1903 Springfield low and high numbers

[bcp]

High and low number safety:

M1903/M1903A3 Rifle Information - Civilian Marksmanship Program

The U.S. M1903 and M1903A3 “Springfield” rifles military issue bolt action rifles, used during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

thecmp.org

Serial numbers by year

U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Production - Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Serial numbers were centered (or very nearly centered) under the "Model 1903." Many photos can be found online.

Some "high numbers" are really low numbered receivers.
After the low number problem became known, rifles were found where someone, who wanted to sell a low number rifle, had stamped "1" in front of the low number, changing it to a "high number," but off-centered. Sometimes the "1" was higher or lower than the rest of the numbers, too close or distant, or wrong font.

Hatcher's Notebook, with much information on the 1903. Download or read.

https://ia601302.us.archive.org/3/items/Hatchers_Notebook/Hatchers_Notebook.pdf

!903 collecting, shooting, and researching can be interesting and challenging now that all the original people involved are gone.

Bruce

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[Mark W.]

I have a M1903 made in Feb of 1918 The serial number is 779*** it falls in the weird era of after the faulty heat treating rifles were made after they started using Pyrometers to verify heat treating temps but before the Double heat treating profile came into use at serial number 800,000. I bought the rifle as a Sporterized hunting rifle. But nothing had been cut except the stock and parts removed so I sourced the missing parts and then Modified a Boyds stock to the original spec's including the finger grooves. It came out pretty good.

The guy I bought it from and his dad had used the rifle for deer and elk since getting it before WWII He gave me a couple boxes of what they had been shooting in it. Remington Cor lokt 180gr He said they had shot dozens of boxes of it over the years. I have no doubt its safe to shoot.

 

[Chris Siler]

My understanding is that In 1918 Springfield Armory changed the heat treatment from "hard" to "soft" at around 805000. Rock Island around 280000.

They also changed the heat treatment of bolts at the same time. Early bolts can be identified by a 90 degree angle at the bolt body and handle. Later bolts have slightly swept back bolt handles. Since the bolt wasn't numbered, this method was used. It's effective as it is easy to identify the swept bolts.

In any event, why take a chance firing an early gun or later gun with an early bolt when there are plenty of later guns and bolts available?

Old guns are cool.

 

[1911Fanatic]

My wife just got her mother's Smith Corona made 1903. It has one scratch in the wood. Otherwise pretty minty. Would this be WWII production?

 

[bcp]

My wife just got her mother's Smith Corona made 1903. It has one scratch in the wood. Otherwise pretty minty. Would this be WWII production?

From:

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Smith-Corona Model 1903A3s

Although not as widely used as the M1 Garand, the Smith-Corona Model 1903A3s saw service in every theater of the war.

www.americanrifleman.org

"...on Feb. 25, 1942, Smith-Corona was granted a contract for M1903 rifle production."

Bruce

 

[1911Fanatic]

From:

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Smith-Corona Model 1903A3s

Although not as widely used as the M1 Garand, the Smith-Corona Model 1903A3s saw service in every theater of the war.

www.americanrifleman.org

"...on Feb. 25, 1942, Smith-Corona was granted a contract for M1903 rifle production."

Bruce

Thanks. That gives me a lot to check out. It will be a fun rabbit hole to go down.