M1903 Mark I Restoration Project (Warning: Pic Heavy)

[OfficerObie59]

I picked up my Springfield M1903 Mark I in late 2010 when I walked into a gun store and thought "you don't see those everyday". It always draws attention at green shoots, and I love telling the story of the Pedersen Device--as some of you know.

Pedersen Device Wikipedia article: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedersen_device

Luckly, it still appeared to have the orginal barrel and J6 bolt. Nonethless, I knew the rifle was not in original condition, given a number of Remington parts indicating to me a WWII rearsenal. I bought it with a "R" marked stamped rear sling swivel, scant non-finger groove stock, as well as all the unique Mark I parts swapped out for regular M1903 parts. Thus began my scouring the internet to find the relatively rare Mark I parts.

I got lucky and found everything in relatively short order. Other than a previously posted issue with the buttplate screw (one of the GI screws I ordered was slighty smaller and fit perfectly--who knew there were multiple sizes?), it went off with out much of a hitch.

By my count, the gun should be finished, but I posted on the CMP forums, as those guys will let me know if I've missed the slightest detail.

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=105189

Source List - Mark I parts
Mark I Stock: CMP Forum - Det. Jason 714 (special thanks to CMP user Rex Guin for a second beautiful Mark I stock I didn't end up using)
Mark I Mag Cutoff: Local Gun Show
Mark I Mag Cutoff Spindle w/ Spring & Plunger: CMP Forum - CptEnglehorn
Mark I Trigger: Springfield Sporters
Mark I Sear: Numrich Gun Parts

Just in case you wanted to know, Mark I differences:

Also, you can see the stock has a carve out under the pistol round ejection port on the left side of the reciever.

Source List - Other Parts
High Hump Handguard: CMP Forum - Det. Jason 714
Rear Ladder Sight: Local Gun Show
Milled Rear Sling Swivel: Springfield Sporters
New Buttplate Screw: Northridge Int'l

Pics:

Any comments are appreciated.

-Obes

 

[OfficerObie59]

...

 

[martin08]

It appears that you have it, sir. Sear, cut-off, trigger, spindle, Pedersen hole in receiver with stock relief - Check!


Many times, the swept bolt handle is questioned on the Mark I, but that is also correct for the vintage.

 

[OfficerObie59]

It appears that you have it, sir. Sear, cut-off, trigger, spindle, Pedersen hole in receiver with stock relief - Check!


Many times, the swept bolt handle is questioned on the Mark I, but that is also correct for the vintage.

My main concern is that the other dated stuff is correct, like the handguard, sights, windage knob, etc. I have all the right milled parts, but so much changed in WWI I just wanted to make sure I got everthing else correct.

 

[martin08]

Some pics for comparison.

 

[OfficerObie59]

Wow, was yours ever molested at the armory? It looks totally original.

 

[martin08]

It had a Rock Island stock on it originally, otherwise it is all original parts and finish.

I found a very poorly listed Springfield 1903 auction for a late 1930's rebuild, and won it with one bid for $425. It had the Pedersen relief cut stock.

So, I put the Rock Island stock on the original finish Rock Island!

But back to your gun. Extremely well done project. Not many parts left out there to complete such an effort.

 

[OfficerObie59]

Extremely well done project. Not many parts left out there to complete such an effort.

Thank you kindly.

 

[Maninblue1861]

very nice, now just need the 40k for a pederson device, or if lucky, find one of the repro ones they made a while back at fraction of cost.

 

[JuergenG]

Very nice rifles, Gentlemen!

 

[Stryker]

Awesome picts - thanks for sharing - these are by far my favorite threads

 

[OldNorth]

You have excellent taste in rifles Obie