According to information procured from the Springfield Research Service (photocopies included) this rifle was one of a batch of Springfield 1903s prepared for use at the 1926 National Matches. During that year the traditional Camp Perry matches were canceled, and a batch of the 1926 NM rifles were sent to the New Jersey State Rifle Range at Sea Girt, New Jersey for use in a Regional Match. Of the 500 1903 rifles supplied to Sea Girt, only 486 came back, and of that number only 430 were the ones originally sent out; 14 rifles had vanished flat out, and 56 had been swapped with older 1903s. Whether it was the National Guard boys giving themselves a quick upgrade or individual competitors helping themselves to the fruits of Springfield's labor is unknown. An old war department memo identifies this rifle by serial number as one of the 70 that failed to come home from New Jersey. It's whereabouts and travels for the last 90 or so years are unrecorded, though the sticky fingered marksman and their heirs did a fine job of keeping their loot in order. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights (sans volley notch), with a sheet metal front sight/muzzle protector and a P.J. O'Hare rear sight cover. The barrel is dated "SA/bomb/3-26" and bears the traditional star gauge stamp on the muzzle, with the traditional receiver ring markings. A matching electro-penciled number is present on the bolt body, with a "J5" marked bolt handle, "reversed" safety, and a proper headless cocking piece. The smooth "S" pattern stock is marked "D.A.L." in a cartouche on the left side, "S" in the magazine switch cut and "18/P" behind the trigger guard, with dual reinforcing bolts, a Safariland-brand brown leather sling, and a sharply checkered buttplate with trapdoor.

Very fine, with 95% plus original parkerized finish, showing some light scratches and rubbing from the sight protectors, mild edge wear, and light handling marks. The bolt body shows some minor brown spotting. The refinished stock is fine, with a few light scuffs and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A fair representative U.S. Springfield National Match 1903 with an interesting story to go along with it.