Author Topic: Springfield 03 w/serial number overstamp?  (Read 3516 times)

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Offline sss

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Springfield 03 w/serial number overstamp?
« on: March 03, 2017, 06:16:37 PM »
Hey Guys, anyone seen an '03 with a serial number like this?










Offline running-man

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Re: Springfield 03 w/serial number overstamp?
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2017, 06:33:01 PM »
900k is smack dab in the 1918 range so based on the barrel stamp, it would seem that the S/N is 915,273 or 916,273 and not 9,115,273/9,116,273.

I'd suspect that the 1 got stamped by mistake and then when they noticed it and had to correct it, the 5 or 6 would barely fit where it needed to go. Just a guess though.  dntknw1

      

Offline sss

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Re: Springfield 03 w/serial number overstamp?
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2017, 07:17:42 PM »
Thanks RM.  My fear was that it was one of those with bad receivers (can't remember the serial range of those) and some jackass tried to hide with a stamp over.  Not that it would really fool anyone.  Hey, if really a factory restamp that should make it somewhat more valuable yes?  dance2

Offline Phosphorus32

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Re: Springfield 03 w/serial number overstamp?
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2017, 08:02:58 PM »
I agree, 915273 seems likely, 9 million is simply out of the question. I wouldn't say an arsenal mis-stamp adds any collector value, certainly not to me.  The barrel date is consistent with it being original to the receiver. It appears to have a lightly sanded and refinished replacement Rock Island Arsenal "scant" stock (less than a full pistol grip).

The scant stocks were made during early US involvement in WWII for 03-A3 production, but 03-A3 stocks were suitable for use on M1903s as well. Left over stock blanks from the M1903 standard straight wrist stocks were used to make the new milspec standard pistol grip stocks but the existing stock blanks were not tall enough to make a full pistol grip, hence the "scant" term.

The problematic receiver heat treatment SN cutoff is 800,000 for Springfield Armory M1903 receivers (the cutoff is probably lower but that's the certain number).  A very well defined number of 286,506 is the cutoff for Rock Island Arsenal receivers. Therefore, your example is definitely in the no concerns about shooting range of serial numbers*. If it has decent rifling left, it ought to be a nice shooter  thumb1

* I am not a lawyer or legal representative of the former Springfield Armory US federal government arsenal, so my opinion is meaningless, should not be taken as a recommendation, and you should shoot this 99 year old rifle at your own risk.  chuckles1

Offline sss

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Re: Springfield 03 w/serial number overstamp?
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2017, 01:07:59 PM »
Thanks Phos.  It does have good rifling and is in fact a good shooter.  I'm not normally a big bolt action fan though being a southpaw. This being a piece of history though makes it an exception.  You just have to wonder at the stories these things could tell if they could talk.  I know there are a lot of '03A3s out there.  Anyone have any idea at how many of this vintage might still be around?   

Offline Phosphorus32

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Re: Springfield 03 w/serial number overstamp?
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2017, 07:36:13 PM »
Model 1903 (totals include: 101-145K Mark 1 rifles; and 03-A1, identical to Model 1903 except for a pistol grip stock)
Springfield Armory (1903-38): 1,340K
Rock Island Armory (1903-19): 346K
Remington (1942): 348K
Total Model 1903 Production: 2,034K

Model 1903-A3; 03-A3
Remington: 711K
Smith Corona: 234K
Total 03-A3 Production: 944K

Model 1903-A4; 03-A4
Remington: 27K

More of the Model 1903 rifles were made than the 03-A3. I'm not sure on the attrition percentages for each model but many if not the majority survived.  Neither the M1903 or 03-A3 is rare in the US.