M1 Rifle WWII?

combatburt · January 3, 2009, 03:47 PM

Can anyone help me identify this rifle. My dad's dad brought it back from the European Theatre and upgraded it for a hunting rifle. If anyone can tell me anything about it that would be cool.

iamkris · January 3, 2009, 03:53 PM

That's an M1903 (possibly an 03A3 but given the bluing, I'd guess an straight 1903). Definitely not an M1 of any kind (e.g., Garand, Carbine, Thompson or Abrams).

While some would question whether it was actually "upgraded", the fact that it is a family heirloom is meaningful in an of itself...I cherish the very few firearms that I received in inheritance.

It was the mainline rifle of the US Army (along with the M1917) in WWI and served alongside the M1 Garand in WWII. Here's a link to a short article on the original.

http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl07-e.htm

Here's a picture from that same article.

And the telltale "cocking piece" that gives it away

combatburt · January 3, 2009, 04:27 PM

What do you mean by the bluing and whats a straight 1903? Thanks for all the info.

eddyb74 · January 3, 2009, 04:41 PM

Is there a date stamped on the barrel near the muzzle?

combatburt · January 3, 2009, 06:01 PM

Nope no date. Is that common on some versions of this gun?

iamkris · January 3, 2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

What do you mean by the bluing and whats a straight 1903?

Bluing is the blue-black shiny finish found on most guns. Many of the A3 versions of the 1903 are parkerized (not all) -- which gives a gray-green finish that is rough.

By "straight 1903" I mean not the A3 variant. Go do some research to learn more about this rifle.

Quote:

Nope no date. Is that common on some versions of this gun?

Most 1903's I've seen have a "flaming bomb" arsenal stamp with a date. That is the date of the barrel. Yours has either been rebarreled (less likely) or cut off (more likely) or polished off (possible).

kraigwy · January 3, 2009, 10:05 PM

give me the serial number and I'll give you the date it was made.

Dont give the whole serial number, make the last for xxxx

as in 123456xxx

combatburt · January 3, 2009, 10:29 PM

There is only 6 digits for the serial.

Serial:17xxxx

Thanks for all the help.

kraigwy · January 3, 2009, 11:06 PM

That would tell me yours is an early Springfield. Made between 1905 & 1906.

Any Springfield from 800,000 on had the improved heat treatment. Yours didn't. Its the hard reciever that is subject to shatter under high pressures.

I would highly recommend you retire your father's rifle and put it above your mantle.

On ranges I run, if I find a low number serial number I have it removed from the range.

combatburt · January 4, 2009, 12:03 AM

Ok when I take it in to get reblued i'll ask my gunsmith about it.

Thanks.

Swampy1 · January 5, 2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Ok when I take it in to get reblued i'll ask my gunsmith about it.

Your gunsmith's opinion of the rifle is not, rpt. NOT an indicator of the rifles integrity.... Your rifle IS, rpt. IS one of those in a group KNOWN to be suspect for receiver viability. No question about it and no gunsmith inspection can determine whether or not it is or is not one of those that received an improper heat treat.

You and your grandchildren might shoot that rifle for the next hundred years with no problems.... Then again, if it does not have the proper heat treatment, it could come apart with the next trigger pull, sending ragged shards of steel into anyone nearby... most likely the shooter.

Do you really want to take that chance???

The rifle has some family history and sentimental value...... Leave it at that and hang it on the wall permanently.... with the memories it now has. Don't ADD the memory of a maiming or a funeral to the rifles history.

Just my 2 bits,
Swampy

Garands forever

January 3, 2009, 03:47 PM	#1
combatburt Junior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Posts: 6	M1 Rifle WWII? Can anyone help me identify this rifle. My dad's dad brought it back from the European Theatre and upgraded it for a hunting rifle. If anyone can tell me anything about it that would be cool.

January 3, 2009, 03:53 PM	#2
iamkris Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Location: SW Michigan Posts: 296	That's an M1903 (possibly an 03A3 but given the bluing, I'd guess an straight 1903). Definitely not an M1 of any kind (e.g., Garand, Carbine, Thompson or Abrams). While some would question whether it was actually "upgraded", the fact that it is a family heirloom is meaningful in an of itself...I cherish the very few firearms that I received in inheritance. It was the mainline rifle of the US Army (along with the M1917) in WWI and served alongside the M1 Garand in WWII. Here's a link to a short article on the original. http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl07-e.htm Here's a picture from that same article. And the telltale "cocking piece" that gives it away __________________ NRA Life Endowment Member SAF Life Member NRA Certified Rifle Instructor Ultima Ratio Civis - the last method of a citizen

January 3, 2009, 10:05 PM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	give me the serial number and I'll give you the date it was made. Dont give the whole serial number, make the last for xxxx as in 123456xxx __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 3, 2009, 11:06 PM	#9
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	That would tell me yours is an early Springfield. Made between 1905 & 1906. Any Springfield from 800,000 on had the improved heat treatment. Yours didn't. Its the hard reciever that is subject to shatter under high pressures. I would highly recommend you retire your father's rifle and put it above your mantle. On ranges I run, if I find a low number serial number I have it removed from the range. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 3, 2009, 04:27 PM	#3
combatburt Junior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Posts: 6	What do you mean by the bluing and whats a straight 1903? Thanks for all the info.

January 3, 2009, 04:41 PM	#4
eddyb74 Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 222	Is there a date stamped on the barrel near the muzzle?

January 3, 2009, 06:01 PM	#5
combatburt Junior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Posts: 6	Nope no date. Is that common on some versions of this gun?

January 3, 2009, 10:29 PM	#8
combatburt Junior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Posts: 6	There is only 6 digits for the serial. Serial:17xxxx Thanks for all the help.

January 4, 2009, 12:03 AM	#10
combatburt Junior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Posts: 6	Ok when I take it in to get reblued i'll ask my gunsmith about it. Thanks.