This is a very fine example of a U.S. Model 1903 rifle that was manufactured by Springfield Armory c. 1906/1907. The rifle has a "SA/4-06" marked barrel that was originally chambered for the .30-03 cartridge and altered to accept the .30-06 cartridge c. 1907. The two-strap rear sight base was moved forward when the barrel was altered and the original base pin groove is visible behind rear sight base strap. The rifle has the early production features which include, high wood "S" stock with no reinforcing bolts and smooth buttplate, handguard with no rear sight relief cut or spring clips, smooth pointed trigger, early trigger guard with trigger stop pin, small concave, rear sight binding screw with groove in the knurl and small (.45 inch) windage knob with grooved knurl. The receiver has the large, block letter, Springfield Armory markings introduced around serial number 288500. The safety and magazine cut-off have the early markings with serif letters. The bottom of the bolt safety lug is stamped with the steel lot code "S30". A small "S" is stamped on the rear of the handguard behind the hump. The stock forearm tip is stamped with a small "S". The left stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark that consists of the block initials "J.F.C." in a rectangle. An encircled block "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. The upper barrel hand is not stamped with the "H" ("hardened") on the bottom of the bayonet lug that was introduced about 1908. The front sight and front sight base have matching index marks. The receiver, bolt, trigger guard, floor plate, rear sight base, rear sight, upper and lower barrel bands, sling swivels and buttplate have the high polish blue finish used on early production Model 1903 rifles. The cocking piece, bolt sleeve, safety and cut-off have a muted casehardened finish. The "ON" side of the cut-off and the face of the rear sight leaf are polished bright. The walnut stock and handguard have an oil finish.

Very fine with 75% plus of the original blue finish. Most of the wear is concentrated on the upper barrel band which has about 40% of the blue finish and the buttplate which has a silver-gray patina with scattered pitting. The blue finish on the bolt extractor shows typical cycling wear. The trigger guard and floor plate retain 85% plus of the original blue finish. The stock and handguard are both in very fine condition with scattered, handling and storage marks. The "J.F.C." final inspection mark and "P" proofmark are sharp. This is an excellent original example of an early Springfield Model 1903 rifle with 1906 Alterations.