This is an extremely rare, all original U.S. Springfield Model 1903 bolt action rifle manufactured on an experimental basis for evaluation by the Ordnance Board for use by the U.S. Cavalry prior to the change in Regulations in 1912. This rifle is certainly a very rare, "One of a Kind" example rifle that was intended to be evaluated and used in the same concept as the original Cavalry versions of the 1873/1884 Trapdoor and 1899 Krag Calvary carbines. This beautiful all original experimental Cavalry Carbine is accompanied by a short article by the late Kip Feiler a noted high end U.S. Martial Arms collector and researcher of US firearms attesting to its rarity. This rifle is so rare, it is the only noted "single" example ever manufactured for evaluation by the Ordnance Board. In all respects this was a pre 1912 Model 1903 rifle, as manufactured in mid 1910, except it has the very unique highly modified buttstock that incorporated a steel loop section on the lower half of the buttstock along with the addition of a cleaning rod mounted on the underside of the forend, like the Krag rifles. The lower steel loop section on the buttstock was to be used in lieu of the standard sling bar and swivel on the noted earlier Cavalry Carbines. Since this steel loop section eliminated the standard buttstock trap, thus eliminating the compartment for the oiler and pull-through cleaning brush, necessitated Springfield to add the cleaning rod under the barrel. In actual use the muzzle was inserted into a leather boot by the heel of the Cavalry rider with the grasping loop facing up and upward. The rifle was also secured by a secondary strap to saddle/rider. The rifle itself has the standard four line, Springfield Armory receiver markings over serial number 429577. The barrel is correctly marked and dated "SA/Ordnance Shell and Flame/5-10", fitted with its original blade front sight and the early pattern 1903 rear sight. The rear sight is marked 200-2700 yards with the bright face and the 2750 yard notch on the top. It has the correct, matching all blued, milled steel components with the lower band correctly, lacking the sling swivel. It is fitted with a correct Springfield Armory, blued, straight handled bolt, marked on the underside with only a single letter "I". This style of bolt was used by Springfield Armory from 1909-1917. As noted the front barrel band looks like a standard Model 1903, however internally it is reminiscent of the Model 1892 Krag rifles, as it utilizes a 22 inch Krag style cleaning rod, mounted in the forend of the stock, under the barrel. It is fitted with a correct, early single bolt, "S" pattern, finger groove buttstock with the noted loop modifications, with no acceptance and firing proofs. This would be correct as it was not a standard service rifle but an experimental prototype rifle. It has a later high hump handguard with the double handguard bands, and the sight groove.

Very fine overall with 60% plus of its original blue finish with nice original, solid blue on top of the receiver and barrel with the barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate all showing a light blue finish mixed with an overall brown patina. The buttstock and handguard are in excellent condition with only very minor handling marks with the steel loop section showing 50% of its original blue finish mixed with a brown patina. The markings are clear and sharp and the rifle is all original! A very rare example of an extremely rare U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Experimental Cavalry Rifle.