A friend is looking at a sweet 1903, Sporter rifle.Any input from you gents who know these type of rifles would be very much appreciated. Rifle is std. 30-06 cal. RWTF

Is it a custom sporterized gun? Not too many "nice" sporterized A3-03s out there. Let us see a picture for an unofficial appraisal. Greetings from MD.

OK- will try to get some good fotos posted. The gunsmith who made this sporter for a family member some years ago was based in Ionia, MI-- Dave McCord- rifle was built in 1974, as evidenced by the inscription on the magazine floorplate

How do we determine what "special details" this rifle has, other than the Buehler Orinda CA markings on the scope mount and rings,- and the safety conversion from the "Wing" style.

"stock" Springfield triggers look pretty much like a Mauser military trigger.

Find and read Michael Petrov's book/s, Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century.

"sporterized" Springfields are not at all uncommon, I've owned quite a few over the years and still have a few.

Some were good, some were bad, and some were ugly.

"Some were, good, some were bad, and some were ugly" Sounds like a "spaghetti western title"--


This one is a beauty- as soon as I can get a friend to post some photos, I'll let you decide-- RWTF

This trigger has an adjustment vis a vis a set screw, adjusted by an allen wrench. No markings as to maker- I don't believe the "as issued" Springfield trigger had an adjustment set screw. It is not a Timney, but it has a "R" stamped on the stem, and that same letter appears elsewhere on the receiver and bolt-

No serial number etched on bolt, as with the older M70-- Glass bedded stock-shadow lined cheekpiece, rosewood pg cap, no checkering, Pachmyer vented pad extremely well fitted,. RWTF

We need pictures to properly identify it.

Concur-- This is indeed a fine custom Sporting rifle- built in 1974 for the late Fred McCord of Ionia, MI- by his brother, Dave McCord-- the gunsmith.

It has a B&L 3x9 Vari-Power scope in the Buehler 1 piece base mounts- std. 1" rings. To my eyes, it has 99% blueing, 98% stock finish with flawless fit of Pachmayr ventilated pad, rosewood grip cap, QD swivel studs-- mint bore and chamber throat. I doubt if it has been used very much.

I have "range tested it" with 165 grain Federal factory loads-- very close to MOA at 100 and 150 yards- from a padded bench rest position. Trigger breaks at 3.25 lbs. on a Lyman digital scale--

RWTF

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Very nice looking 03-A3. Is this a picture of Foxy or his friend?

Thanks- we sent Raimey 7 photos--and that is yours truly RWTF--

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

Fox, your friend's Springfield Sporter shows some resemblance to the plainer more subdued 1970's Winslow Arms Co. Rifles. A number of them had a very similar grip and comb. Yours has much nicer figure in the wood.



Note that I am not talking about the extreme French Whore Grades. A Detroit Pimp would kill to have a rifle like this one.

Makes me recall Patton's remarks about a pimp in a cheap New Orleans whorehouse--

I concur with the similarity--the Winslow rifle shown looks a great deal like the Springfield I have --Black Pachmayr pad seems to have a bit of a radius or concave section-- also, the rosewood grip cap on your foto shows a diamond in the center.

Thanks for the nice reply-- RWTF

Unfortunately, I'm frequently reminded of the Winslow stock design on many trap guns I see now days!!!!

Agree- some of the current SBT's stock and high rib-- not my cup of tea. Guess I am "Old School" but to me, a trap gun is a pre-1960 M12, with older style milled rib, sandblasted receiver top- 30" full, deluxe grade wood, grip capped with WRA logo-- MC or straight stock-pad--

I gave up shooting registered targets in the 1980's- RWTF

Keith,
Your Winslow looks much like my Enfield custom, except mine has no diamond insert in the rosewood grip cap.

Not my Winslow rifles Vall. Those were both photos I found in Google Images. I checked because I recalled the similarity in stock design to the rifle Fox has. I thought the gunsmith who sporterized his Springfield might have been influenced by their design. I think some of the plainer versions of rifles from the Eighty Four Gun Co. had similar styling too, but strangely, I couldn't find even one photo of a rifle built by Eighty Four.

I think that stock treatment has been used by a number of stock makers once it became popular. I've seen others and always on nicely customized old military actions. Mostly with new barrels, and only using military rifle actions.
They are somewhat dated to that period, as they were pretty popular once they caught on.

Thanks-- your analysis makes sense to me- as this gun is dated 1974, as per the inscription on the floor plate-- My friend who does not travel the internet, as I try to do, has decided to pass on this 1903-- he wants a pre-1964 M70-

Cabela's has had a few R. F. Sedgely custom Springfield's for sale in the past 3 years-- But I passed on them, and now they belong to other patrons of the GL. But this one has a great trigger, is accurate and was priced right. End of story.. RWTF

The Winslow rifle appears to have a blind magazine. Not too common with custom/sporterized Springfields ?

You, Sir- have a great eye for details-- that is a solid section under the receiver-- indicating a blind magazine-- more solid wood to carry the recoil effect of a heavier Cal.-RWTF