1903 Springfield Sporter

[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.