Historic-Firearms.com
M1903A4 with telescopic sight. Note that multiple other M1903s are in the background. This photograph was taken in 1943.
Origin: United States
Military Service: 1903 - 1974
Wars: WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam
Cartridge: .30-06 Springfield
Action: Bolt Action
Magazine: 5 Round Internal Magazine
Significance:Primary rifle of the United States during WWI, saw extensive service through WWII.
Historic Photographs
The M1903 Springfield was officially adopted by the United States on June 19, 1903, and saw significant use in World War I. It was officially replaced as the standard infantry rifle by the semi-automatic M1 Garand in 1937. However, the M1903 Springfield remained in service as a standard issue infantry rifle during World War II, since the U.S. entered the war without sufficient M1 rifles to arm all troops.
U.S. Marines were initially armed with M1903 rifles in early battles in the Pacific, such as the Battle of Guadalcanal. As WWII progressed the M1903 was replaced by the semi automatic M1 Garand. However, some front-line infantry units of the Marine Corpse retained their M1903s as primary infantry rifles until the end of WWII.
This rifle was intended for USMC issuance as evidenced by the U.S.M.C mark on its Sedgley Manufacturing Company barrel. Sedgley received at least two major barrel contracts during WWII. The first was awarded by the U.S. Marine Corps in 1941, these barrels are denoted by the encircled "s" trademark and the date of manufacture (1941-1944), and "U.S.M.C.".USMC M1903 Springfield
