1903 Springfield
A friend suggested I ask the pros so here goes:
Ser. # 883xxx
RIA over flaming bomb at top of barrel
2-19 below flaming bomb
U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 on the reciever
Very nice Parkerized finish on the metal.
Stock has the following markings:
224 stamped on the top of the handguard, forward of the rear sight.
Just above the triggerguard are two stampings, both enclosed in boxes. First one reads W.J.S. and the second is S.A. over S.P.G.
Any information greatly appreciated.
Ser. # 883xxx
RIA over flaming bomb at top of barrel
2-19 below flaming bomb
U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 on the reciever
Very nice Parkerized finish on the metal.
Stock has the following markings:
224 stamped on the top of the handguard, forward of the rear sight.
Just above the triggerguard are two stampings, both enclosed in boxes. First one reads W.J.S. and the second is S.A. over S.P.G.
Any information greatly appreciated.
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have 03 springfield ser # 185xxx. I read that there was a stamp on bottom of reciever that signified if the rifle was safe to shoot. there are a bunch of things stamped on bottom of reciever. does anyone know what the stamp put on by armory to signify that it is safe to shoot.Has 1942 barrel 4-groove. 0 -
Sounds like a nice early "high number" Springfield. At about 800,000 Springfield Armory started to "double heat treat" the receivers, so this one should be safe to shoot. However, you must also check the bolt to be sure that IT is safe; low number bolts are bent straight down at a right angle to the bolt body, and are unsafe. High number bolts are bent down AND swept back, and are safe. Any bolt marked NS is also safe.
The replacement barrel, parkerizing, & SA/SPG stamp tell us that it was rebuilt at Springfield Armory.
This rifle is certainly collectible, but not so valuable that you should worry about shooting it.
I suggest that you buy the booklet "US Rifle, Caliber .30, M1903" from the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
Neal0 -
Even the low numbered ones are PROBABLY ok to shoot in that only a few hundred perhaps ever failed out of about a million low numbered guns made, and the bad ones probably failed long ago... but why chance it? That said, my gunsmitty shoots his all the time no trouble, and I have heard of high numbered guns failing inexplicably. Bottom line, the gun is old, but if not abused, should be just fine. Springfields are great guns, best bolt action for target work of all the military rifles IMHO.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
Sir what you have is a arsenal rebuilt shooter.......The reciver 883XXX was mfg in 1918......the barrel RIA 2-19 is a Remington Iland Plant mfg Feb 1919......on the stock W.J.S. SA S.P.G.(I have nothing on either initial sets).....of coures the SA means Springfield Armory.......Please recheck those initials......john..... 0 -
Double-checked the initials. They are correct as originally posted. Thanks for the input. 0 -
Myra-Lou, RIA as stamped on the 1903 rifle barrels means Rock Island Arsenal. Remington produced barrels in the 1940's are stamped RA which is an abbreviation for Remington Arms. 0 -
Yes you are correct, it was late and I was tired......It is Rock Island Arsenal.....I had my Duh! on......I thought about it at the gun show today aand wanted to come back on and make a correction......john.......I still can't find out about the WJS. Inspector. 0 -
There's a bit of bad luck! My list of inspectors says: WJS Unknown M1903 .30 Rifles 1917-1920. 0
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