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Excellent Scarce Springfield Model 1903 .22 Gallery Practice Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:3,750.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Excellent Scarce Springfield Model 1903 .22 Gallery Practice Rifle
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Excellent Scarce Springfield Model 1903 .22 Gallery Practice Rifle

This excellent, original Model 1903, .22 Gallery Practice rifle (Hoffer-Thompson) was manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1915. The M1903 Gallery Practice rifle was a standard configuration rifle with a .22 caliber barrel issued for instructional target practice on indoor ranges. Total production between 1906 and 1921 was 15, 525 rifles. The Gallery Practice rifle utilized a unique "cartridge holder" shaped like a .30-06 cartridge; each cartridge holder was loaded with a .22 short cartridge. The cartridge holders allowed Gallery Practice rifles to be loaded with stripper clips to simulate-loading and rapid fire on indoor ranges. Gallery Practice rifles were typically manufactured with some obsolete or rejected M1903 components; these components were usually stamped "22". This rifle has "22" stamped on: (1) the receiver bridge behind the clip slot, (2) the tip of the stock forend and (3) the bottom of the bayonet lug. The left side of the stock wrist is correctly stamped with the final inspection mark "J.S.A." in a rectangle. The underside of the stock is correctly not stamped with the encircled "P" proofmark found on .30 M1903 rifles. The barrel is stamped with "SA", the Ordnance 'Shell & Flame' insignia and the date "4-15" below the rear sight. The receiver is roll-stamped with the standard M1903 nomenclature above the serial number "586837". All of the markings on the receiver, barrel, magazine cut-off and safety utilize the Gothic letters without serifs. The trigger guard finial is stamped with the commercial sales mark that consists of the Ordnance 'Shell & Flame' insignia over the letters "N.R.A.". The rifle has a blued barrel, upper and lower barrel band, bolt, magazine cut-off, trigger guard and floor plate. The receiver has the dark, casehardened finish utilized on M1903 rifles through 1917. The stock and handguard are oil-finished black walnut. The rifle has the fine checkered buttplate and serrated trigger adopted in 1910. The rear sight is the standard pattern with bright face, 2,750 yard center notch, small concave elevation screw and larger concave windage screw. The 'Type S' stock is the second pattern adopted around 1909 but lacks the single reinforcing bolt found on second pattern stocks. The 'high hump' handguard has the post 1909 sight groove and spring clips. The rifle is complete with one .22 cartridge holder, a M1907 russet leather sling and commercial P.J. O'Hare rear sight protector and muzzle cover. Most of the .22 Gallery Practice rifles were destroyed following WWI. Surviving examples are scarce.

Manufucture: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1903
BBL: 24 Inch
Stock: walnut
Guage: 22 S
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 586837

Excellent. The rifle appears to be all original and retains more than 95% of the blue and casehardened finish. Most of the finish wear is concentrated on the polished blue trigger guard and floor plate which show some thinning from contact with the sling and a few minor scratches. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition; the edges of the grasping grooves are sharp and the final inspection mark is crisp. Wear is limited to a few minor storage marks. This is an excellent example of a scarce Springfield M1903 .22 Gallery Practice rifle.