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MODEL 1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE:
The Model 1903 Rifle replaced the .30 caliber Model 1898 Krag Jorgensen Rifle in 1903 for the U.S. Army. It then took its place with the Navy and Marines in 1911. The Model 1903 was designed on the Mauser model 1898 design. It had a five round box type magazine and a double lug type bolt. The rifle had a few major problems and issues that needed addressed. Modifications were made to remove the rod style bayonet and replace it with an improved blade type design. The sights were also modified to a more accurate style. The cartridge was also changed, a new powder and case were used. It was changed to a .30 M1906 ( .30-06 ) from the old (.30 03 ). Close to 1.5 million Model 103 rifles were manufactured qt the Springfield Armory in Springfield, MA. And then close to 451,000 were manufactured at the Rock island Arsenal at Rock island, IL. The rifle served as the front line weapon of millions of American soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen during a series of wars and hostile actions that include the following. Mexican Punitive Expedition, Honduras, World War I, Nicaragua, and even service in China. It was also used during World War II. It was to be superseded by the M1 Garand in 1936, but an additional 1.4 million modified rifles were manufactured by Remington Arms Company and by Smith Corona Typewriter Company between 1941 1944. They were called the Model 1903A3 & 1903A4. The A4 was a sniper type design and the 1903A3 was a simple modified 1903. The Model 1903 rifle was so highly regarded by the soldiers that used it that they were hesitant to change over to the M1 Garand.
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