Manufactured in 1919. In Fiscal Year 1920 (July 1,1919-June 30, 1920) Springfield Armory manufactured 3,000 Model 1903 rifles for the 1920 National Matches. These rifles had selected star-gauged barrels, polished bolts, polished receiver runways and followers and incorporated most of the features found on the (National Match) NM rifles sold to the public from 1921-1928. The 1920 NM rifles did not have the distinctive star-gauge mark of the barrel muzzle which was adopted late in 1921 and the barrels were not stamped with the star-gauge numbers found on 1921 production NM rifles. The Springfield 1920 NM rifles are identified by the Armory polishing marks on bolts with "J6" heat lot numbers on the handles, polished receiver rails and followers and the Rock Island Arsenal cut-offs with serifed letters. The rifle has the distinctive Springfield Armory black-green parkerized finish on the receiver, barrel, upper barrel band, trigger guard, floor plate, buttplate and small components. The rear sight base has the black paint finish found on post-WWI Model 1903 rifles. The lower barrel band is blue. The rear sight face is bright. The bolt is polished bright and has the distinctive armory feathered polishing marks above and below the safety lug. The receiver runways and the top of the follower are polished to NM specifications. The stock has a fine checkered buttplate. The rear sight correctly lacks the 2,750 yard volley notch found on WWI production rifles. The rear sight binding screw and rear sight windage screw have the correct dished faces. The bolt has the post-WWI bent handle with "J6" steel lot code stamped on the top. The bolt body is correctly not serial numbered (NM bolts were not serial numbered until around 1924). The safety lock thumb-piece has block letter markings. The cut-off has a casehardened finish with serifed markings; the "ON" side of the cut-off is polished. The trigger is serrated with a cross-hatched tip. The rifle receiver is roll-stamped "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903." above the serial number. The barrel is marked "SA" above the Ordnance "Shell & Flame" insignia and the date "12-19". The oil finished black walnut "S" stock has two-reinforcing bolts, grasping grooves and is fitted with the lower profile post WWI handguard. The stock has the Ordnance final inspection mark with the initials "D.A.L." on the wrist, circled "P" behind the trigger guard and "C" sub-inspection mark in the cut-off recess and is correctly not stamped with the serial number (NM rifle stocks were first serial numbered on Model 1903 A1 NM rifles).

Excellent. The rifle is completely original and retains 97% plus of the parkerized finish. Nearly all of the black "painted finish" is present on the rear sight base. The lower barrel band retains 99% of the blue finish. The bolt body and extractor have the original Springfield Armory polish with clear "feather" marks above and below the safety lug. All of the markings are crisp. The wood is excellent with nearly all of the original oil finish. The final inspection and proof marks are very crisp. Wear is limited to some very minor handling marks on the left side near the cut-off. This is a scarce and excellent example of a 1920 Springfield Model 1903 NM rifle that would be nearly impossible to improve upon.