M1903

The Springfield Model 1903, commonly referred to as the M1903, is a bolt-action service rifle adopted by the United States Army in 1903. It was developed to replace the Krag–Jørgensen and was based on a Mauser-type bolt-action design with a steel receiver. Chambered for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, it used a five-round internal magazine fed by stripper clips and typically featured a 24-inch barrel.

Productionl began at the Springfield Armory, with additional rifles built at other arsenals to meet demand. The M1903 served as the standard U.S. service rifle through the 1920s and into the 1930s, and it saw use during World War I. As manufacturing evolved, several variants were introduced to simplify production and broaden adoption.

Variants and successors include the M1903A1, which incorporated refinements for easier production; the M1903A3, designed for mass production during World War II with simplified components; and the M1903A4, a sniper version equipped with a scope. Although the M1 Garand gradually replaced the M1903 as the standard-issue rifle beginning in the mid-1930s, the Model 1903 and its descendants remained in use in various roles, including training and reconnaissance, through World War II and beyond.

The M1903 is noted for its robust construction, accuracy, and influence on later U.S. rifle design. It remains a significant collectible firearm and a notable example of early 20th-century American military armament.

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