April 9th & 10th Premier Firearms Sale (MFIRE)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/9/2016
Caliber .30-03, Barrel length is 24”. The rod bayonet rifles were manufactured from 1904-1906. This rifle manufacturer is stamped on frame “U.S. Springfield Armory 1903”. Has all proper metal parts. Rifle has not been altered for the .06 cartridge. Other special features of this rifle include: there is no gas port on the under -side of the bolt, has a Model 1905 bolt with small front hole only, it has the first pattern Mauser type safety, has the Model 1903 rear sight, has the 1903 front sight with the double holes and attachable sheet cover, has the early 1903 butt plate made from the Krag butt plate with small trap. Also has the stacking swivel that allowed easy extension and retraction of bayonet. Stock and hand guard are American walnut, finish is blue, safety has serifs and the 1903 sight collar. Type 1 markings on cutoff of serifs. All metal finishes on this rifle are a pleasing mix of blue with brown patina with sharp legends. Other than the 1903 and 1905 bolt the other issue with this rifle is that it sports a contemporary replacement exact duplicate stock of an original, right down to the script P and the JSA 1904 cartouche. According to the original owner, the original stock was broken and lost and stock was created as an identical match to the original. One would be hard pressed upon seeing this rifle to distinguish it from an original stock in near mint to mint condition with proper cartouche. Bore has an M.E. reading of 1 with a clean shiny bore. Excellent opportunity to acquire a 1903 rod bayonet rifle without breaking the bank.