From Ben's Private Collection - Springfield Armory Model 1903 MARK 1 Rifle, 5 Rd Bolt Action, 30/06 Cal, Exc Condition - Ser # 1135042 - C& R Eligible

Beautiful Springfield Armory 1903 Rifle factory completed in the MARK 1 configuration. The rifle is in what I am assuming is Refurbished As-New condition with a beautiful parkerized metal finish. The walnut stock features really nice grain and all cartouche stampings are historically accurate. The stock is also historically accurate to the Mark 1 in that is has the recess in the wood under the ejection port on the left-hand side. This one also has the full factory cut away port on the left side of the frame which was intended to accommodate the Pederson device. The barrel features a micro adjustable rear sight along with a hooded front sight and it has U.S.M.C. along with 1-44 and an S inside a circle stamped on the barrel. Bore is bright and shiny from chamber to muzzle and appears brand new with beautiful, pronounced lands and deep, crisp grooves so I could assume that it was re-barreled at some point, but the barrel appears to be original U.S. military contract production, and the stamping would tend to reinforce that. All I know is that it is a fantastic bore, and it should be a tack driver. All visible serial numbers on the rifle are matching. Based on the serial number this rifle was produced in 1919. In full disclosure I purchased this rifle from an individual years ago and do not know the history of it so I can't with any certainty attest as to whether it has been refinished or otherwise altered from its original factory state. However, based on its condition I'm pretty sure that it has, and I would assume that it has been refurbished because you never see a rifle of this age that is this nice in original condition. However, I don't know that for sure. All that I can state for sure is that it is one beautiful looking, somewhat rare piece of U.S. military history which I have been proud to have in my collection and I'm sure that you would enjoy having in yours. I have never fired this rifle but it dry functions properly and is 100% intact. The rifle ships in a hard case for maximum protection. This rifle has been represented here through images and description with 100% accuracy as I know it and if you are not comfortable buying it based on this information Do Not Make the Purchase. All sales are final on this rifle. This rifle is C&R Eligible. Note - If you don't know what makes a MARK 1 rifle more collectible and would like to know the history, I have re-printed some excerpts from the CMP forums, and the Rock Island Auctions blogspot below. The back story. Over the last 30 plus years in the gun business I have acquired some really nice surplus firearms. These guns came from Gun Shows, private collections, and private individuals that I have met along the way, as well as, on occasion, what I would deem as the best of a particular lot when it came in here to Classic. Well, all good things must end and at this point in my life it is time to downsize a little and that includes letting go of some of these "Gun Safe Queens" that I have typically only pulled out to clean ever so often. Now don't get me wrong, there was a time when I would not have even considered giving up one of these firearms as they have been very special to me. However, my daughters show no interest in inheriting them, and at this point in my life I've decided that I would rather see them in the hands of folks that would relish them, than to have them to continue sit in a dark safe here at Classic. Each gun from my private collection is unique and they will sell individually by serial #, so when that gun is gone, it is gone and irreplaceable. At least from me. If you no longer see this rifle in inventory, you will know that it has sold.