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That actually looks like a really nice period sporter. I would not restore it to original, because I think there will be a market for those like there is for Newtons and Buffalos, now.
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Leave it as is. That's a cool sporter, and once you reblue it, it'll never grow that warm, well loved patina back.
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Meh. I'm in the "Return to as Issued" crowd.
My Grandfathers '03 was in similar condition to yours, without the scope. All I needed to do was find a period issue stock and front sight blade and redo the bluing. I gave it to my father for fathers day and he was ecstatic. Both he and I enjoy the Military Look of rifles. I was able to do it for less than $250. |
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It is common to see barrels swapped out in the 1903 model .
You have an interesting piece with some history . Get a copy of the book The 1903 Springfield and its variations by Joe Poyer . There are some photos of what might be your model in there . |
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That's a great looking sporter. It's clearly been that way for many, many years.
I'd leave it just as it is. |
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Meh. I'm in the "Return to as Issued" crowd. My Grandfathers '03 was in similar condition to yours, without the scope. All I needed to do was find a period issue stock and front sight blade and redo the bluing. I gave it to my father for fathers day and he was ecstatic. Both he and I enjoy the Military Look of rifles. I was able to do it for less than $250. View Quote I was wanting to return to Mil-Spec but i like the hunting rifle look! I was looking for one so this works for me. Eddie |
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That actually looks like a really nice period sporter. I would not restore it to original, because I think there will be a market for those like there is for Newtons and Buffalos, now. Listen to this man OP . this. |
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Considering the extra holes in receiver required to mount scope and Lyman 48 this is pretty much up restorable to original configuration leave as is and enjoy
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It is common to see barrels swapped out in the 1903 model . You have an interesting piece with some history . Get a copy of the book The 1903 Springfield and its variations by Joe Poyer . There are some photos of what might be your model in there . View Quote I just ordered a copy on Ebay for $23 shipped. Cant wait to get it! What is the target range of the 1903 rifles? What ammo should I use in it? Thanks Eddie |
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That's actually one of the better sporter jobs I've seen in a while. I wouldn't change a thing.
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I just ordered a copy on Ebay for $23 shipped. Cant wait to get it! What is the target range of the 1903 rifles? What ammo should I use in it? Thanks Eddie View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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It is common to see barrels swapped out in the 1903 model . You have an interesting piece with some history . Get a copy of the book The 1903 Springfield and its variations by Joe Poyer . There are some photos of what might be your model in there . I just ordered a copy on Ebay for $23 shipped. Cant wait to get it! What is the target range of the 1903 rifles? What ammo should I use in it? Thanks Eddie 03 were run out to 600 yards in high power matches. Any 30.06 ammo will work, assuming it hasn't been rechambered. |
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Was it common for the barrels to be swapped out? View Quote Looks like the original 03 bbl that has been recontoured to a cleaner sporter profile, still has the anti-rotation/alignment pin slot for the 03 rear sight base & P mark, the number is maybe a heat lot. +3 it is a fairly nicely done period sporter just leave it alone. |
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Looks like the original 03 bbl that has been recontoured to a cleaner sporter profile, still has the anti-rotation/alignment pin slot for the 03 rear sight base & P mark, the number is maybe a heat lot. +3 it is a fairly nicely done period sporter just leave it alone. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Was it common for the barrels to be swapped out? Looks like the original 03 bbl that has been recontoured to a cleaner sporter profile, still has the anti-rotation/alignment pin slot for the 03 rear sight base & P mark, the number is maybe a heat lot. +3 it is a fairly nicely done period sporter just leave it alone. Good eye on the barrel contour OP when you get your book check page 46 and see if your rifle is an NRA Sporter . They had star gauged barrels with Lyman 48B rear sights . Bright bolt and contoured barrel like the one you have . If so that is the correct configuration for that model . |
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I think it looks right. It has the exact amount of wear that it should have--well kept and well used. Reblue it and it'll look not-right. It's got holes in the receiver--no point in even trying to go back to GI.
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I just ordered a copy on Ebay for $23 shipped. Cant wait to get it! What is the target range of the 1903 rifles? What ammo should I use in it? Thanks Eddie View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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It is common to see barrels swapped out in the 1903 model . You have an interesting piece with some history . Get a copy of the book The 1903 Springfield and its variations by Joe Poyer . There are some photos of what might be your model in there . I just ordered a copy on Ebay for $23 shipped. Cant wait to get it! What is the target range of the 1903 rifles? What ammo should I use in it? Thanks Eddie Actually, 1903 were used out to 1,000 yards. Any .30-06 ammo is ok in your rifle. |
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It's beautiful!
A great reminder of family and like it was made for you. Although I'm not sure how that will work with keeping your left eye open or not. Anyways. Congratulations. I wouldn't try to refurbish it back to military specs either. It's too far gone (as someone said with the holes in the receiver among other things) and what you have is excellent anyways. And as someone said, it's possible it was a sporter. I don't know much about that though. And yeah, that scope is saweeeet. I think they might have used those on some 03A4's. I forget. But my guess is it's worth some bucks. |
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A classic post-war sporter. It's well done. I wouldn't touch a thing and that family history makes it even more valuable in it's present condition. It's the type of rifle I'd like to add to my collection.
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Meh. I'm in the "Return to as Issued" crowd. My Grandfathers '03 was in similar condition to yours, without the scope. All I needed to do was find a period issue stock and front sight blade and redo the bluing. I gave it to my father for fathers day and he was ecstatic. Both he and I enjoy the Military Look of rifles. I was able to do it for less than $250. View Quote But his would need a replacement barrel with the rear sight collar. IMHO, that's not worth doing. As it sits it's a cool looking rifle and reminds me of what I envision as a very cool 1930-50's vintage well done conversion. Enjoy it for what it is is my suggestion. It's a lot nicer than a lot of sporters. |
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Good eye on the barrel contour OP when you get your book check page 46 and see if your rifle is an NRA Sporter . They had star gauged barrels with Lyman 48B rear sights . Bright bolt and contoured barrel like the one you have . If so that is the correct configuration for that model . View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Was it common for the barrels to be swapped out? Looks like the original 03 bbl that has been recontoured to a cleaner sporter profile, still has the anti-rotation/alignment pin slot for the 03 rear sight base & P mark, the number is maybe a heat lot. +3 it is a fairly nicely done period sporter just leave it alone. Good eye on the barrel contour OP when you get your book check page 46 and see if your rifle is an NRA Sporter . They had star gauged barrels with Lyman 48B rear sights . Bright bolt and contoured barrel like the one you have . If so that is the correct configuration for that model . I will definitely check when I get the book in. As far as the NRA Sporter goes that I have seen pics of, they have a Barrel band and from what I read they were only offered from 1924-1938. My barrel is dated 1939. I could be wrong! This has been a fun rifle to research. I have learned more about the 1903 in the past few days then I ever thought I would! I feel like I have gotten closer more personal with this rifle than any AR15 I have ever built! Eddie |
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Is the barrel Star gauged View Quote I have a strong suspicion it is. The A/#### shown in one of the photos bears a striking resemblence to a Star Gauge number. Loose Star Gauged barrels were sold through the DCM. OP, Have you had it out of the stock yet? Are there any other numbers on the barrel? |
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I have a strong suspicion it is. The A/#### shown in one of the photos bears a striking resemblence to a Star Gauge number. Loose Star Gauged barrels were sold through the DCM. OP, Have you had it out of the stock yet? Are there any other numbers on the barrel? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Is the barrel Star gauged I have a strong suspicion it is. The A/#### shown in one of the photos bears a striking resemblence to a Star Gauge number. Loose Star Gauged barrels were sold through the DCM. OP, Have you had it out of the stock yet? Are there any other numbers on the barrel? I had it off and do not remeber any. I will check tomorrow after work. |
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Possible to get a better pic of the other numbers on the bbl?
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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As good as I can get with phone <a href="http://s826.photobucket.com/user/fasteddiespumping/media/IMG_20131101_112926_875.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/fasteddiespumping/IMG_20131101_112926_875.jpg</a> View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Possible to get a better pic of the other numbers on the bbl? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile As good as I can get with phone <a href="http://s826.photobucket.com/user/fasteddiespumping/media/IMG_20131101_112926_875.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/fasteddiespumping/IMG_20131101_112926_875.jpg</a> That is indeed a Star Gauge number. When the barrel was originally sold there would have been a card included with all the pertinant info. That barrel would have been parkerized originally. When the rifle was built the smith buffed off all the ugly green park, and probably the steel lot code, and then blued it. I'd wager the crown is nice and smooth as well. The smith probably redressed the crown as well and that's where the star on the muzzle went. As these were "military" barrels the metal finish was functional and I believe they needed to be a bit coarse for the park to take. A good light and maganifying glass might reveal ghosts of the markings removed. The markings on the receiver are the various subinspector marks. Cool find. Just to reitterate...I would leave it as it is and not refinish or attempt to restore.. |
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So what is the plus side of having a Star Guaged barrel?
Eddie |
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All the Star Gauge means is it was tested. When it was sold it had a card with it that had the star gauge measurements. Were it in it's original condition, yes, it would be worth more. Here are a couple pictures I pulled from the net to show the normal finish and crown. You can see from the different crown on your rifle why there is no star on the muzzle http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/dracster/StarGaugenumber_zps30186312.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/dracster/Starmuzzle_zps7ac4d858.jpg View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Are Star Gauge Barrels worth more? Eddie All the Star Gauge means is it was tested. When it was sold it had a card with it that had the star gauge measurements. Were it in it's original condition, yes, it would be worth more. Here are a couple pictures I pulled from the net to show the normal finish and crown. You can see from the different crown on your rifle why there is no star on the muzzle http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/dracster/StarGaugenumber_zps30186312.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/dracster/Starmuzzle_zps7ac4d858.jpg Ok now I see. I am waiting on my Joe Poyer 1903 book to get here. Thanks Eddie |
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