1866

U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Rifle with Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Case

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Rifle with Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Case
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Rifle with Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Case

This is an example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rifle that was manufactured in 1915 and subsequently fitted (unknown as to when) with a Model 1913 Warner & Swasey 5.2 X telescopic sight. The rifle has a case-hardened receiver and military blue barrel, barrel bands, rear sight base, bolt, trigger guard and floor plate. The rifle has a checkered buttplate, straight bolt handle, grooved trigger, folding leaf rear sight with bright finished face and 2750 yard center notch, small dished elevation screw and large dished windage screw. The black, oil-finished, walnut "S" stock has grasping grooves and a single reinforcing bolt. The handguard has the rear sight clearance cut and spring clips that were introduced c. 1910. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped with the standard Springfield Armory markings and the serial number "513679". The top of the barrel behind the rear sight base is roll-stamped: "SA", above the Ordnance 'Shell & Flame' insignia and is dated "8-15". The magazine cut-off lever has a polished "ON" side and is marked with Roman (serif) letters. The safety lever has the later Gothic letter markings without serifs. The left side of the stock is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark that consist of the block initials "J.F.C." with a rectangular border. An encircled, block, "P" proof mark is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. A small "S" is stamped on the tip of the forearm. The telescopic sight has a black enamel finish and a black rubber eyepiece. The left side of the sight body is stamped with the factory legend, "MODEL OF 1913" and "No. 4198". Brass plates stamped with windage ad drift corrections are screwed to the top of the telescopic sight body and the eyepiece. The sight base has the distinctive windage and elevation knobs Model 1913 Warner & Swasey sights were individually fitted to selected, star-gauged, Model 1903 rifles and were stamped with the rifle serial number in the mount dove-tail. The inside of the sight dovetail on this rifle is not stamped with a rifle serial number. The sight bracket is attached to the left side of the receiver by three screws. The screws are staked on the inside of the receiver. The upper edge of the stock is inletted to accept the sight bracket. The sight is accompanied by a WWI case for a Warner & Swasey sight; the case has been dyed black. The back of the case is stamped with the maker's name "DIAMOND "D"" and the inspection mark "A.B.D.". The case is missing the leather shoulder strap. The Army fitted 3014 Warner & Swasey Model 1913 telescopic sights to Model 1903 rifles between 1916 and 1918. A significant number of Model 1913 telescopic sights purchased by the Ordnance Department during WWI were not serial numbered and were probably never fitted to Model 1903 rifles.

Manufucture: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1903
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 30-06 Springfield
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 513679

Good as refinished and assembled. The rifle retains traces of the original blue and parkerized finish; the balance of the finish has aged to a smooth, dark, patina. There is evidence of a receiver sight having been removed and holes plugged. Most of the bright finish is present on the rear sight leaf and the "ON" side of the cut-off. The barrel and receiver markings are clear. The reoiled stock is in very good condition with sharp edges on the grasping grooves, and clear final inspection and proof marks. The telescopic sight is in very good condition and retains about 70% of the black enamel finish. The optics are cloudy. The case is in good overall condition.