U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model 1903

Probably no other firearm has influenced American riflemen and hunters as much as the Model 1903 “Springfield.”

- Mike Venturino

Before World War I, Winchester and Marlin lever actions were the preeminent choice of American hunters. After millions of young Americans were exposed to Model 1903s during their military service in the years from 1917 to 1919, they became much more amenable to turn-bolt rifles.

It might be relevant to point out that twice as many American “doughboys” were handed Model 1917 “Enfields” during their military service. These rifles, however, were not the Model 1917’s most desired basic pattern postwar by American veterans. Remington’s Model 30 is a good example – sales were not spectacular. Conversely, Winchester’s Model 54 was very similar to 1903 Spring fields. It transitioned into the Model 70 in 1937, became known as “The Rifleman’s Rifle,” and is still popular today.

Another fact that could be pointed out is that American servicemen were first exposed to bolt-action rifles in the 1890s with side-box loading Krags. This is true, but America’s army was then a small, all volunteer one. Young Americans were exposed to Krags by the thousands, not millions.

Model 1903 development could be termed a conundrum. Some of the features incorporated in it were new ideas, including its medium-length barrel. Most military organizations had previously used rifles and carbines; the former’s barrels were usually in the 29 to 30 inch length, and the latter’s were 19 to 22 inches. American ordnance officers settled on 24 inches for 1903s, making them suitable for both infantry and cavalry use.

On the opposite end of the conundrum was a ramrod bayonet as had first been tried on Model 1888 “trapdoor” .45-caliber infantry rifles. It took a personal note from then-President Theodore Roosevelt to sitting Secretary of War and future president William Taft to have that fragile feature changed to a more practical knife bayonet.