Posted on Aug 28, 2022
Recommended: The 1903 Springfield Rifle's Storied Military History
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Edited 2 y ago
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 9
Iams and Gross fought off the Cacos with their Springfields and continued to use their rifles to good effect even after the fighting evolved into a wild melee of hand-to-hand combat. Together, the three Marines opened the way for the capture of the fort and the destruction of the Caco force. For their bravery, the three would be awarded the Medal of Honor. For Butler, it would be his second Medal of Honor.
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The Legion Post I belong to has a rack full of them and they're all fully functional.
They were never demilled.
They were never demilled.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Our American Legion Post, 208, Millis, MA also has a number of the 1903 Springfield's in out armory and all are also fully l functional. We use them also for example on Memorial day for firing salutes as well as carry them in our color Guard for many events. I've even had member of the AMVETS post in formation and taught them the manual of arms on the .03 Springfield. I may ad those weapons actually still do belong to the US Army and are in our care.
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One thing I have noticed, not about the rifle, but the bayonet. It seems that after the '03 they started to get smaller & smaller. Now back to the "03, I wonder what it would be like if a 20 round box magazine was used in one. I have seen bolt action w/ detachable box magazines.
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SGT Matthew S.
I know the government briefly experimented with a stripped-down version that had a fixed box magazine. If I recall correctly, even the M1 Garand originally called for a detachable magazine but was changed because officials were concerned that service members would lose the magazine.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/shedding-new-light-on-the-air-service-springfield-m1903/
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/shedding-new-light-on-the-air-service-springfield-m1903/
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Shedding New Light on the “Air Service” Springfield M1903
There has been confusion and speculation about the M1903 Springfield “Stripped for Air Service.” Documents from the National Archives explain the why, how many were made, and how the “Air Service ’03” was obsolete before it was even made.
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