Rifle, Cal. .30-06, M1903 Series (original) (raw)

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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.

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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