While it can be agreed the Springfield owes its' maternity to the 98 Mauser design; everyone here being aware the 1903 infringed on the Mauser patent. I would be careful in denigrating its' design. It wasn't so overly complex, that it didn't allow the U.S. Doughboys with their 1903's to march into Berlin as an occupying force, of the Mauser armed Wehrmacht. Just a thought.