2024, 07:02 AM

Springfield built rifles under SN 800000 and Rock Island built rifles under
285507 are considered to be prone to failure due to improper heat treat.
Many individuals operate under the theory that if one has not failed by
now it should be safe to shoot. Proceed at your own risk. I don't shoot mine,
and won't stand near one being fired.

January 10, 2024, 11:53 AM	#1
egbert Junior Member Join Date: January 9, 2024 Posts: 1	1903 Springfield I have 03 Springfield serial # 7xx. It looks very good condition. How would I get this evaluated as to collector value? I've never seen a 3 digit serial number before.

January 11, 2024, 10:39 AM	#4
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,586	Get in touch with Chuck Moline at Warpath Vintage in Denver Co. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

January 22, 2024, 04:34 PM	#9
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Are these early, low numbered 03s and 06s subject the same cautions that have been issued for years regarding improper heat treating on some of them? __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

January 23, 2024, 07:02 AM	#10
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 219	Early 1903 rifles Springfield built rifles under SN 800000 and Rock Island built rifles under 285507 are considered to be prone to failure due to improper heat treat. Many individuals operate under the theory that if one has not failed by now it should be safe to shoot. Proceed at your own risk. I don't shoot mine, and won't stand near one being fired.

January 10, 2024, 04:39 PM	#2
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 219	Post detailed pictures of the barrel markings, the markings on the stock, a good picture of the tight side of the action and someone can evaluate it. Most gun shops are clueless about early 1903s.

January 10, 2024, 06:28 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	That will be interesting. A first run 1903 would have been in .30-03 caliber with rod bayonet and Krag type sight. President Teddy Roosevelt thought the rod bayonet was flimsy and required it be changed to a conventional knife bayonet in 1905. Sights were updated, too. Then in 1906 we adopted the spitzer bullet we saw the French and Germans using. This called for a new .30-06 chamber and new sight graduations. So lucky number 777 might be one of the few unaltered rod bayonet rifles. It might have been brought up to 1905 standard. Not many of these failed to get the 1906 upgrade and they are very scarce. It might have been brought up to 1906 standard with or without the 1905 work. That is the likeliest configuration, work done 1907-1910. An unaltered 1903 or a 1905 version would be an extreme rarity, worth a lot of money. I don't know how much of a premium the low number would bring if it were a 1906 update.

January 11, 2024, 12:12 PM	#5
ernie8 Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2018 Posts: 217	Photos would be nice . I have a 1905 in 30/03 with the blade bayonet . It has a mint bore and is one of my favorite shooters.

January 12, 2024, 10:18 AM	#7
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,220	That's a pretty early receiver. I have a orphan receiver in the 43,000 range and a complete rifle made in early 1906. The '06 rifle was been rebuilt after WWI, and still has it's original high wood stock and a 1-19 dated Avis barrel. I would hazard a guess that the OP's rifle likely has been rebuilt at least once and if it has, it is going to be worth roughly what any other rebuilt '03 in similar condition would be worth. But if it is still original as manufactured, it is going to be worth a pretty penny.

January 16, 2024, 04:59 PM	#8
ernie8 Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2018 Posts: 217	I guess he gave up as there are no more comments or photos .