Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles 1903-A3

My own Holy Grail came to me by accident. During the better part of a year as my home and office were some four hundred miles apart. I usually flew home most weekends on the Government nickel but had decided to rent a car and drive for the hell of it! A pee break taking me into a just off I-5 fancy upscale Sporting goods store in Stockton, Ca. Most ski & winter sports, surprised to find fancy shotguns in a glass case behind a counter. Brief chat as learning a rack of "also ran" long guns largely hidden in clothing. There 'it'. An NRA Springfield Sporter. Made by Springfield Armory for NRA Members, the Model 1903 in sporting configuration largely consisting of a Lyman 48 Sight and a half stock with especially made barrel band and butt plate. The price, $250 for this minty, original specimen. Snapped it up! Pix below. Verified with Springfield Research Service it's legitimacy and much later, the original owner's name and "shipped to..." location. Found him in Oakland Calif as death occurring in late forties and his place of burial in Midwest. Photo of his gravestone in my files.

Mine was in 'about' the first group made, all hand-fitted, build in 1924 and shipped to that owner in 1925. These rifles and components offered by Springfield Armory into the mid thirties as both trench of the Depression and complaints of "Government" not to compete with private firms, as valid. Something over 4K total production. Early editions as mine, "double heat treated" making for incredibly smooth actions. Later ones of Nickel Steel. Very few "original & unaltered" ones surviving! Talk about luck... My only "lucky pee!

Best!
John