This WWI era 1903 Springfield Armory rifle was manufactured circa February 1917, right at the start of WWI. In both World War I and World War II, when the U.S. Army was rearming or upgrading their assets, they provided many, if not all, of these early M1903 Springfield and Rock Island rifles to the U.S.M.C. as a war expedient stock to help them expand their ranks. This rifle has some distinctive parts coming from both Springfield and Rock Island with some U.S.M.C. attributes. Receiver marked; "U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1903/641209" with the barrel marked "SA/2-17/A" indicating it was returned to the depot for alteration. The serial number range falls into the documented/noted range of numerous World War I issue U.S.M.C. rifles. The barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate have that distinctive blue finish as produced by Rock Island Arsenal, while the barrel, bolt and receiver all have the traditional Springfield Armory finish. The bolt is stamped "I 8" on the underside of the safety lug, which is correct for this period. It has the early all blued pattern rear sight with the early/correct dished windage and elevation knobs. The front sight is fitted with the rare "USMC .10" rear sight leaf along with the equally rare large U.S.M.C. front sight cover with a standard front sight blade. It is fitted with an early, correct one-bolt "S" pattern finger groove stock and high hump handguard with no cartouches. The end of the stock is stamped with a large "S" indicating manufacture at Springfield Armory and it is fitted with the unique pre-World War I smooth buttplate, that has hand-chisel gouge marks added on the face. This was developed in the Word War I time frame by the U.S.M.C. as a way to provide a better gripping surface when shooting. It has also been documented on many World War I and World War II U.S.M.C. rifles that were field modified like this. We removed the buttplate and it has been on this rifle for quite some time adding to its lineage. It has the blued finish on the various metal parts with the oil-quenched receiver.

Very fine with 85% of the original blue finish on the various parts as noted above, showing light wear on top of the receiver and edges of the barrel bands. The trigger guard assembly is arsenal refurbished with light pitting visible under the blue. The fingergroove stock and handguard are both very fine showing slight handling marks, with a beautiful matching medium brown color overall. The finger-grooves are original and sharp on the edges. Mechanically excellent. Certainly an interesting and unique rifle in high condition with U.S.M.C. attributes.