Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903
Serial Number: 1246483
Year of Manufacture: 1922 / ATF Classification: Modern
Caliber/Gauge: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt action, controlled round feed
Barrel Length: 24" (star-gauged at the muzzle)
Sights/Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. A Bausch & Lomb Optic Co. Balvar 8 2.5-8 power scope is mounted to the top of the receiver via a Leupold base. The crosshair reticle is clear and the scope rates in Good condition.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The custom furniture is one piece wood with a cheekpiece, checkered semi-pistol grip, tipped and checkered forend, inlaid wood diamonds, and a smooth synthetic buttpad. The buttpad shows light handling wear and has stiffened some over the years. The furniture shows scattered pressure dings and drag lines. The LOP measures 13.25" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. There are no chips or cracks in the wood. The furniture rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp with heavy fouling. There is light erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its nonoriginal metal finish. The finish shows light edge wear, scattered scratches, and some spots of discoloration. The screw heads show faint tooling and retain turnable slots. Many of the original marks were wiped, the remainder are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Springfield Model 1903 was adopted as the standard U.S. service rifle at the beginning of the 20th century and served through World War I and well into the interwar period before gradually giving way to the M1 Garand. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield after the cartridge's adoption in 1906, the Model 1903 earned an exceptional reputation for accuracy and became a favored foundation for competition rifles and high-grade custom sporting conversions. This 1922 receiver is particularly interesting for its star-gauged barrel, a feature associated with barrels selected and precisely measured for superior dimensional consistency. It has since been extensively converted into a sporting rifle with custom wood furniture, refinished metal, removal of the original military sights, and a vintage Bausch & Lomb Balvar 8 2.5-8 power scope.
This rifle retains about 90% of its nonoriginal blued finish, with light edge wear, scattered scratches, and spots of discoloration. The custom wood stock remains in Very Good condition with scattered pressure dings and drag lines, but no chips or cracks. Its cheekpiece, checkered semi-pistol grip and forend, contrasting tip, and decorative wood inlays give the rifle a distinctly mid-century custom-sporter appearance. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling, heavy fouling, and light erosion throughout, rating 8/10. Many of the original military markings were softened or removed during refinishing, while those remaining are clear. The Bausch & Lomb Balvar 8 scope has a clear crosshair reticle and rates in Good condition. The action functions correctly. Overall, this customized Springfield Model 1903 rates in Very Good condition. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
