The Springfield 1903 Rifles

The Springfield 1903 Rifle, considered one of the smoothest working bolt action rifles ever made, saw action through World War II and is still used in hunting today. Its extreme popularity down the years has lent this gun a romance that has lingered to the present.

The Springfield 1903 Rifles is a book worthy of its legendary subject. It is the massive lifetime work of the rifle’s premier authority, William Brophy.

His exhaustive research took Brophy into some of the rarest collections in existence. These are reflected in the book’s more than 1,500 superb, first-quality photos, which represent the Springfield Armory; the Navy Museum in Quantico, Virginia; the U.S. Army Historical Institute; and Colonel Crossman’s collection, among others.

Such extensive documentation makes The Springfield 1903 Rifles a history classic. It follows the gun through both World Wars, tracing its development and detailing accessories, appendages, racks, bayonets, scabbards, various models, and much more. New information on the bushmaster and Marine Corps sniper is also included, along with historical anecdotes about Theodore Roosevelt and Colonel Crossman.

The book appeals to those interested in the history of firearms as well as collectors. Interest in the subject is so widespread that one knowledgeable source compared gun lovers’ fascination with the Springfield Rifle to auto buffs’ for the Model T.

William S. Brophy served in the U.S. Army during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He retired as a lieutenant colonel and pursued a second career in the firearms industry as senior technical manager and company historian for The Marlin Firearms Company. His lifelong interest in hunting and competitive shooting earned him numerous awards. He served on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association and is a member of the Connecticut Rifle and Pistol Association’s Shooting Hall of Fame. His books include The Krag Rifle, L. C. Smith Shotguns, and Plans and Specifications of the L. C. Smith Shotgun.