Low number 1903 Springfield

Alex Johnson · April 26, 2000, 11:00 AM

I've got a relatively low number 1903 Springfield serial number in the 399XXX range from Springfield Armory. The funny thing is it's got a pistol grip stock on it. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been restocked. Come to think of it we've got another 1903 springfield from Rock Island with a 299XXX serial number also with a pistol grip. Most of the early springfields that I've seen have straight grips on them, so what gives with these ones. Somebody told me once that some of the early ones intended for target shooting had the pistol grip stocks. Any ideas?

Harley Nolden · April 26, 2000, 01:42 PM

Alex:
Maybe this, From Book of Rifles, will help you.

U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30 M1903A1:

In december of 1929 the stock design was changed from the straight stock to a pistol grip stock. The fore-end was also modified by removing the finger grooves. The buttplate was checkered to give better support on the shoulder, and the trigger was modified with serrations to prevent slipping of the trigger finger.

HJN

Alex Johnson · April 26, 2000, 04:19 PM

Thanks for the response, it still remains a mystery though. The fore-end still has the grooves the butplate is uncheckered and the rest of the action is still early style. I don't know.

Harley Nolden · April 26, 2000, 06:59 PM

Alex:
There is the possibility that various rifles were stocked with the earlier or later model stock. As the Barreld action remained pretty much the same, the stocks would probably be interchangable.

HJN

**4V50 Gary** · April 27, 2000, 09:57 AM

Arsenal rebuild was not uncommon. It kept idle hands busy and was a viable means of replacing obsolete equipment as it returned for repairs.

April 26, 2000, 11:00 AM	#1
Alex Johnson Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2000 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 812	I've got a relatively low number 1903 Springfield serial number in the 399XXX range from Springfield Armory. The funny thing is it's got a pistol grip stock on it. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been restocked. Come to think of it we've got another 1903 springfield from Rock Island with a 299XXX serial number also with a pistol grip. Most of the early springfields that I've seen have straight grips on them, so what gives with these ones. Somebody told me once that some of the early ones intended for target shooting had the pistol grip stocks. Any ideas?

April 26, 2000, 01:42 PM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Alex: Maybe this, From Book of Rifles, will help you. U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30 M1903A1: In december of 1929 the stock design was changed from the straight stock to a pistol grip stock. The fore-end was also modified by removing the finger grooves. The buttplate was checkered to give better support on the shoulder, and the trigger was modified with serrations to prevent slipping of the trigger finger. HJN

April 26, 2000, 04:19 PM	#3
Alex Johnson Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2000 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 812	Thanks for the response, it still remains a mystery though. The fore-end still has the grooves the butplate is uncheckered and the rest of the action is still early style. I don't know.

April 26, 2000, 06:59 PM	#4
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Alex: There is the possibility that various rifles were stocked with the earlier or later model stock. As the Barreld action remained pretty much the same, the stocks would probably be interchangable. HJN

April 27, 2000, 09:57 AM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Arsenal rebuild was not uncommon. It kept idle hands busy and was a viable means of replacing obsolete equipment as it returned for repairs.