1903 springfield repair

Switch barrel guns were popular in the same era as takedown guns. In the days when hunters travelled by train, a compact gun case was highly desireable as it would easily fit into the overhead rack or beside the owner. Obviously, if a rifle or shotgun can be made as a takedown, it is not much of a stretch to make another barrel in any caliber that has the same breech face.

But, the OP is not interested in building such a rifle, only in properly installing a barrel on a Model 1903. Unclenick's advice is good, but setting the barrel back is not really an option if the configuration of the original rifle is to be retained. If the rifle is a Model 1903, the rear sight base has to be removed and replaced, plus the front sight has to be kept aligned. Then the bayonet will not fit properly since the barrel will be too short. The OP's best bet may be to either roll the shoulder as Unclenick suggests, or try to find another barrel that will draw up and headspace properly.

Jim
 
I just assumed it was either an A3, because he only notice the cocked sight when he put the new blade in, or that it was sporterized to the point of the ladder being gone and some kind of aftermarket receiver sight having been put on the rear. If the barrel has a wrench hole or notch, maybe it was set up as a take-down gun for travel in the first place? Remembering my own granddad's old 16 mm B&W home movies of western trips with Indian guides and the whole nine yards, the mule pack-out came to mind first, but of course the train travel to get out west would have been a factor too.
 
Hi, Unclenick,

I also made some assumptions, maybe without basis. I assumed "1903" meant just that, and also that Tom was trying to restore the rifle to its military configuration. I think a lot more info is needed, like whether the barrel is the original one or one he is installing to replace a cut down or sporterized one.

Jim
 
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