Model 1903 National Match (NM) rifle manufactured in 1927-28. This rifle was formerly part of the LTC William F. Brophy Model 1903 rifle collection. It is pictured and identified by serial number on page 202 of "THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLES". The Springfield Armory Annual Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 1928 (July 1, 1927-June 30, 1928) states that the armory manufactured 50 "Rifles U.S., Cal. 30, Mod. 1903, Nat. Match, with pistol grip stocks" in FY 1928. In FY 1926 Springfield manufactured 95 M1903 NM rifles with pistol grip stocks. The total production of M1903 NM Style B rifles was 145 guns. M1903 NM Style B rifles are one of the most difficult to obtain of all M1903 variations. The "Style B" NM rifles were drilled and tapped for Lyman 48 micrometer rear sights. In addition to the "B stock" and drilled and tapped receiver, these rifles featured the headless cocking piece and reversed safety utilized on M1903 NM rifles from 1924-1929. The rifle components have the black green parkerized finish utilized on pre-WWII Springfield rifles. The rear sight base and front portion of the barrel have the glossy black, finish utilized on Springfield NM rifles. The bolt has a "WL/3" steel lot code on the top of the swept handle and is polished bright in accordance with NM specifications. Arsenal polishing marks are visible above and below the bolt safety lug. The serial number, "1282755" is electro-penciled on the top of the bolt. The receiver side rails and top of the magazine follower are also polished bright in accordance with NM specifications. The face of the folding leaf rear sight face and the "ON" portion of the magazine cut-off are bright. The top of the barrel is stamped with the star gauge number "F/528" about an inch ahead of the rear sight base and the star gauge mark is stamped at six-o-clock on the barrel muzzle. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped with the standard four-line Springfield markings above the serial number "1282755". The top of the barrel behind the front sight base is stamped "S A" above the ordnance "Shell & Flame" insignia and the date "9-27". The stock, correctly does not have an Ordnance final inspection mark on the left wrist. An encircled, block, "P" proofmark is stamped on the inside of the pistol grip. The stock is fitted with the late pattern, coarse checkered, buttplate. The safety lever and magazine cut-off have block letter markings. The rear sight lacks the 2750 yard volley notch at the top of the leaf which was eliminated circa 1919. The rear sight has the correct, flat face, rear sight windage knob and sight binding screw. The lower barrel band is, correctly, blued and has a block "U" on the right side. A small "H" is stamped on the bottom of the bayonet lug. The rifle is fitted with a Lyman 48B, short slide micrometer rear sight and a Lyman hooded front sight. The rifle is complete with a Springfield Research Service copy of the Springfield Armory sales receipt that shows "Rifle, U.S. Cal. .30, M1903, National Match" was sold to Henry S. Cole of San Quentin, California, on January 5, 1932 (both B stock NM rifles and "National Match Special" records are frequently identified only as "National Match" in Springfield sales documents.

Excellent. The rifle retains more than 95% of the original parkerized finish. The only significant wear is on the blued lower barrel band. The bolt retains nearly all of the Springfield Armory polished finish. The stock and hand guard are in excellent overall condition with only minor handling marks. No advanced collection of M1903 rifles is complete without a M1903 NM Style B rifle. Documented Style B NM rifles like this example are nearly impossible to obtain.