Jim Watson
New member
About to the same degree when a young man at the range asked what kind of rifle was my M-1 Garand
I was looking for a good picture of the 1903 sight (actually a 1904 design, the original 1903 sight was dropped along with the ramrod bayonet) and found a site with this wisdom:
https://gunsbit.com/how-to-use-1903-springfield-sights/
"What is the On/Off Lever on a 1903 Springfield?
The on/off lever on a 1903 Springfield is the lever that controls the flow of gas to the gun. When the lever is in the “on” position, gas flows from the gas port into the chamber, and when the lever is in the “off” position, gas flow is blocked. The purpose of this lever is to allow shooters to safely clean their gun without having to discharge any rounds.
The Springfield 1903 is a bolt-action rifle that was used extensively by the United States military during the early 20th century. The rifle was designed by John C. Garand, who also designed the M1 Garand rifle that would replace it in service. The 1903 Springfield has a five-round internal magazine and can be fitted with either a bayonet or a scope.
Additionally, the rifle was not equipped with a bayonet lug, meaning that soldiers had to carry a separate bayonet if they wanted one. "