Hi All -
I have stumbled across threads from this site for years but never registered. It seems that the most knowledgeable folks on 1903 Springfield custom rifles hang out here, so I decided to jump in and hope you all can help me on ID'ing a few pieces from my collection and maybe answering some of my newbie questions.
A little bit about me. I am in my mid '40's so I am a "younger" collector. I inherited my granddad's collection and have grown it quite a bit, mainly off of Gunbroker. My collection is mostly sporting and "western" arms as I am an avid big game hunter living in the heart of God's country in Wyoming.
Some of you may have seen this one on GB about a month ago. It had tons of views but then no one bid against me. I think I did pretty good at the minimum bid of $900, unless I am missing the elephant in the room. I have read and re-read both of Michael Petrov's books but can't say that any of the characteristics of this rifle match his descriptions. Based upon the Echo side scope mount, which is engraved to match the rifle with careful intletting of the stock to match, I am also thinking this is an early post war build, not covered by Mr. Petrov's area of interest.
The S/N has been moved to the side, 1382709 making it a 1931 nickel steel action. It has a silver bighorn on top of the receiver and a bighorn head on the floorplate. The action, scope mount, barrel, floor plate, and trigger guard are engraved with scrolls. There are silver inlays in the scrolls on the barrel and the floorplate. It has a Lyman 48 receiver sight as well as the Echo scope mount with a ramp front site and Lyman bead. The bolt is polished with engraving and checkering on the straight handle, and the action is smooth as butter. It has a steel grip cap with checkering and a nice checkered butt plate.
The Mannlicher stock has very nice large checkering, with a diamond pattern under the forearm. It has a nice cheek piece and some carving between the cheek and the grip that I will describe as wings. I cannot find any numbers or makers ID on the steel. The only marking I have found is on the wood under the action, where it says "SUPERIOR" in simple block letters similar to the "HUTTON" letters in Petrov's book, which really doesn't mean anything. The wood to metal fit is excellent. It fits so tightly that when I first received it from the cold UPS truck, I could not remove the action or floorplate due to the fit and the old cold congealed oil build up. After warming up a couple days it came off with difficulty and a lot of caution.
I have seen this buttplate a couple times before, including one on a Paul Jaeger, and there is a thread on Gun Values board with a stock carved just like this one. Check it out:
Gun values board I have pictures to post but I am going to have to figure out how to do it. In the meantime I am attaching a link to the GB listing.
Gunbroker It came out of Las Cruces, NM. The seller knows nothing of the history, he found it in a pawnshop. My theory is that it could have been a presentation piece to some scientist or officer at nearby White Sands.
I am looking forward to any information you may have. Many thanks in advance, Harold
