

Type S (W.W.II variation) Straight grip without finger grooves.Type C Pistol grip without finger grooves.

#M73B1 SCOPE VARIATIONS SERIAL NUMBERS#
Rifles with serial numbers below these ranges are best fired with factory loads or rather used as a collectorâs items. After changing the metallurgical process by including a double heat treatment, the new receivers got the 800,001 serial numbers at Springfield Armory and serial numbers from 285,507 were given to receivers made at Rock Island Arsenal. Under scrutiny, most receivers were considered perfect with a select few that were questionable. But after the war, the 1903 was restored as the standard issue rifle.īefore 1918, there was a long inquiry into reports of burst â03 receivers, which revealed nuances in forging â03 receivers at Springfield and Rock Island. So, the â03 was supplemented by the 1917 pattern Enfield rifle made by Winchester, Remington and Eddystone. By 1917, they realized there were insufficient â03s to arm the number of US troops enlisting for the Army.
#M73B1 SCOPE VARIATIONS SERIAL NUMBER#
Note that Match â03s manufactured prior to 1921 typically wonât have this mark.īefore the buildup to WWII, Springfield Rifles were manufactured at Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal using two different serial number ranges. If a barrel was star gaged, it was marked with a small sunburst image at the 6 oâclock position on the muzzleâs crown. When the National Match Springfield was introduced in 1921, all the NM â03 were star gaged and all DCM-issued weapons carried a star gage record. Shortly thereafter, star gaging was discontinued although some manufactured rifles were still star gage tested to ensure uniformity.

However, by 1909 more modern methods of rifling the â03âs barrels resulted in over 90% of new rifles passing the star gage test. The Krag Rifles lacked uniformity so around 1905, the star gage was created to correct the defect. This device had extensions to reach into the lands and grooves to measure the barrel size. With the cut off enabled, 5 successive rounds could be shot without reloading.īecause of the apprehension regarding the uniformity of the new service rifleâs bore diameter, a bore measuring device known as the star gage was used. With the cut off disabled, the rifle did single shots. The cut off allowed the magazine to be filled with 5 rounds. Complete with a device on the left of the receiver, called a magazine cut off that prevented troops from wasting ammo. Originally, the rifle was known as the U.S. 30 Government, which is also sometimes referred to as the. 30-â06 cartridge that was used in the military until after 1965. Pointed with a boat-tailed rear end, the improvement became the renowned. German experiments resulted in the spitzer bullet. So, the â03 was born because the original Kragâs single locking lug couldnât accommodate the increased chamber pressures of a hot-rodded cartridge. The US Army felt the increased velocity was necessary to compete with the Spanish Mausers they experienced during 1898 in Cuba. Before, the 30-40 Krag had already fired the same projectile at 2000 fps. firing a 220-grain bullet at about 2300 fps. It was in 1903 when they adopted the â03 Springfield that utilized a ctg. Then in the late 19th century, Springfield began several experiments with the Mauser Patent. However, the US Army became frustrated with having to reload the Krag with individual cartridges in a spring-loaded port in the starboard side of the rifle and they were looking at the German Mauser that loaded from the top with 5 rd. To read more about this rifle, Bill Brophyâs book of the Krag comes highly recommended. So, with the Krag in service from 1892, various other models were also issued (like the â92, â94, â96, â98 and â99) until the â03 was adopted. Prior to that, the military was using the Trapdoor Springfield (1873 model) and before that, they were using the Allen Conversion of the Civil War muskets. Way back in 1892, the US Government adopted their first official bolt action rifle, the 1892 Krag Jorgensen Rifle.
