1903 Springfield Book?

[STG44]

Can anyone recommend a 1903 Springfield Rifle Book? Looking for something that has lots of pictures showing different variations of parts, similar to the Collector Grade Publication books.

[Johnny Peppers]

The 1903 Springfield Rifles by Brophy is the monumental work on the 1903 Springfield, but it is not a reference to show you which parts are original to what rifle. Brophy's book came out in 1985, some of his information isn't entirely correct, and in 26 years more information has come to light. I know of some that are working on what should be really good books, but don't know of any others that I would wholeheartedly recommend. Brophy has pictures you probably will not see anywhere else.

[Alan Smith]

If you are interested in the M1903 rifle, then I would look at the "Rock Island Rifle Model 1903" book by C.S. Ferris (published by Scott Duff Publications here in the U.S.). The book sells for about $25, if I recall correctly.

While this book focuses on the M1903 rifle as produced at Rock Island Arsenal, it contains a wealth of information about the M1903 rifles made at Springfield Arsenal during the same time frame. This book is packed with information that I think anyone interested in the M1903 rifle will find of interest, and contains the detail-by-detail production changes (with photos) that it sounds like you are interested in.

I don't actively collect these rifles, but do have one (RIA #69999) that my great-grandfather picked up c. 1919-1920 off of a former battlefield in France while working as a civilian relief worker in the "Battlefield Salvage" section of the YMCA. To me this particular rifle is fascinating because it was actually issued out to the A.E.F., traveled to France, and (in the immediate post-war period) recovered as abandoned property from a French battlefield. Based on these facts I feel comfortable in identifying this rifle as a "combat loss" from U.S. troops in WWI.

Anyway, I have really enjoyed the C.S. Ferris M1903 book in the course of getting to better understand my family heirloom rifle.

[STG44]

Thanks for the recommendations. I own a 1903A3 myself but don't collect these. The reason I am asking is a friend of mine just came into a large group of 1903 parts that he is going sell and would like to know what parts are correct for the different year and maker rifles.

[Johnny Peppers]

Rock Island ceased production of the 1903 around 1920, so the models like the 1903A1, 1903-A3, and 1903-A4 will not be covered in the Rock Island book. Prior to WWII the Rock Island equipment was moved to Remington Arms, and Remington produced the 1903 on that machinery.

[Jeff V]

The best book, by far, for the information you are seeking is The Collectable 03 by J. C. Harrison published in 1997.

[STG44]

Thanks.