I recently fulfilled one of my longtime goals of acquiring a USMC rebuilt M1903. They're an interesting subset in the story of overhauled M1903s and the fact that they were the standard issue at Guadalcanal makes them that much more desirable.
My particular rifle was purchased from a gentleman who in turn purchased it from a person who worked at Philadelphia Navy Yard during WWII. After the end of the war, the obsolete M1903s were pretty much sold to anyone who wanted one and knew they were available.
Some pictures:
The rifle features a Rock Island Armory receiver mated with a Springfield 12-29 barrel. The stock and handguard are unmarked replacements.
The bolt is a straight-handled single heat treat bolt that has been electropenciled with the rifle's SN and most parts feature the light, greenish parkerizing common to USMC rifles overhauled at the Philadelphia armory.
The front sight has been staked on:
The condition is stereotypically Marine Corps- the stock is gouged and chipped but the barrel is in perfect condition. It was used hard, but well cared for. The sling swivels and floorplate were a bit rusted and pitted. My guess based on how badly corroded the swivels were is that someone left a wet sling on the rifle for a while.
A good word to describe the rifle is salty...a real piece of Marine Corps history and with the wear to show it.
Did I mention it can shoot? (When the shooter isn't an idiot and secures his sling for the first shot)
My particular rifle was purchased from a gentleman who in turn purchased it from a person who worked at Philadelphia Navy Yard during WWII. After the end of the war, the obsolete M1903s were pretty much sold to anyone who wanted one and knew they were available.
Some pictures:
The rifle features a Rock Island Armory receiver mated with a Springfield 12-29 barrel. The stock and handguard are unmarked replacements.
The bolt is a straight-handled single heat treat bolt that has been electropenciled with the rifle's SN and most parts feature the light, greenish parkerizing common to USMC rifles overhauled at the Philadelphia armory.
The front sight has been staked on:
The condition is stereotypically Marine Corps- the stock is gouged and chipped but the barrel is in perfect condition. It was used hard, but well cared for. The sling swivels and floorplate were a bit rusted and pitted. My guess based on how badly corroded the swivels were is that someone left a wet sling on the rifle for a while.
A good word to describe the rifle is salty...a real piece of Marine Corps history and with the wear to show it.
Did I mention it can shoot? (When the shooter isn't an idiot and secures his sling for the first shot)
USMC M1903
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