Unknown Springfield 1903

dbuffington · June 22, 2015, 07:58 PM

Hi Folks!

I'm getting a shot at this 1903 in a few days ...

Alas, all I have right now is this photo, which doesn't tell you much.

But does it tell you anything that helps identify it?

Thanks!
Dave

James K · June 22, 2015, 10:23 PM

I have a picture of a Ford car; what kind is it and what is it worth?

That is about the situation here. With just one overall photo with little detail, it is impossible to know exactly what you have. It does appear to have been owned by a target shooter (the peep sight was put on in "civilian life" and decreases the value) and has what might be a "C" stock (or might be a copy of same).

Even the serial number would help, at least to know if the rifle is a "low number" and a potential problem.

Jim

dbuffington · June 23, 2015, 06:54 AM

Oh, I know … I'm a Browning shotgun guy, and I get those kinds of unanswerable questions a lot. Alas, that's all I've got until Thursday, and then, I'll only have a few minutes to make a decision.

Thanks!
Dave

mapsjanhere · June 23, 2015, 07:47 AM

All a question of price. At $300 for a sporterized 03 it's a good gun, assuming it's not a below 800,000 serial number Springfield. At $2,000 for an experimental gun during the development of the sniper model it's not

Jim Watson · June 23, 2015, 07:51 AM

If you plan to shoot it, it should have a serial number above 800,000 if a Springfield Armory, above 286,506 if a Rock Island Armory. If a Remington, all are OK. One look will tell you that.

With Lyman sights and a Type C pistol grip stock, it looks like somebody's target rifle of a bygone era. Probably a fine shooter, if the barrel is not shot out.

Dollar value is less than if it were still in service rifle configuration.

June 22, 2015, 07:58 PM	#1
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Unknown Springfield 1903 Hi Folks! I'm getting a shot at this 1903 in a few days ... Alas, all I have right now is this photo, which doesn't tell you much. But does it tell you anything that helps identify it? Thanks! Dave

June 23, 2015, 07:47 AM	#4
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	All a question of price. At $300 for a sporterized 03 it's a good gun, assuming it's not a below 800,000 serial number Springfield. At $2,000 for an experimental gun during the development of the sniper model it's not __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

June 22, 2015, 10:23 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I have a picture of a Ford car; what kind is it and what is it worth? That is about the situation here. With just one overall photo with little detail, it is impossible to know exactly what you have. It does appear to have been owned by a target shooter (the peep sight was put on in "civilian life" and decreases the value) and has what might be a "C" stock (or might be a copy of same). Even the serial number would help, at least to know if the rifle is a "low number" and a potential problem. Jim

June 23, 2015, 06:54 AM	#3
dbuffington Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Posts: 157	Oh, I know … I'm a Browning shotgun guy, and I get those kinds of unanswerable questions a lot. Alas, that's all I've got until Thursday, and then, I'll only have a few minutes to make a decision. Thanks! Dave

June 23, 2015, 07:51 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	If you plan to shoot it, it should have a serial number above 800,000 if a Springfield Armory, above 286,506 if a Rock Island Armory. If a Remington, all are OK. One look will tell you that. With Lyman sights and a Type C pistol grip stock, it looks like somebody's target rifle of a bygone era. Probably a fine shooter, if the barrel is not shot out. Dollar value is less than if it were still in service rifle configuration.