Springfield 1903 Mark I .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1919
Our Assessment:When the US Army was looking for a rifle design to replace the 1898 Krag rifle, they looked directly at the Spanish Model 1893 Mauser. This was due to the fact that the performance of the Model 1893 Mauser was far superior to that of the 1898 Krag during the Spanish-American War. The Model 1903 is basically a redesigned Mauser clone. A U.S. Patent Court eventually found that the U.S. Army had violated Mauser's patents and required the U.S. Army to pay the German Mauser manufacturers patent royalties. Payments were stopped once WWI started. The 1903 has a strong reliable action that served the Army for over thirty years in two world wars.
The 1903A3 is an improved version of the 1903 rifle that was introduced in 1942. The most significant change was the switch to a receiver bridge-mounted rear aperture sight.The 1903 Mark I was made to accept the Pedersen Device. The Pedersen Device replaced the bolt assembly and accepted a 40 round .30 caliber (pistol caliber) magazine. The cutout on the left side of the receiver is an ejection port. The Pedersen Device was meant to multiply the firepower of the individual rifleman. The rifleman carried 5 magazines for a total of 200 pistol caliber rounds. This was ideal for clearing trenches. Luckily WWI ended before the Pedersen Devices could be used in the trenches. For an informative video on the Pedersen Device and its accessories see youtube.com/watch?v=wLzdGPzHL8U.
This Mark I retains its original 2-piece sear which can fire both the Pedersen Device and the original bolt.This collectible Springfield Armory Model 1903 Mark I Rifle was made in 1919, it comes from gun author Rick Hacker's personal collection. This rifle looks pretty impressive for being over 100 years old and is historically significant. The rifle has clear Springfield markings on the receiver and the 1919 dated barrel. It also has an "OGEK" cartouche on the right of the stock, indicating that it was rebuilt at the Ogden Arsenal and inspected by none other than Elmer Keith! During WWII, Keith was an inspector at Ogden Arsenal, well before he would go on to develop the .44 and .41 Magnum revolver cartridges. This Springfield 1903 Mark I will make a fine addition to your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make:Springfield Armory
Model:1903 Mark I
Serial Number:1085212
Year of Manufacture:1919
Caliber:.30-06 Springfield
Action Type:Bolt Action Rifle, Fixed Internal Magazine
Barrel Length:24"
Sights / Optics:The front sight is a pinned blade set atop a raised base. The rear sight is a U notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder. When flipped up, separate notches and an aperture on the ladder can be used for sighting.
Stock Configuration & Condition:The hardwood stock has a straight grip, finger grooves, nose cap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The wood shows scrapes, scratches and sanding marks. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition, as refurbished.
Type of Finish:Parkerized
Finish Originality:Original
Bore Condition:The bore has an M.E. of 1.2. The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is deep. The muzzle & grooves are gray and show erosion. In this writer's opinion and for the age, the bore rates a 8 out of 10. Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950's.
Overall Condition:This rifle retains about 93% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, scratches, and areas of discoloration from oxidation. The screw heads are sharp, some show light tool marks. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics:The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories:A Boyt leather sling is included, the sling shows moderate wear and some verdigris.
CA LEGALITY:C&R: YES, CA DEALER Transferable: YES
RIFLE