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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1903 NATIONAL MATCH "B" .30 SN# 1269600
Maker/Manufacturer:	SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Date of Manufacture:	1925
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 6305
Measurements:	OL:110.4CM 43 1/2" BL: 60.9CM 24" 8 lbs. 14 oz.

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1903 NATIONAL MATCH "B" .30 SN# 1269600
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in 1925 - Model 1903 bolt-action National Match rifle with Type "B" type stock. Star-gauge mark on muzzle. Blued finish with full length walnut stock, military pistol grip style "B." Lyman 48C sight installed on receiver. Checkered buttplate with well for cleaning rod, etc. Weapon weighs approximately 8 lbs. 14 oz. Weapon is complete and in good condition.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903/1269600.
Barrel: SA/Ordnance bomb/12-25.
Bolt: 9600.
Bolt handle: WL/3.
Bayonet lug: H.
Stock: P in circle.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 23 January 1930.

Notes: "In the July 25, 1926, American Rifleman, the DCM described a new National Match grade rifle as follows: This office has available for sale a modified U.S. caliber .30 rifle, Model 1903. This rifle is of National Match grade throughout, but is equipped with a pistol grip stock with a military forend. Receiver drilled and tapped for a Lyman sight. The price of this rifle is $45.50.
In January 1927 the DCM again commented about the availability of the same type NM rifle, except that the stock was now described as the 'Style NM.'
Although it was announced for sale in 1926, the DCM sales lists did not include a description of the rifle until 1931 and 1932. The rifle was then described as follows: U.S. rifle, Caliber .30, Model 1903, NM (National Match Springfield rifle, star-gauged and specially selected, equipped with the type B pistol grip stock, receiver drilled and tapped for the Lyman receiver sight) - $40.50.
Captain Crossman in his Book of the Springfield (copyrighted 1932) described the Style NB rifle as follows: 'This rifle is exactly the same as the NM rifle (Style NRA) caliber .30, except that it is mounted on a Model 1922 M1 stock, Style MI, caliber .30 (formerly known as Style B stock.) This is a military type pistol grip stock with no grasping grooves. It is made of black walnut. It has an NM barrel, is targeted, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for Lyman sight. The rifle is manufactured for sales only.
The rifle weighs about 8 lbs. 14 oz. The overall length is 43.562 inches. The drop of the stock form centerline of the bone is 1.09 inches. The drop of the butt plate heel from the centerline of the bore is 2.215 inches. Distance from trigger to buttplate is 13.21 inches.
Springfield Armory production records are not clear with regard to the number of the NM, Style B rifles which were assembled. Due to the scarcity of them in the hands of collectors, it is speculated that very few NM rifles were sold. The only rifles listed in the SA records which could be considered this type were those identified as having a pistol grip as follows:
NM Rifle
1925 100 w/PG
1926 95 w/PG
1928 50 w/PG
The Style B stock was not liked by marksmen when fitted to either the Model 1922 M1 caliber .22 rifle or the NM rifle. It had too much drop at both the comb and the heel, and the grip was too long.
The DCM sales lists did not include the Style B (M1) stock as a stock which could be purchased separately. Also, the lists did not include the service rifle fitted with the style 'B' stock (SB) although Captain Crossman in his excellent books described such a rifle as being available. Also, an 'SB' rifle was listed neither in DCM sales lists nor in SA production records. Because the style 'B' stock was not listed by the DCM as one of the many stocks available through him, it is believed that it was available on special order only.
The 'B' stock fitted to a rifle by SA did not have the usual inspector's cartouche, though it did have the usual circled P proofmark behind the trigger guard on the bottom of the grip." - Brophy

"The 'B' stock is instantly recognizable by its 'flattened' pistol grip and greater droop to the butt stock. The 'B' stock was the M1922, Type 1B stock with a full length forearm and both front and rear stock screws. It was shaped for same Type 5 butThe 'B' Stock was installed only on National Match 'Style B' rifles manufactured between 1925-1928 and sold through the DCM-NRA in 1931-32." - Poyer

LOAN HISTORY:
Army #1488 - Weapon loaned to Thaddeus Konarski, Acting Commander, Polish-American Veterans, Chicopee, Ma. from 27 June 1958 to 30 June 1958.

See, Brophy, pg. 202.

References:
Brophy, William S. THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLES. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 1985.
Campbell, Clark S. THE '03 ERA: WHEN SMOKELESS REVOLUTIONIZED U.S. RIFLERY. Collector Grade Publications Inc. Cobourg, Ontario Canada. 1994.
Harrison, Jesse C. COLLECTING THE '03 SPRINGFIELD. The Arms Chest. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 1993.
Poyer, Joe. THE M1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE AND ITS VARIATIONS. North Cape Publications, Inc. Tustin, Ca. 2001.