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Excellent WWII U.S. Marine Corps Springfield Model 1903 Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Excellent WWII U.S. Marine Corps Springfield Model 1903 Rifle
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Estimate: $1600 - 2500
Model 1903 rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1934. The rifle has the distinctive Springfield pre-WWI, black-green, parkerized finish and is fitted with an oil finished, black walnut Springfield Armory "S" stock. and late production handguard. This rifle appears to be one of the Army Model 1903 rifles provided to the Marine Corps during 1941 and has all the distinctive features found on WWII Marine Model 1903 rifles. The Marines received excess Model 1903 rifles from the Army in 1941-1942. The Marines restocked and re-barreled these rifles as required and issued them to the new formed 1st and 2nd Divisions. Many of these Model 1903 rifles were used by the Marines in the battles in the South Pacific during 1942. This rifle has a replacement Sedgley barrel marked: "USMC" above the date "9-41" and an encircled "S" behind the rear sight. The barrel has the wrench-marks behind the rear sight base that are typically found on Sedgley barrels installed on Marine Model 1903 rifles. The receiver is roll-stamped "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903." in four lines above the serial number "1487755". A punch-mark is stamped in front of the serial number and on the raised portion of the receiver below the serial number. The receiver has an additional gas port ("Hatcher Hole") on the left side of the receiver. The gas port was typically added by the Marine Corps to Model 1903 rifles during the late 1930s and early 1940s and the punch marks in front of the serial number are typically found on USMC M1903 rifles. The rifle has a replacement Springfield Armory bolt with "B2" steel lot code on the bolt handle. The bolt body is lightly etched with the rifle serial number "1487755"; serial numbered bolts are typically found on Marine rifles. The stock is fitted with a smooth steel buttplate that has been stamped with numerous punch-marks to improve grip; the punch-marked buttplates are typical of WWII USMC rifles. The Springfield Armory "S" stock has no final inspection or proof marks; Springfield Armory manufactured replacement "S" stocks for the Marines in 1941. The Marines did not stamp inspection or proof marks on their rifles and many Marine Model 1903 rifles have un-marked stocks. The rear sight is an early WWII replacement with bright face and no 2750 volley notch. The sight has been fitted with the distinctive Marine special drift slide with special large (1/10 ") peep. The front sight has the Marine undercut .125 inch blade and the scarce Marine front sight cover.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30-06
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: 1487755
Condition: Excellent plus. The rifle retains 98% of the original black green parkerized finish. The lower barrel band retains nearly all of the original blue finish. The face of the cut-off is bright. The barrel and receiver markings are crisp. The oil-finished stock and handguard are in excellent plus condition. The edges of the grasping grooves are sharp and there is minimal handling wear. The bore is mirror bright. This is an excellent example of a post-WWI production Springfield Model1903 rifle with early Marine Corps Sedgley barrel and all of the distinctive features that are characteristic of WWII issue Marine Model1903 rifles.