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Help me identify this rifle please!!

487 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  HooPharted, 
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I acquired this bolt action rifle but I have no info on it… the only identifying marking is a “C113” on the top of the barrel. The bolt and action resemble that of a 1903 but I feel like that is a very common design. Any help is appreciated.
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Popeye
Sporterized 1903 Springfield
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E
Popeye said:
Sporterized 1903 Springfield
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Pardon my ignorance, but by “sporterized” do you mean someone put an aftermarket stock on it?
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Popeye
Sporterized=Changed from the original military configuration.

In this case, the stock and rear sights... maybe more.
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E
Thank you! This has been eating at me for a while! Why would this rifle not have any markings on it? Is there anyway I can tell how old it is?
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BillM
Looks like a 1903 Springfield--but I'm not seeing any info on the receiver ring.
If the serial number has been removed that is potentially a problem.

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E
That’s kind of what I was thinking… any suggestions?
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Mad Scientist
BillM said:
If the serial number has been removed that is potentially a problem.
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It may have never had a serial number, since serial numbers were not required prior to October 22, 1968, by the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968.
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Northtidesix
Popeye said:
Sporterized=Changed from the original military configuration.

In this case, the stock and rear sights... maybe more.
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Back in my younger days the surplus miliary actions were plentiful, and cheap. I did lots of 'Posterizing' on the Springfield, Mauser actions. That serial number stamp was never used by the manufacturer. If it was I never saw it.
Roy
Roy
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Northtidesix
Also, If you have not already done it. Slug the bore to verify the diameter, and get a casting on the chamber. I have posterized a couple of hundred of these old military actions in at LEAST 25 different calibers. Anything with a .473" bolt face was fair game.
Roy
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Northtidesix said:
Also, If you have not already done it. Slug the bore to verify the diameter, and get a casting on the chamber. I have posterized a couple of hundred of these old military actions in at LEAST 25 different calibers. Anything with a .473" bolt face was fair game.
Roy
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Whoa! how would I accomplish slugging the bore and casting the chamber?
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Stamps6
“Look what they’ve done to my boy”
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Square target
I've heard of some gunsmiths literally polishing off numbers and markings when they re-blued them. Just another possibility.
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BillM
Mad Scientist said:
It may have never had a serial number, since serial numbers were not required prior to October 22, 1968, by the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968.
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Correct, I've got a couple of old rifles with no serial number BUT---the 1903 Springfield was serialized right from number one. I've seen a couple of "lunchbox" 1911's with no SN, but never a 1903.
Here's a pic of #1 for your viewing pleasure:
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Alan R McDaniel Jr
It's a Mark 1 that has had the rear sight (milled, or ground) off of it and the serial # and markings along with it. Likely still 30-06. I would also guess Low Number. front sight has been replaced. Much of the action appears to have had a buffing wheel liberally applied with other areas untouched. Working the front ring down to more than stamping depth didn't do anything to strengthen an already possibly weak action, and, if it was heat treated that was destroyed...

Alan
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Oldoutlaw
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BillM said:
Correct, I've got a couple of old rifles with no serial number BUT---the 1903 Springfield was serialized right from number one. I've seen a couple of "lunchbox" 1911's with no SN, but never a 1903.
Here's a pic of #1 for your viewing pleasure:
View attachment 151447
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Ah yes, the number 1 made by Springfield.. It is in caliber 30-03. It came off the Assembly Line on December 20, 1904.
Rifle is 1903 design, but this rifle came out of factory on above date. Yes, I have seen that rifle numerous times.

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It is the middle one above.

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It is right where it was sent to in December of 1904. At the US Army Rock Island Arsenal
Museum. This is located about 20 minutes from my home.

The Museum has an untold number of weapons from all US conflicts there.
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Northtidesix
Eparson said:
Whoa! how would I accomplish slugging the bore and casting the chamber?


Both are simple. Apiece of soft lead is driven down the bore with a ramrod. Then measured to determine the groove to groove diameter of the bore. Then a lock wax casting is made of the chamber and measured to determine the cartridge case dimensions. With those measurements you can identify the ammunition the chamber was cut to handle. If you don't know how to do it take the rifle to a gun smith and tell him to do it for you. It is a simple process and does not require a great deal of skill, or expensive machine work.
I If the rifle has not been re barreled, it should be a .30/06. BUT given the amount of time and effort polishing the receiver I would not risk it. Somebody spent lots of time and effort modifying it.
Roy
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H
Mad Scientist said:
It may have never had a serial number, since serial numbers were not required prior to October 22, 1968, by the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968.
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i thought the military serialized their arms long before the GCA of 68 , that was just the start of commercial made firarms
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