1031 U.S. SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 COMPOSITE RAMROD

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 03 @ 10:39UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,500.00 USD
Estimated at 7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
BAYONET BOLT ACTION MILITARY RIFLE. Cal. 30-03. S# 1899. Bbl. 24 1/8". Correct tangent rear sight resembling 1902 Krag rear sight including sliding peep graduated to 2,000 yards. Rear sight base is correct double strap style, mounted by pin on top forward end. Blade type front sight, sight base with 2 lightening holes, pinned to barrel. This rifle in ramrod bayonet configuration contains many original parts. However we feel that many of the components are replacements and some have been modified to the early configuration. The receiver is marked "U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1903.". The Serial number indicates this rifle was manufactured in 1904 as a rod bayonet rifle. The bolt has a straight down handle and is marked underneath the safety lug "8" "1". Bolt handle has tiny "P" with punch mark underneath. Bolt has single gas hole at forward end. The safety is the second type with plunger and block lettering. Replacement cocking piece is later type. Smooth trigger. Trigger guard is a replacement with the later type shorter trigger slot. Follower is late rounded type. Blued barrel is marked on bottom under chamber with "S X P M 7". Sight base strap and bottom of barrel have numerous small dents due to improper use of tools. Front strap is bent slightly rearward and has small crack on left side. Correct type high wood walnut stock with straight grip and grasping grooves. Stock is marked only with "A" underneath grip. Hand guard with single retaining clip appears to be modern replacement & fitting at ends shows hobbyist gunsmith workmanship. Lower band appears to be welded to recreate the proper solid type and is notably distorted. Stacking swivel has round type base not flattened. Rod bayonet measures 23 1/2" overall and shows an arsenal rework blue finish. Smooth buttplate w/ trap. Buttplate is not fitted correctly to rifle with notable gap at edges and extra metal in toe area. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Original blued steel front sight cover. CONDITION: stock has lightly worn original finish with scattered small handling marks. There is a notable missing chip on the right side of butt at buttplate tang which has been sanded and given added finish. Tiny 1/2" crack behind receiver tang. two small faint cracks at forward end of trigger guard. Notable dents and abrasions in area of lower band due to improper installation attempts. Stock has small repaired cracks inside behind recoil shoulder and at lightening cuts at forend. Metal has mix of finishes & wear patterns. Receiver has been arsenal reparkerized. Rear sight shows original blue with wear and light oxidation. Barrel and front sight base have arsenal rework blue. Bolt has early dark parkerization. Replacement extractor with gas hole. Trigger guard assembly has arsenal rework blue finish. Buttplate is turned gray & patina with wear and light pitting. Shiny bore with lightly worn lands. PROVANANCE: from the estate collection of Thomas J. Mulligan. (23-1225/RW). CURIO. $7,000-10,000.