June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Original front sight band with two holes and narrow blade with original sheet metal sight cover. It has a 1902 style rear sight that has the 1904 peep attachment and usual chamber markings. Mounted in a one piece walnut stock with grasping grooves and a excellent "JSA 1905" script cartouche. It has full length round top handguard with grooved barrel bands, stacking swivel and sling swivels. The bayonet assembly attached to bottom of barrel retains its original ramrod bayonet with three dimple tip. It has milled trigger guard and floorplate with a smooth steel buttplate with trap containing a nickeled oiler/cleaning kit. Of the 76,689 1903 rifles manufactured with rod bayonets, 72,844 are recorded as having been altered to the 1905/06 configuration, reference "The Springfield 1903 Rifles", Brophy. The remaining approximately 3,800 rifles do not appear to be accounted for and can only be assumed that the majority were irretrievably lost or destroyed during testing and use as very few all original 1903 rod bayonet rifles remain today. This rifle appears to have all original rod bayonet parts including the first type stacking swivel, solid middle band, smooth trigger and original rear sight. Bolt body is polished bright as it should have been and extractor fire blued as originally designed. Left side of stock has a series of small dents and bruises from storage. Very fine condition. Barrel, bands and buttplate retain over 80% of their arsenal applied blue finish. Over 95% blue on floorplate and thinning blue on trigger guard. Wood is excellent with strong visible cartouche and numerous nicks, dings, scratches. Mechanics are fine and has a strong, bright bore. A truly rare military rifle and a grand opportunity to own an all original piece.
Barrel Length
24 - 1/4" bbl