1903 Springfield Sporter

[Frank Srebro]

Here's a second vintage rifle I'll hunt with starting next week. Springfield Armory Model 1903 high number/double heat treated with a military 1932 dated barrel, probably fitted when Pachmayr converted her to a sporter in the 50's as best I can tell. Original 30 Gov't '06 caliber. She has a Redfield receiver sight and a ramp/blade front sight also by Redfield, a nice setup for woods hunting.

First pic was taken at the range earlier this week. Second one shows the "muzzle erosion" gauge reading only 1-1/2 = basically a brand new barrel. :)

Man, I like 1903 Springfield sporters. Anyone else here?
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[Rick Losey]

Very nice Frank

i always like those well done sporters, saw a lot of them back when i lived in your neck of the woods (along with home done ones of various quality from Herter's kits)

it was one of those great convergences in history - a plentiful supply of 03's at time when there were several skilled craftsman to build them, and sportsman with enough newly available time and money to put them to use

[charlie cleveland]

i like the 03 also i have one still in military dress she shore shoots fine...i also have a 6.5 jap rifle sportized and was convereted to 257 roberts but i had it convereted to 25-06..also a 8 mm mauserin full battle dress...gonna add a 303 british carbine in sportized fashion some day.thanks for this thread...charlie

[Jay Gardner]

My sentimental favorite when if comes to deer hunting. Early Griffin & Howe Sporter in 7x57. Amazing how accurate one can get with a peep sight and a little practice.

https://imgur.com/a/4t9kD

[Gary Laudermilch]

When I was in Viet Nam I learned that we were permitted to bring one firearm back with us providing the proper paperwork was completed. All of the 173rd Airborne brigade captured stuff came through our military intelligence detachment so I got to see a whole bunch of stuff. The first gun I held back was a soviet made SKS. Then I got hold of a Tokarev pistol so I left the SKS go. Then one day the captain in charge tells me I need to look at some recently captured loot. I could not believe what I was seeing. Six 03 Springfields packed in their original cosmoline (which was hard as a rock) and wrapped in a heavy duty wax paper with Springfield Armory printed all over it. I got my hands on one and started the paperwork. Unfortunately, our unit was shipped home early and the paperwork was not yet completed so I had to leave it behind. Sure would have liked to get it back home.

[edgarspencer]

Griffin & Howe were famous for their Springfield actioned rifles. I've had a couple, including a 1922 M2. RG Owen took them several steps beyong the average G&H, with beatuiful, if understated engraving.
RF Sedgely, of Philadelphia made many conversions, which were very plain in comparison, but to the highest standard of stock fitting.

[Jay Gardner]

duplicate

[edgarspencer]

My Sedgley 22 Hornet. Lyman 48.

[charlie cleveland]

i really like this hornet one of my favorite cal....charlie

[Bill Murphy]

Mine are Sedgley, John Oberlies, Dayton, Ohio, factory Springfield Sporter, two outrageous high quality conversions, one maybe an Ackley (the caliber marking is 30-06 Improved. Is that a clue to Ackley origin?). I have not had these two out of the wood to identify. These guns are the greatest American rifles of our lifetime.

[Frank Srebro]

An early Sedgley advert .....
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[Jay Gardner]

Early G&H built on a 1903 action, chambered in 7mm Mauser (7x57), 20" barrel and fitted with a Lyman 48. I have become a true believer in the power of the peep sight. Becoming proficient requires skill aquired through practice and concentration - same as when I was first learning to shoot 50-years ago, plinking at cans.

This rifle is so pleasant to carry and shoot, just holding it is almost magical and the stories it could tell.

https://i.imgur.com/x6TGrxbl.jpg

[Bill Murphy]

One I forgot to mention, I bought from a friend who bought it at a show years ago when I was buying a DHE 20 gauge from the same dealer at the same time. It is a first year (1923?) Griffin and Howe Springfield 1903, Griffin and Howe #109, Poldi Anticorro octagon barrel, probably Kornbrath engraved, 30-06. I restored it to its iron sight glory by filling a couple of holes used to mount an early scope that had no business on this great gun. Wonderful gold English Walnut with original trap buttplate.

[John Dallas]

A friend of mine who has exquisite taste in guns showed me this 03 at the Michigan Antique Arms Show recently. It was made by the Hoffman Arms Co.in Cleveland Ohio in 1923. The engraving was done by Rudolph Kornbrath. In the 17 years they were in business they made less than 500 rifles and shotguns. No, it's not for sale

[edgarspencer]

Beautiful gun. There’s something about a Lyman 48 and a Springfield. They are just meant for each other.

[charlie cleveland]

that's a nice rifle for sure...I have its plain jane sister built by Remington 1903 model...charlie