M1903 Springfields at my Veterans Club

[Adam Helmer]

Our July 4th parade is this Monday. Last Saturday I inspected a dozen M1903 Springfields at my vets club and was amazed at what I saw. Many years ago the club obtained the 03s and they have been in many parades and salute-firing events since then. The blanks fired were corrosive and the bores were never cleaned as far as I can determine. It was sad to handle nice Rock Islands, Springfields and two Mark 1s that had suffered from rainy day parades and corrosive ammo. Another vets group nearby has some Krag rifles that are nice on the outside and corroded inside. The M1907 leather slings are dry and cracked and not befitting such fine old military arms. Neither group possesses cleaning materials to preserve their arms.

Adam