US Springfield 1903 National Match Rifle?

SWDM11 · September 21, 2012, 01:06 PM

Hey guys, a friend of my family is parting with her recently deceased husbands collectables. I have a chance to acquire a Springfield 1903 SN-1342993. I believe it is a national match rifle. The bolt has the serial number etched into it, its polished, and the raceways also. It is also stamped N.S. were the handle meets the carrier. The barrel from bolt face to muzzle is 24" and it has a roll mark behind the front sight "S A flaming bomb 3-39." I found the star gauged mark on the muzzle @ 6 o'clock. The stock is what gave me a cure ball. It has a SA SPG over under cartouches on the left side and a P cartouche on the pistol grip. It is also S marked in the cutoff recess. Between the pistol grip and the rear sling mount it is stamped D1836. This makes me question the originality of the piece, from what I understand the receivers serial number should be in place of D1836. She's asking $2500 based on some research her son did. If anyone can give me some insight on this rifle, it would be greatly appreciated!

kraigwy · September 21, 2012, 04:36 PM

I think thats rather steep.

But I'd advise going to the CMP Forums, the bolt action section and ask your questions.

Those boys know all there is to know about Springfields.

http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=79

RC20 · September 21, 2012, 10:12 PM

The 3-29 would be the barrel date. That puts it at 1939.

I would have to look but it seems that its a stretch on the serial number to match up with the barrel.

On the other hand a star gauge mark on the barrel at that date I don't think is right either.

Interesting.

Will look in my books and see what I come up with but as stated, the CMP group will have all those details in their heads.

RC20 · September 21, 2012, 11:08 PM

My data shows that the Jan 39 to Jan 40 receivers were 1,500,000 numbers.

It does not mean that you might not find a lower receiver on a higher barrel as I am not sure the NM setup. The assemly and dealing with those were a world of their own I gather.

710 NM were made n 1939.

Will leave the rest to the CMP group.

RC20 · September 22, 2012, 09:29 AM

Possibly reconditioned. 3,234 had that done to them in 1939.

Chris_B · September 22, 2012, 09:38 AM

If I recall, nobody's 100% sure what the "S" stamp means, but that's at the end of the buttstock, by the bayo lug band

Is there an 'S' there as well?

SWDM11 · September 22, 2012, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the info guys, i can check Tuesday if there is an S present.

darkgael · September 24, 2012, 04:42 AM

You may have already found better info about the stamps "S" and "P". Brophy's classic study "The Springfield 1903 Rifles" lists the two stamps as inspection stamps. There is info about the S stamp on page 574. All that can be said about it is that it appears only on stocks made at Springfield Armory.
The P cartouche is an inspection stamp. Some were in a circle, some in a square. Found just behind the trigger group.
National Match barrels were star gauged. This is indicated by a stamp at six o'clock on the crown of the barrel. The mark looks like "a six legged turtle". You found that.
The D1836 resembles the type of stamp that accompanies a star gauge, but it is usually on the barrel.
Pete

MJ1 · September 26, 2012, 06:39 PM

Try to include a photo of the whole rifle and the sights and other bits like on the SC I made pictures of for a friend who is going to list his rifle. NS? I thought this was for Nickel Steel but I am often wrong..LOL

30Cal · September 26, 2012, 08:03 PM

NS is nickel steel.

My dad's NM. Was bought at the 1932 matches at Camp Perry and fired in the matches there in 2007 (75 years later--better late than never).

sgms · September 26, 2012, 08:28 PM

Serial number indicates manufacture in 1930 with barrel date of march 1939 the SA is Springfield Armory the SPG is probably Samuel P Green an inspector
SPG
at springfield around that time. The D1836 if on the stock near the butt may be a rack number.

RC20 · September 27, 2012, 07:13 PM

Its been confimred as authentic on the CMP forum

More or less worth something int he $1500 to 2500 value.

Collector would pay higher, shooter lower and at an auction it would depend on who was interested in it.

September 21, 2012, 04:36 PM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I think thats rather steep. But I'd advise going to the CMP Forums, the bolt action section and ask your questions. Those boys know all there is to know about Springfields. http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=79 __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

September 24, 2012, 04:42 AM	#8
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Stamps You may have already found better info about the stamps "S" and "P". Brophy's classic study "The Springfield 1903 Rifles" lists the two stamps as inspection stamps. There is info about the S stamp on page 574. All that can be said about it is that it appears only on stocks made at Springfield Armory. The P cartouche is an inspection stamp. Some were in a circle, some in a square. Found just behind the trigger group. National Match barrels were star gauged. This is indicated by a stamp at six o'clock on the crown of the barrel. The mark looks like "a six legged turtle". You found that. The D1836 resembles the type of stamp that accompanies a star gauge, but it is usually on the barrel. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member Last edited by darkgael; September 24, 2012 at 05:03 AM.

September 26, 2012, 06:39 PM	#9
MJ1 Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2008 Posts: 329	;) Photos please. Try to include a photo of the whole rifle and the sights and other bits like on the SC I made pictures of for a friend who is going to list his rifle. NS? I thought this was for Nickel Steel but I am often wrong..LOL __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" --Unknown Soldier-- Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid. - David Hackworth -

September 21, 2012, 10:12 PM	#3
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	The 3-29 would be the barrel date. That puts it at 1939. I would have to look but it seems that its a stretch on the serial number to match up with the barrel. On the other hand a star gauge mark on the barrel at that date I don't think is right either. Interesting. Will look in my books and see what I come up with but as stated, the CMP group will have all those details in their heads.

September 21, 2012, 11:08 PM	#4
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	My data shows that the Jan 39 to Jan 40 receivers were 1,500,000 numbers. It does not mean that you might not find a lower receiver on a higher barrel as I am not sure the NM setup. The assemly and dealing with those were a world of their own I gather. 710 NM were made n 1939. Will leave the rest to the CMP group.

September 22, 2012, 09:29 AM	#5
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Possibly reconditioned. 3,234 had that done to them in 1939.

September 22, 2012, 09:38 AM	#6
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	If I recall, nobody's 100% sure what the "S" stamp means, but that's at the end of the buttstock, by the bayo lug band Is there an 'S' there as well?

September 22, 2012, 06:24 PM	#7
SWDM11 Junior Member Join Date: July 19, 2012 Location: CT Posts: 10	Thanks for the info guys, i can check Tuesday if there is an S present.

September 26, 2012, 08:03 PM	#10
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	NS is nickel steel. My dad's NM. Was bought at the 1932 matches at Camp Perry and fired in the matches there in 2007 (75 years later--better late than never).

September 26, 2012, 08:28 PM	#11
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	Serial number indicates manufacture in 1930 with barrel date of march 1939 the SA is Springfield Armory the SPG is probably Samuel P Green an inspector SPG at springfield around that time. The D1836 if on the stock near the butt may be a rack number.

September 27, 2012, 07:13 PM	#12
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Its been confimred as authentic on the CMP forum More or less worth something int he $1500 to 2500 value. Collector would pay higher, shooter lower and at an auction it would depend on who was interested in it.