OK guys here's one for you..Good news is I have the gun, bad news is someone plugged the breech..Lead? Can it be removed? Tell me about the sling, cartouche, earlier ser #, barrel dated 2-16..all thoughts, siuggestions welcome...Thanks
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1903
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1903 ......
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1903 ......
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1903 ......
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Yours is an early model M1903 Springfield. Based on the serial number, it was made in 1907. This particular '03 has a mismatched WWII-era triggerguard.
This Springfield is was made before they started heat treating the steel in the receivers at the Springfield Armory (post-#800000 serial), so even if you managed to get the blockage out of the breech, it would be unsafe to shoot. It's a pretty good example of an early M1903 Springfield.
BTW, the stock is probably from a Remington Springfield '03. "FJA was[sic] the initials of Col. Frank J. Atwood. He commanded the Rochester Ordnance District, which contained Remington and other arms plants." The weapon that the stock originally held was approved for service by the US Army.
Could we see a shot of the front end of the weapon, underside of the barrel by the nosecap?Last edited by MauserKar98k; 09-03-2009, 04:50 PM.Comment
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underside of muzzle
here you go...........Comment
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Barrel date/..
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The melting point of lead would be far less than the Heat treating of the receiver...If its Lead it shoule be easy to remove.Comment
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Someone may have filled the barrel with lead to prevent someone from shooting this low numbered weapon. Could also have been a very early drill rifle.
How does it look without the wood?Comment
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If it is lead, and they used to do that, sometimes it is easily knocked out using a rod.
Safety is somewhat of an issue.
Most feel standard military ammo or similar hand loads are safe.
Personally, I have too many other shooters to chance it.
You can google " low numbered springfields" and get more opinions than Carter's has pills.MLPComment
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