Early 1903 Springfield Project

[P0H0]

Okay, I’m off Friday - Monday (4-day weekend) and this is my project.

This evening I am putting all the parts through the ultrasonic.

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I believe I’m going to leave the stock where it is with 3 stains applied. I will be purchasing a like wood handguard in May, so I am not going to chase a matching finish with the current handguard. I will apply BLO later this weekend.

I did complete a borescope of the 1909 barrel (SA 10-09) and it looks great! The muzzle has a 1 ME — watch video of borescope by clicking here.

[P0H0]

More photos of Ultrasonic cleaning:

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[P0H0]

Inspecting the parts — the buttplate as I mentioned is being replaced (replacement to the left). I have more screws if I should need any. Next, I need to disassemble all the smaller parts.

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The rear sight base looks like it’s going to be an absolute pain — there appears to be a pin holding it in place. From what I’ve read, it’s really easy to damage it during removal. I’m going to spend some of tonight researching before I attempt it.

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[P0H0]

So I have read the rear sight fixed base is installed on the barrel at the factory — it really isn’t meant to be removed. I am thinking over my options — I may have to leave it in place and Rust Blue over it.

Something to sleep on…

Next morning…

Nothing really came to mind on how to get this fixed base off easily — the morning shower where I usually solve these types of issues drew a blank.

Removal ideas:

- drill a small hole in the pin to give the punch a bite so it doesn’t slip?
- construct a jig with a similar approach to a sight removal tool? (This could be a while)
- Leave it and rust blue right over it? (There is probably rust and crud between the surfaces)
- Take it to an expert? (I’ll call few gunsmiths in the area that specialize in older firearms)

[P0H0]

I spent the morning setting up for rust bluing:

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[P0H0]

Update:

I contacted a local gunsmith that has a lot of experience on the 1903s — basically said he can take the rear sight fixed base off, and removing the cross pin is the easy part…basically, there is a lot that can go wrong and be damaged. I was told to rust blue with it in place and it would be fine. Only remove if changing out the barrel.

I am starting metal prep this afternoon.

[butlersrangers]

Good advice from your gunsmith!

The 1903 rear-sight base is usually deformed by removal efforts. It was not intended to come off easily.
The deformation messes up the windage markings, the operation of the windage screw, and the smooth traversing and pivoting of the leaf.

There is a small hidden pin that is trapped between a barrel groove and a groove in the inside-rear of the sight-collar.
This serves as a spline and prevents rotation of the collar. (Like a wedge, it also resists forward movement of the sight collar on the barrel).
This pin is parallel to the bore. It was installed before the barrel was 'screwed' onto the action.
It is usually at the 1 o'clock position, but sometimes at 11 o'clock position.

[P0H0]

Great info BR - I’m glad that I didn’t try to take it off!

I just finished up the nitre bluing — oh wow, this was quite the experience. Let’s just say my skill in the kitchen paid off with an awkward part in the nitre bath.

- All the screws were inspected and repaired prior to Nitre bluing
- All the parts nitre blued were stripped down using Brownells Steel White.


Pictures and video of nitre bluing forthcoming tonight…. I’ll be rust bluing tomorrow morning.

[P0H0]

Here are some photos of nitre bluing the small’ish parts and a Bonus Video.

It was my first time nitre bluing. I don’t think the nitre cake you see in the video is normal if using regular nitre salts — I used Spectracide Stump Remover due to not being able to find regular salts like at Brownells.

I’ll take some more pictures of the Nitre blue parts after they soak in kerosene overnight.

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[ebruce]

Re: Spectracide Stump Remover. Would not ever have thought that stump remover would produce such very good results! Real surprise. Sincerely. bruce.