Low number 1903 Springfield

A

Alex Johnson

New member
I've got a relatively low number 1903 Springfield serial number in the 399XXX range from Springfield Armory. The funny thing is it's got a pistol grip stock on it. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been restocked. Come to think of it we've got another 1903 springfield from Rock Island with a 299XXX serial number also with a pistol grip. Most of the early springfields that I've seen have straight grips on them, so what gives with these ones. Somebody told me once that some of the early ones intended for target shooting had the pistol grip stocks. Any ideas?
 
Alex:
Maybe this, From Book of Rifles, will help you.

U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30 M1903A1:

In december of 1929 the stock design was changed from the straight stock to a pistol grip stock. The fore-end was also modified by removing the finger grooves. The buttplate was checkered to give better support on the shoulder, and the trigger was modified with serrations to prevent slipping of the trigger finger.

HJN
 
Thanks for the response, it still remains a mystery though. The fore-end still has the grooves the butplate is uncheckered and the rest of the action is still early style. I don't know.
 
Alex:
There is the possibility that various rifles were stocked with the earlier or later model stock. As the Barreld action remained pretty much the same, the stocks would probably be interchangable.

HJN
 
Arsenal rebuild was not uncommon. It kept idle hands busy and was a viable means of replacing obsolete equipment as it returned for repairs.
 
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