Rifle, Cal. .30-06, M1903 Series
The Springfield M1903, a bolt-action rifle, was the standard issue
rifle used by the Army from 1903 thru 1936, when it began to be
replaced by the new issue M1 Garand. But it remained in use
in many units up until 1943, when the Garand began arriving
in large numbers. The M1903 used the .30-06 standard military
cartridge in five-round magazines. The M1903 was an accurate
weapon, and was also used as a sniper rifle.
It remains in use today as a ceremonial rifle (1,295,000).
- M1903 (1903) initially used the .30-03 cartridge, but
was modified to use the new standard model M1906 .30-06 cartridge.
- M1903A1 (1929), with a straight stock, was the standard
Army rifle until it began being replaced by the M1 Garand
in 1936, and was in use during the early years of World War II.
- M1903A2 was a barreled receiver used as a subcaliber
rifle with artillery pieces.
- M1903A3 (1942) was modified to simplify production
by making use of stamped metal parts together with a pistol grip
stock.
- M1903A4 sniper rifle(1942) developed and produced during World War II, was a modified
M1903A3 specifically designed for use as a sniper rifle with the addition of
a M73 or M73B1 2.2X telescope. The M1903A4 had a full pistol grip
stock. The M1903 was an accurate rifle with an effective range of 600 yards
(550m). The M1903A4 was used during World War II, playing a part in
the Normandy invasion in June 1943, until it was replaced by the M1C
and M1D model Garand. The M1904A4 was also used to a
very limited extent during the early years of the Vietnam war.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m1903.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, August 07, 1999 6:35:42 AM
