Posted 10 years ago
Chrisnp
(310 items)
I get to use the word “iconic” again! Here is my 1903 Springfield, the iconic American Military bolt action rifle. Adopted by the Army in 1903, over 1.4 million were produced before being officially superseded in the Army by the M-1 Garand in 1936. The US Marines resisted giving up their ‘03s until 1942, when the Garand’s superior firepower proved its worth on Guadalcanal. Even then, a simplified wartime version, the 1903A3, continued to be manufactured till 1944. As a sniper rifle, the 1903A4 would serve from WWII through Korea and see limited use in Vietnam. In more peaceful surroundings, the match grade 1903 Springfield would earn a reputation for one of the finest target rifles of the first half of the 20th Century.
The 1903 Springfield is largely based on the Mauser design – so much so that the US Ordinance Department was found in violation of seven Mauser patents. The US paid royalties 0f $200,000 to Mauser (equal to 8 million dollars today) from 1904 to 1909.
When the US entered WWI, the Army quickly expanded. During the hard training, receivers on ’03 Springfields started blowing up in the new recruit’s faces. Eleven receivers blew up in the first year of US involvement, triggering an investigation. It turns out that the old hands at the Springfield and Rock Island Armories didn’t bother to use instruments to check receivers as they were case hardened, but relied on visual inspection of the color of the heated metal. A number of receivers were heated to the point of becoming brittle.
Production was halted while the problem was fixed, and eventually the Army stored away the early ‘03s and only issued those manufactured after the change. On the other hand, the Marines simply accepted the risk. By 1929, out of over a million rifles, 68 receivers had blown up. Despite the 03s continued use by the Marines in early WWII, and the Army taking many early 03’s out of storage to give to Gen. De Gaulle’s Free French, there were no further attributed receiver failures reported.
My ‘03 was made at Springfield Armory in 1911, one of the years when the case hardened receivers were suspect. Although many shooters won’t fire these “low numbered” ‘03s, I think that by now any receivers that were going to fail already have. Still, I have not tempted fate by shooting this weapon on the range.
The weapon is in very good condition in spite of some stock dings. The attached model 1907 sling has a manufacture stamp of 1918. (This style of sling is still favored by many “old school” target shooters today). The metal tube is an in-stock cleaning kit. One side of the tube contains oil, while the other side is a compartment containing a pull through and brass cleaning brush. The cap has a rubber end to keep it from rattling in the stock. Everything is original issue except the expendable brass brush. The canvas bag behind my '03 is the Model 1918 rifle case, an item rarely used in the field. Oh, and the blanket I’ve been using for my backgrounds is US WWI issue also.
Ammo: The original .30 caliber 1903 ammo was a round nosed cartridge that was replaced by a spitzer-style round in 1906, resulting in the venerable “.30-06” The original ammo that was used through WWI was a .308’ diameter 150 grain spitzer with a velocity of 2700 fps. The Germans also sued us for patent infringement on this, but that wasn’t resolved till after WWI. Since I haven't fired this weapon, I’m going to wait till next week’s post to describe my .30-06 reloads.
WARNING: Load data is provided for information only. Many vintage firearms are unsafe to shoot and I do not advise use of this load data for other firearms since I do not know the specific firearm that may be involved or its condition.
About time you got back! I bought an 03A4 thru the NRA when I was about 16. 4 Grove barrel gave great accuracy. Been a long time, but as I remember, I was reloading with 110 gr Speer or Hornady 3/4 jacket, using 3031 (or was it 4227?) but don't remember weight of the powder. High velocity that! And accurate tu r'ass! Bullets virtually exploded on contact. Loved that rifle & kept it in military form.
Never heard of exploding receivers, but wouldn't that mean that the barrel exploded at the chamber also?
Great post again. I had one once that had had the bayonet lug removed. Probably had been done to make it look more like a hunting rifle. Not sure why I bought it.
Hi folks, sorry for taking awhile in response, but Memorial Day weekend is always a busy one.
Blunder, those "Low numbered" 1903s have been the topic of urban legends. Occasionally I hear of someone's friend's cousin's brother-in-law who's buddy went hunting with a low numbered '03, and after shooting it several times without incident, he tapped it gently with a tent stake and the receiver shattered like glass. Uh huh. right.
The info I provided was documented by the Army. Of those 68 incidents where receivers failed, nobody died, three soldiers lost an eye, and the majority of injuries were minor. These had serials under 800,000 for Springfield Armory and under 280,000 for Rock Island Armory. No A3s or A4s were affected. Most of the receivers that blew up were manufactured in 1904. The year with the second most failed receivers is 1911, the date mine was made. Like I said, the Marines continued to use them, and the Army gave them to allies to use. Eventually they made it into civilian hands, yet except for the urban legends or the shooter doing something wrong like shooting it without cleaning the packing grease out of the barrel, you don't hear about the problem any more. To me the whole matter is about knowing the degree of risk. As to your question, whenever I read about this, the receiver is always mentioned, not the barrel.
I'll bet in an A4 that round gave great accuracy at shorter to mid ranges. I used to shoot competitively, first with an '03-A3 until I could get my DCM Garand. At the longer ranges I think you need a heavier bullet. In Texas where I competed, we had a 1000 yard range. I really miss that kind of shooting. My closest range here actually belongs to the police department and only goes to 100 yards.
Thanks for the post fortapache. Weird yours was missing the bayonet lug unless it was one of the very early '03s with the rod bayonet, but I'm sure you would have noticed that.
Thanks for the love officialfuel, racer4four, blunder, Manikin and fortapache.
Thanks for the love officialfuel.
Thanks for the love clockerman and petey.
"That be a hell of a frog-gig to put on the end o that thar thing!"
Thanks for the love Southcop and Blackshiep1. Frog-gig, Blunder? You must have been southern before you went further south.
Chris, "I ain't got no ax-sent. Kan't foa-d nun! I mo sudden dan southern." I don't have an accent, everybody else does.
M-1 Garand.....great little rifle .
Where did the "M-1 Garand" come into this Roy? In my opinion, the Garand had 1 fatal flaw. Once you put those 8 rds in, you were stuck with that count & couldn't add any rounds when you were getting low. That loud "pling" didn't help when you fired the 8th rd. Otherwise, great cal. & weapon. (If being attacked by 8 or less deer).
I could shoot the ,.1936 M 1 .grand in any position and nail what ever I was aiming @ which was really just a 1903 Springfield...you probably had one in the service too...." (If being attacked by 8 or less deer)."As the old fella up here would say ....aint that bright...
I get to use the word “iconic” again! Here is my 1903 Springfield, the iconic American Military bolt action rifle. Adopted by the Army in 1903, over 1.4 million were produced before being officially superseded in the Army by the M-1 Garand in 1936. The US Marines resisted giving up their ‘03s until 1942, when the Garand’s superior firepower proved its worth
I used to go to competitions with my DCM M-1 Garand. Ft Hood had a 1,000 yard range so I knew I could "reach out and touch someone" with that weapon. I wish I hadn't gotten rid of it.
I agree with both of you for the reasons pointed out. When in a tight situation, knowing you only have 1 or 2 rds left & no way to add rds., that's not good. Lot of diff. between the range & combat. You know what I mean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mbaO7qLzS8