Early 1903 Springfield Project

[P0H0]

I came across an early 1903 Springfield and thought I would pick it up as my next project — It will be an early representation of the 1903 for my collection. I have conducted a mental assessment of what needs to be done, and what needs to be changed out.

I’m curious, what is your assessment?

1903 Springfield
Serial #383833
Production Year: 1909
Barrel: SA 10-09
Finish: <10%
Pitting: None observed in photos
Stock: Reproduction Scant Stock

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[P0H0]

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[P0H0]

I took apart the rifle over the weekend and did an initial assessment. Everything is in great order…,

- Receiver - The metal appears not to be pitted and is in great shape, although the finish is mostly gone.
- Bolt: The bolt is in great shape and has a straight bolt handle (not swept slight back like later years) with a C 6 code. Headspace is good - not even close to closing on the No-Go.
- Barrel: The barrel is a 10-09 SA. The rifling appears to be strong and it has an ME of 1. I will be doing a borescope of the barrel later this week after I unltrasonic the parts.
- Butt plate: It is in rough shape, but I do think it can be cleaned up. Although there is some gouged side metal…. I went ahead and ordered in another smooth butt plate to replace it.
- General Parts: All the parts appear to be in good order.
- Screws and Bands: Everything appears to be in decent shape — some screws will need to be cleaned up a bit. I do have some spares if anything needs to be replaced.
-Stock: The stock is a scant stock — I have a new straight stock and will be replacing it - I fit the new stock to the rifle over the weekend.

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[P0H0]

Next Steps:

- Strip both 1903 Stocks down and refinish (I have begun stripping the new stock — see picture previous post).
- Clean all metal parts in the ultrasonic
- Complete disassembly and detailed assessment of parts
- Conservation Rust Blue (Mike Novak) — Rust blue over existing finish using warm box and steam pipe to accelerate process. Will repeat process as many times as needed to achieve uniform color (probably 4 to 6 times — but could be more). Set finish with immersion in kerosene for 24 - 48 hours.

I plan to use next weekend to complete the rifle.

[P0H0]

I built a “light box” over the weekend for photographing rifles — I have a lot to learn still:

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More 1903 Photos in Light Box

[Ned Butts]

Nice project! Keep the up dates coming!

[P0H0]

I’m preparing for the metal parts this weekend. Everything is going to be cleaned with the ultrasonic and broken down into individual parts with one last inspection.

The goal is to do a conservation rust bluing — popularized by Mike Novak, the rust blue is done right over the existing finish (rust blue/case hardening). With enough passes, the new and preserved finish will match uniformly.

A new 1903 prior to WW I had the following finish from production:

The finish on the barrel (with sight bases attached), bolt, upper band, and extractor on all rifles produced through 1917 was properly called "browning." This finish, commonly referred to as "bluing," was the result of a lengthy process that resulted in the coloring of the metal with the deep, brilliant, blue-black finish so prized on sporting arms.

Finish on all other metal parts was the end result of the heat treatment applied.
Thus such parts as the trigger guard and floorplate, front sight moveable stud, butt swivel, lower band and spring, and magazine spring were niter blued at 800° F; while such parts as the receiver, bolt sleeve, cocking piece, follower, trigger, buttplate, and rear sight leaf and moveable base were blackened in the oil quench of casehardening.

The cutoff and the safety lock thumbpiece were dulled in the water quench of case-hardening. (The rear surfaces of the safety lock assembly and the firing pin assembly were etched after the spindle or rod was riveted and ground flush.

- The 03’ Springfield Rifles’ Era, by Clark Campbell

Like the Krag, the 1903 had a case hardened receiver. I need to verify, but it is likely the receiver and other case hardened pieces were rust blued when re-arsenaled prior to World War I (Parkerizing began during WW I)— just like the Krag rifles. With that in mind, here is the proposed finish list:

Rust Blued

- [ ] Barrel & Receiver
- [ ] Bolt
- [ ] Upper Band
- [ ] Extractor
- [ ] Butt Plate
- [ ] Bolt Sleeve
- [ ] Cocking Piece
- [ ] Follower
- [ ] Trigger
- [ ] Movable Sight Base
- [ ] Safety
- [ ] Cutoff

Nitre Blued

- [ ] Trigger Guard
- [ ] Magazine Spring
- [ ] Floor Plate
- [ ] Front Sight Movable Stud
- [ ] Butt Swivel
- [ ] Lower Band and Spring
- [ ] Rear Sight Leaf (Polished Face)
- [ ] Upper Band Stacking Swivel Piece
- [ ] Screws

[Parashooter]

Save potential problem by leaving magazine spring alone (except for any needed cleaning).
1. It's hidden from view.
2. Any heat process might ruin spring temper.

[P0H0]

Great point Parashooter.

[ebruce]

Just found this post. Will be following with interest.