1903 Springfield Rejected Prototype.

Junkgunfixer · February 7, 2023, 04:23 PM

I have this ultra rare Springfield model 1903? receiver that I picked up at a estate sale years ago. When I first got it I researched the heck out of it and found that it was part of a military contract that was rejected. Consequently most of these were tossed yet a few had leaked out to the public somehow where they were used in what were called Frankenstein guns if I recall that being the term. That's what I remember reading and I'll be darned if I can find that info again! I should have wrote it down but I didn't. Does anyone out here have any idea where I can find the info on this? Look closely, it's not a mark I. There's nothing like it out there that I can find this time around.

Jim Watson · February 7, 2023, 05:37 PM

Interesting but I never saw the like.
It looks like most of the machining is complete except the right side is just flat with none of the standard contouring.

Junkgunfixer · February 7, 2023, 07:13 PM

Seemingly yes. But there's more to this thing than just that, when compared to others. The bolt notch for one and the underside design for another. I had a 1903 stock at one point and it wouldn't drop in correctly also.

Nodak1858 · February 8, 2023, 01:08 PM

Is it forged or cast?

Junkgunfixer · February 8, 2023, 05:23 PM

It looks forged to me.

Nodak1858 · February 8, 2023, 09:06 PM

Wonder if you tried one of those reverse image search deals if it would find anything.

101combatvet · February 9, 2023, 09:15 AM

Have you looked at Brophy's book on the Springfield?

Scorch · February 9, 2023, 04:32 PM

I've seen a few of the Springfield forgings over the years. No one I know of has ever been able to turn one into cash except by selling it as-is to someone else. No one I know has ever been able to get one finished up as a shooter. But who knows? Maybe you'll be the first. Biggest problem with them is they are not finished or heat treated and they have a lot of porosity in them.

Junkgunfixer · February 10, 2023, 08:55 AM

Hadn't looked at Brophy's. I'd have to go to a library or buy it online and it's quite honestly not eating at me that badly. But thanks I appreciate the help here 101combatvet!
Well Scorch I suspect you are mostly correct here. But when I did figure this out a few years back, before forgetting the research, There was apparently some rifles that were made from this particular design that were nicknamed Frankenstein guns if I recall correctly. Apparently they were a mixed match of several different makes and models. Who why when where is all I'm trying to figure out I guess.

Nodak1858 · February 11, 2023, 04:02 PM

Is it threaded for a barrel, or the trigger guard screws?

**4V50 Gary** · February 14, 2023, 10:37 PM

See what Bruce Campbell The Smokeless Era has to say. Finally, consult the National Park Service at Springfield Armory National Historic Monument.

Mk VII · February 25, 2023, 04:09 PM

Is it one of the semi-finished M1901 receivers that were sold to Bannerman and stored by him for many years? I don't see the 'hump' on the charger bridge and the cutoff spindle housing extends beyond the thumb-cut. All Model 1901 features.

February 8, 2023, 01:08 PM	#4
Nodak1858 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: N. Dakota Posts: 425	Is it forged or cast? __________________ We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

February 8, 2023, 09:06 PM	#6
Nodak1858 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: N. Dakota Posts: 425	Wonder if you tried one of those reverse image search deals if it would find anything. __________________ We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

February 9, 2023, 09:15 AM	#7
101combatvet Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Posts: 635	Have you looked at Brophy's book on the Springfield? __________________ Special Operations Combat Veteran Gunsmith, BS, MFA - I can outsmart you! Competitive Shooter - and out shoot you! NRA Certified Firearms Instructor [9 Courses]

February 9, 2023, 04:32 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,215	I've seen a few of the Springfield forgings over the years. No one I know of has ever been able to turn one into cash except by selling it as-is to someone else. No one I know has ever been able to get one finished up as a shooter. But who knows? Maybe you'll be the first. Biggest problem with them is they are not finished or heat treated and they have a lot of porosity in them. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 11, 2023, 04:02 PM	#10
Nodak1858 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: N. Dakota Posts: 425	Is it threaded for a barrel, or the trigger guard screws? __________________ We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

February 7, 2023, 05:37 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,128	Interesting but I never saw the like. It looks like most of the machining is complete except the right side is just flat with none of the standard contouring.

February 7, 2023, 07:13 PM	#3
Junkgunfixer Junior Member Join Date: February 7, 2023 Posts: 4	Seemingly yes. But there's more to this thing than just that, when compared to others. The bolt notch for one and the underside design for another. I had a 1903 stock at one point and it wouldn't drop in correctly also.

February 8, 2023, 05:23 PM	#5
Junkgunfixer Junior Member Join Date: February 7, 2023 Posts: 4	It looks forged to me.

February 10, 2023, 08:55 AM	#9
Junkgunfixer Junior Member Join Date: February 7, 2023 Posts: 4	Hadn't looked at Brophy's. I'd have to go to a library or buy it online and it's quite honestly not eating at me that badly. But thanks I appreciate the help here 101combatvet! Well Scorch I suspect you are mostly correct here. But when I did figure this out a few years back, before forgetting the research, There was apparently some rifles that were made from this particular design that were nicknamed Frankenstein guns if I recall correctly. Apparently they were a mixed match of several different makes and models. Who why when where is all I'm trying to figure out I guess.

February 14, 2023, 10:37 PM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,680	See what Bruce Campbell The Smokeless Era has to say. Finally, consult the National Park Service at Springfield Armory National Historic Monument. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 25, 2023, 04:09 PM	#12
Mk VII Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2000 Location: England Posts: 455	Is it one of the semi-finished M1901 receivers that were sold to Bannerman and stored by him for many years? I don't see the 'hump' on the charger bridge and the cutoff spindle housing extends beyond the thumb-cut. All Model 1901 features.

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