This is an early example of a Model 1903, ".22 Gallery Practice" rifle (Hoffer-Thompson) as manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1910. The M1903 Gallery Practice rifle was a standard configuration rifle with a .22 caliber barrel, that was issued for instructional target practice on indoor ranges. Total number of these rifles production between 1906 and 1921 was 15, 525 rifles. The Gallery Practice rifle utilized a unique "cartridge holder insert" shaped like a .30-06 cartridge in which the 22 short cartridge was actually loaded inside of. The cartridge holders allowed Gallery Practice rifles to be loaded with stripper clips to simulate-loading and rapid fire on indoor ranges. Gallery Practice rifles were typically manufactured with some obsolete or rejected M1903 components in which these components were usually stamped "22". Since this is a very early rifle it does NOT have any of the usual "22" stamped on the various parts. The left side of the stock is stamped with a faint "JSA" cartouche with a faint encircled "P" proofmark found that was typically found on only .30 M1903 rifles. The front of the barrel behind the rear sight is stamped with "SA/Ordnance Shell & Flame/11-10". The receiver is roll-stamped with the standard M1903 nomenclature above the serial number "453374". It is fitted with an early straight handle bolt that is marked "C 8" on the underside of the safety lug. This rifle is fitted with an early style smooth buttplate and smooth trigger, both of which were still in use in 1910. The rear sight is a later standard pattern with bright face, no 2,750 yard center notch, and the coarse, smooth face elevation screw and larger concave windage screw. The straight grip "S" stock is the second pattern adopted around 1909 that has the single rear reinforcing bolt and is fitted with the correct early high hump hand guard with the post 1909 sight groove and double spring clips. The rifle does not include any .22 cartridge holder. Most of the .22 Gallery Practice rifles were destroyed following WWI with surviving examples very scarce. The rifle has a blued barrel, upper and lower barrel band, bolt, magazine cut-off, trigger guard and floor plate with a dark blued finish on the receiver. The stock and hand guard are oil-finished black walnut. It is complete with a leather sling marked "CS 1917" and a front sight cover.

Very good overall with 70% of the faded Arsenal blue finish mixed with a brown patina on the exposed parts with some loss of finish on the exposed upper section of the barrel. The refinished stock and hand guard are both in very good condition with a nice original oil finish overall with minor handling marks. A very nice example of a scarce Hoffer-Thompson 22 LR Gallery rifle.