Low number 1903 Springfield Sporter

[Gil Martin]

Last week, I was in a gun shop and saw a very nice 1903 Springfield sporter with a WWII barrel and serial number 359XXX. It had a Redfield base and rings so I could not tell if it was a high number Rock island or a low number Springfield. It was evident that the rifle had been shot a great deal. We haggled a bit and I got the rifle cheap.

At home, I was able to determine it was a low number 1903 Springfield. What to do. I searched the web and came across volumes of information on low number Springfield rifles. The link below was the best article I have read to date. The total number of low number 1903 Springfield rifles made by Rock Island Arsenal and Springfield Armory was about one million rifles. It is interesting to note that the U.S Army did not recall low number Springfield rifles from active duty troops, but merely issued high number rifles to new recruits. When low number rifles were turned in for repair, they were then taken out of service and scrapped. The Marine Corp continued to use low number Springfields well into WWII when M1 Garand rifles were available and issued to troops.

Armed with this information, I took the rifle to the range and ran a number of reloads through it. The rifle did just fine. Al the best...
Gil


http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

Lots of low numbers are still going strong. Good find!

Adam

[54roundball]

As for me Ive relegated my Rock Island Springfield #92xxx that has a SA 08/44 barrel on it to cast bullet use only. And as so is my best cast bullet shooting rifle. My current favorite load is a Lyman #311291 over 27 grs of IMR 4198 which chronos @1885fps. And generates much less pressure than jacketed bullet loads. But dont get me wrong I agree with you that If it was if it lasted thru 2 wars it should be safe now. This is only my choice. I wont own a gun that has to stay on the wall. This gun and load averages 3 1/2 " 15 shot groups @100 yds using issue sights.

[Larryjk]

I looked at the history of the failures in Hatcher's Notebook and have had all low numbered Springfields re-heat treated. I have used them for 30-06, 270s, etc., but would be hesitant to use them for rounds that operate at 65,000 psi. This is because many reloaders have to push the limit so they can say they have a rifle that shoots faster than yours. (Little boys seeing who can pee farther up the wall).
Have seen serious overloads go through those actions with no sweat; but I wouldn't like to be holding one if it turned loose.
After re-heat treating the actions and bolts are rockwell'd and come up with very favorable readings.
When the head of a brass case pushes into the extractor slot of a bolt, locking the action until you hit the bolt handle hard enough to shear off the piece of brass sticking back into the extractor slot; you can say your rifle has had a load through it that exceeded 70 to 75,000 psi. At these pressure levels the rifle makes a strange sound. If you listen closely you can hear a host of angels singing "Nearer my God to thee".

[jplonghunter]

Picked up a Remington Model 1903 s/n 316xxxx today for less than you would expect to pay with the shortage of milsurps. Some pitting below the stock line,but with a little effort should make a nice hunting rifle.

jplonghunter

[Adam Helmer]

jplonghunter,

It sounds like you picked up a M1903A1 made in the early days of WWII. I think Gil has one, or more, and he will chime in. Rest assured, your rifle is NOT a "Low Number."

Adam

[jplonghunter]

Adam

Sorry for the confusion. I didn't mean that my action was a low number Springfield,I posted at Gil's original comment as I was looking through old posts.
If I understand the s/n sequence this should have been built early 1942 by Remington.

jplonghunter

[Adam Helmer]

jplonghunter,

All is well; I just wanted to assure you that you had a high number. Yes, Remington had an early WWII contract to make 1903s and you have a fine military collectable.

Adam

[Larryjk]

After reading this link again, I will stick with my support of low number Springfield actions "after they are re-heat treated." I know this is little consolation to those using them with the barrels they came with. Many were NRA sale rifles sold a "low number" rifles and buyers used them with no problems. I think what would be significant would be if we had any number of low numbered Springfields coming apart in recent history. I don't believe that is happening. But does that mean no one is shooting them, or they are not doing what some of the blowups were caused by in early times, or the ones still in use have been re-heat treated? Anyhow, it doesn't appear to be a current problem.
I am currently barreling a low numbered 03 Springfield action that has been re-heat treated with a .270 Winchester barrel. I wouldn't do that if I felt there was any reason not to do that.

[Gil Martin]

I have a low number Springfield and will continue to shoot it with modest reloads. Remember, these rifles are over 90 years old and reasonable care is appropriate. All the best...
Gil

[jplonghunter]

I now have a barrel for my 1903 Springfield action. 30-06 2-groove 8-44 flaming bomb RA
for the paltry sum of $100.00. Now have barreled action for less than the national debt. Like I said we must re-think the term bargain!

jplonghunter