Krag Collectors Association Forum

I saw this safety-lever recently for sale on eBay.

It was listed as a Krag safety, but it is not.
The shaft is too large in diameter and the "OFF" & "READY" markings are not found on Krag safeties. The 'tip' of the shaft is not correct.

It kind of appears to be a 1903 Springfield safety-lever, but it lacks the necessary machined groove that engages the striker and the 'tip' of the shaft is not correct.

Anyone recognise it?

(I have a possible idea).

For comparison, photos of late-Krag and 1903 Springfield 'safety-levers:

butlersrangers wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:05 am I saw this safety-lever recently for sale on eBay.

It was listed as a Krag safety, but it is not.
The shaft is too large in diameter and the "OFF" & "READY" markings are not found on Krag safeties. The 'tip' of the shaft is not correct.

It kind of appears to be a 1903 Springfield safety-lever, but it lacks the necessary machined groove that engages the striker and the 'tip' of the shaft is not correct.

Anyone recognise it?

(I have a possible idea).

I don't recognize it, but I'm waiting for your idea. 03A3?

Learn something new every day.

I searched the Milsurps and CMP Forums and found clues and some pictures that led to an answer.

John Beard described what is called a "Sedgley Cadet Rifle".
These were a simulation of the 1903 rifle, produced during WW2 by the Sedgley Company.
The actions used discarded low number 1903 receivers and bolts. Sedgley made some non-standard small parts using zamack castings.
New non-standard stocks and handguards were fitted. Barrels were made by Winchester. 1917 barrel-bands were utilized.

The purpose of this strange hybrid was to replace real model 1903 Springfield rifles, that were being 'called in' from military schools, ROTC, and Veterans' groups.

The Sedgley Cadet rifles, apparently, could fire military ball ammunition, but were really not intended to do so.
The guns were cobbled together and parts like the butt-plate, trigger-guard housing, striker-mechanism, and sights used castings and improvised parts.

The oddball safety-lever, I noticed on eBay, appears to be one of the Sedgley imitation parts.

This is certainly a war time expedient arm, that collectors need to be aware of, in order to avoid confusing (substandard and non-interchangeable) parts.

Some partial views of a Sedgley Cadet:

When I was in USN Boot Camp in Feb. 1960, I was issued a 1903 Springfield with SN 4003. I've been a firearms enthusiast since age 11 and had worked in a gun shop for more than a year. I thought 4003 was a real one, a .30-03 that had been re-barreled. Now maybe not.