This is an example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 bolt action rifle that was manufactured in 1915. This rifle is one of the specially selected Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 rifles sold to qualified N.R.A. members prior to WWI and has the distinctive Ordnance "Shell and Flame" insignia over "N.R.A." stamped on the forward trigger guard finial. The rifle has a blued barrel, barrel bands, trigger guard, floor plate, bolt and checkered buttplate. The receiver has an oil-quenched, blue-gray casehardened finish. The oil-finished, walnut, "S" stock has grasping grooves and a single reinforcing bolt. The "high hump" handguard has two spring clips a sight relief cut. The rear sight has a leaf with polished face, a center volley notch and dished windage and elevation knobs. The trigger is grooved, and the "ON" side of the cut-off lever is polished bright. The markings on the cut-off lever and safety have Gothic style (no serif) lettering. The receiver is roll-stamped: "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903/608016" with Gothic letters. The barrel is stamped: "SA/Shell and Flame/7-15" behind the rear sight. An "H" is stamped on the bottom of the bayonet lug. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection marks that consists of the Gothic letters "J.S.A." in a rectangle. An encircled Gothic "P" firing proof is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. The lower side of the bolt safety lug is stamped with the Springfield steel lot code "I 8." The rifle is complete with a rare wooden spare parts container in the butt trap and a russet leather Model 1905 sling.

Excellent. The rifle is completely original and retains 90% of the original blue and casehardened finish. Wear is limited to some scattered light pitting on the barrel behind the front sight and some minor handling wear on the receiver, trigger guard and floor plate. The stock and handguard are very fine with sharp grasping groove edges, crisp proof and inspection marks and minimal handling and storage marks. The only exception to this is a one and one-half inch long deep scratch on top of wrist. This is a superior example of a pre-WWI Springfield Model 1903 rifle. The Springfield and Rock Island N.R.A. sales rifles had the best fit and finish of any service rifle manufactured by the U.S. Army.