{"product_id":"u-s-springfield-armory-model-1903-30-06-1917-receiver-sa-1-18-barrel-likely-original-wwi-configuration","title":"U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 – .30-06 – 1917 Receiver \/ SA 1-18 Barrel – WWI Grasping-Groove Stock – Likely Original WWI Configuration","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA very well-preserved and highly attractive \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903\u003c\/strong\u003e chambered in \u003cstrong\u003e.30-06 Springfield\u003c\/strong\u003e, displaying a remarkably cohesive configuration with strong \u003cstrong\u003eWorld War I-era characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e throughout.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e663***\u003c\/strong\u003e, was manufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eSpringfield Armory\u003c\/strong\u003e and falls within the documented \u003cstrong\u003e1917 production range\u003c\/strong\u003e. The barrel was also manufactured by Springfield Armory and is clearly marked \u003cstrong\u003e“SA \/ Flaming Bomb \/ 1-18,”\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating production in \u003cstrong\u003eJanuary 1918\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1917 Receiver \/ SA 1-18 Barrel\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of a \u003cstrong\u003e1917 Springfield receiver and January 1918 Springfield Armory barrel is consistent with known Springfield Armory WWI production practices and surviving examples\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eM1903 receiver serial numbers do not necessarily correspond directly to the date on which a complete rifle was finally assembled. Surviving-rifle studies indicate that numbered receivers were not necessarily assembled into completed rifles in strict numerical sequence, making it inappropriate to determine an exact completion date solely from the receiver serial number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly, surviving M1903 serial and barrel records include documented examples of \u003cstrong\u003eSpringfield receivers within the 1917 production range fitted with SA 1-18 barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e. This establishes the \u003cstrong\u003e1917 receiver \/ January 1918 SA barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e combination as a historically compatible WWI-period pairing represented among surviving rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithout original ordnance documentation specific to this individual rifle, however, it is impossible to conclusively determine whether this particular \u003cstrong\u003eSA 1-18 barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e was installed during the rifle’s initial assembly or during its early service life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most appropriate assessment is therefore that the \u003cstrong\u003eSA 1-18 barrel is fully consistent with the rifle’s WWI service period and may represent either its original barrel or an early period replacement\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than an obviously later barrel associated with a WWII or postwar rebuild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCorrect WWI Two-Bolt Grasping-Groove Stock\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the rifle’s most desirable early features is its \u003cstrong\u003estraight-grip, two-bolt grasping-groove stock\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe straight stock with \u003cstrong\u003egrasping grooves\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the characteristic features of early M1903 production, while the two-bolt reinforced configuration is entirely appropriate for a \u003cstrong\u003e1917-production Springfield M1903\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is a closely related documented surviving example:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpringfield M1903 serial no. 664507\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rifle is a documented \u003cstrong\u003eUSS California\u003c\/strong\u003e M1903. Published examination records specifically describe its stock as the early \u003cstrong\u003e“finger grasping groove”\u003c\/strong\u003e pattern with \u003cstrong\u003etwo reinforcing stock screws\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial no. \u003cstrong\u003e664507\u003c\/strong\u003e is only approximately 1,000 numbers removed from the present rifle’s \u003cstrong\u003e663***\u003c\/strong\u003e serial number, providing an unusually close documented comparison supporting the correctness of the \u003cstrong\u003etwo-bolt grasping-groove stock configuration within this particular receiver serial range\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNaturally, this comparison supports the \u003cstrong\u003eperiod correctness of the stock pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e; it does not by itself establish that the individual stock presently fitted to this rifle is unquestionably the exact stock installed when the rifle was originally assembled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverall Parts \u0026amp; Configuration\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond the receiver, barrel and correct early stock configuration, \u003cstrong\u003emultiple Springfield Armory manufacturing marks and period-correct production\/inspection markings\u003c\/strong\u003e are visible throughout the rifle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe visible components are generally consistent with an early M1903 configuration. No obvious later \u003cstrong\u003eRemington “R”-marked components\u003c\/strong\u003e are present, nor is there an obvious mixture of substantially later replacement parts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe early precision-adjustable rear sight, milled steel furniture, checkered steel trapdoor buttplate and other visible components are consistent with the rifle’s WWI-era configuration and display a notably cohesive pattern of age and wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaken together, there is \u003cstrong\u003eno obvious visual evidence of a typical later comprehensive arsenal rebuild or extensive reconfiguration\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMetal Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metalwork remains in \u003cstrong\u003every good overall condition\u003c\/strong\u003e and appears to retain a substantial amount of its \u003cstrong\u003eearly blued finish\u003c\/strong\u003e, accompanied by an attractive and naturally developed century-old patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver, barrel and principal metal components show notably consistent coloration, wear and aging, without the conspicuous differences often encountered on rifles assembled from components refinished or replaced at substantially different periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNone of the visible components exhibit the more obvious \u003cstrong\u003egray or gray-green Parkerized appearance often encountered on later arsenal-refinished M1903 rifles\u003c\/strong\u003e, helping the rifle retain a particularly cohesive early appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSA 1-18 Barrel \u0026amp; Bore\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eJanuary 1918 Springfield Armory barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e retains a relatively bright bore with \u003cstrong\u003estrong, clearly defined rifling\u003c\/strong\u003e, showing only the expected age-related wear associated with a military rifle of this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidering that the barrel is now more than a century old, the bore remains in very respectable condition and represents another particularly desirable feature of this example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStock \u0026amp; Handguard Condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe early \u003cstrong\u003etwo-bolt grasping-groove stock\u003c\/strong\u003e is exceptionally clean overall while retaining appropriate service wear and natural age consistent with a century-old U.S. military rifle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpringfield Armory-related markings and other period details remain present on the stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper handguard shows \u003cstrong\u003eone small hairline crack that appears to have been repaired earlier in its life\u003c\/strong\u003e. The repair appears stable upon visual inspection and does not significantly detract from the rifle’s overall appearance or collector appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverall Assessment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, this is a \u003cstrong\u003ehighly cohesive early Springfield Armory Model 1903 retaining numerous correct WWI-period features and displaying strong indications of period originality\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is the combination of its \u003cstrong\u003e1917 Springfield Armory receiver, January 1918 SA barrel, correct WWI-period two-bolt grasping-groove stock, period-correct Springfield\/U.S. military components, and remarkably consistent early finish and wear\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurviving documentation and comparable rifles also provide useful historical support for the present configuration: \u003cstrong\u003eSpringfield M1903 rifles within the 1917 receiver production range are documented with SA 1-18 barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the closely numbered \u003cstrong\u003eUSS California M1903 serial no. 664507\u003c\/strong\u003e is specifically documented with the same period \u003cstrong\u003etwo-bolt grasping-groove stock configuration\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese references cannot establish that every individual component on this rifle has remained untouched since its original assembly. However, when considered together with the rifle’s own \u003cstrong\u003eperiod-consistent components, finish, wear patterns and absence of obvious later comprehensive rebuild characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e, there is good reason to describe the rifle as retaining a:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLikely Original \/ Period-Original WWI Configuration.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven that many early M1903 rifles were subsequently \u003cstrong\u003erebarreled, arsenal rebuilt, refinished or fitted with later replacement components\u003c\/strong\u003e during their exceptionally long service lives, an example retaining this degree of \u003cstrong\u003eWWI-period consistency, correct early grasping-groove furniture and overall period character\u003c\/strong\u003e should be of particular interest to collectors of the \u003cstrong\u003eSpringfield M1903 and U.S. World War I military arms\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AAG CANADA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54154971709551,"sku":"NR000301","price":2650.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/1836\/6063\/files\/IMG_9066_944d31bb-3bef-4132-b7b2-f03f3790aabf.jpg?v=1787931581","url":"https:\/\/aagcanada.ca\/zh\/products\/u-s-springfield-armory-model-1903-30-06-1917-receiver-sa-1-18-barrel-likely-original-wwi-configuration","provider":"AAG CANADA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}