uncle jimbo
Well-Known Member
My dad's original hunting rifle has come back into my possession after many years. Model 1903 Springfield. Not sure when he acquired it, but I think it was just after the WWII when he got out of the service. It has a stamping on the bottom side of the barrel just behind the front sight that reads 10-42. My guess is that was the production date. As you can see from the pictures, he bubba'ed it up to suit his needs for a hunting rifle.
As the possibility of restoring it to the original configuration it almost nil, I think I would Like to fix it up and shoot it if possible. The barrel has a machined spot that looks like it was made with dremmil back by the receiver. My father said that it was always there. It is hard to see in the picture.
What I would like to do is have the barrel removed and turned down if possible to make it look good and have it re blued along with the receiver. If it can't be turned down, I might have a new barrel put on it. I would just like to keep it as close to original as I can. Have a new stock fitter to it and mount a scope to it. I have the mounts that were used on it before. As can be seen, the mount holes don't seem to be in a straight line.
In 1970 the bolt handle broke and my father bought a WINCHESTER MODEL 70. Sometime after that he found someone to weld it back on. See the pictures. I was told that these old military rifles had to have the bolts heated and bent to allow the use of a scope. So I was told, but don't really know.
I would have to have the smithing work done and the fitting of the stock. Never done any work on a rifle and I did try to fit a new stock on an action once. It was not a pretty sight.
I am seeking some input and opinion about this project. If it is feasible and worth it or just to leave the rifle in its present condition.
Thanks, Paul
As the possibility of restoring it to the original configuration it almost nil, I think I would Like to fix it up and shoot it if possible. The barrel has a machined spot that looks like it was made with dremmil back by the receiver. My father said that it was always there. It is hard to see in the picture.
What I would like to do is have the barrel removed and turned down if possible to make it look good and have it re blued along with the receiver. If it can't be turned down, I might have a new barrel put on it. I would just like to keep it as close to original as I can. Have a new stock fitter to it and mount a scope to it. I have the mounts that were used on it before. As can be seen, the mount holes don't seem to be in a straight line.
In 1970 the bolt handle broke and my father bought a WINCHESTER MODEL 70. Sometime after that he found someone to weld it back on. See the pictures. I was told that these old military rifles had to have the bolts heated and bent to allow the use of a scope. So I was told, but don't really know.
I would have to have the smithing work done and the fitting of the stock. Never done any work on a rifle and I did try to fit a new stock on an action once. It was not a pretty sight.
I am seeking some input and opinion about this project. If it is feasible and worth it or just to leave the rifle in its present condition.
Thanks, Paul
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