doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Low Number 1903 Springfield 222

posted 14 June 2017 21:29
Here's an interesting project: I came upon a 1903 Springfield that has been converted to 222 Rmington. It has had the old serial number ground off and a new number stamped. I must assume that it is a low number gun. I wouldn't consider shooting a low number gun in .30/06 unless it had been re head treated like Sedgley did. Since I have no way of knowing that, would anyone care to offer opinions about shooting a non-reheat treated low number in .222? As a corollary, would anyone know companies that would re heat treat a Springfield at this date? I wouldn't even bother with such an endeavor except that it has also been converted to left hand and it has a nice slim barrel and classic sporter stock.

Regarding the heat treating you could contact Blanchards in SLC.

http://www.bmproc.com/

Vol423,

You are a brave man to being up the topic of shooting low number 1903 Springfields. That topic generally generates lengthy and heated detabe.

Serial number ground off, replaced with another and left hand conversion. I hope the experts chime in, but this sounds like possible Sedgley to me and if so, if I understand correctly, they were reheat treated and proofed again. Pictures would help and be of interest to most of us. As to shooting low number guns, I am on the go ahead side of the aisle if it checks out with headspace etc. That's just my decision and there are many on the other side of the aisle.
Thaine

Is it a geared left hand conversion like the Hoffman, or is the bolt handle moved to the opposite side of the bolt and the right side of the receiver welded up? Pictures would be great.

John

If things seem to check out okay, I'd shoot it. I think there's quite a bit more barrel containing that cartridge than a 30-06, regardless of the receiver ring. I wouldn't bother with heat treating, I don't know what assurances can be had from making the attempt. Best of luck with it.

This gun is serial number 0001, so I would not think it would be a Sedgley. A friend says that you can tell my the font on the other markings, which are still intact. I don't have photos yet.

I had this info saved,,I don't know how accurate it is as far as the ser# ranges go. But the lettering style did change over the production. The Earliest used a more fancy style with caps and serifs (sp?) on the letters. Also the lettering font has been described as 'script' style on the early ones,,and 'Gothic or Block' lettering style on the later production:

Springfield Armory production from the beginning to about 70,000 used the script or serif style stamped just under .100" tall.
70.000 to around 288,000 used the same serif script style but slightly larger at around 1/8" tall.
After 288k they went to the block style lettering still about 1/8" (.125") tall.
It's generally accepted that any SA '03 with the early style script lettering/ser# style is a low # receiver as the double HT didn't start till around 800,000 ser#.

** wether the above height dimensions are for the ser# figures alone (I think they are) or include the recv'r ring 'Springfield Arsenal' lettering as well,,I'm not sure. But the style of the letters & numbers should follow this general time line.