M1903 Springfield rifle
The M1903 Springfield rifle was a bolt-action rifle used by the Military of the United States during both World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the early part of the Vietnam War.
The Springfield was based on the German G98 Mauser rifle. It holds up to five .30-06 Springfield bullets.
It was the US's main rifle during World War I. In 1936, it was replaced by the M1 Garand, a semi-automatic rifle. This was because semi-automatic rifles could fire bullets more quickly than bolt-action rifles. This was important because in World War I much of the fighting took place in trenches. In tight spaces like those in trench warfare, it is very important to be able to shoot quickly, and semi-automatic firearms do a better job at that than bolt-action rifles. However, it was still commonly used during World War II, and it became the main sniper rifle for the US. It was the main sniper rifle of the US until the early part of the Vietnam War.
M1903 Springfield Rifle Media
M1903 Springfield with loading clips
US Marines with M1903 rifles and bayonets in France, 1918
An Elder-type periscope stock fitted to an M1903 (1918). Designed for trench warfare, this enabled the shooter to fire over the parapet of a trench while remaining under cover and protected; the rifle is also fitted with a 25-round magazine.
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The Pedersen device allowed bolt action M1903 Mark I rifles with a left side ejection port to fire .30 caliber pistol-grade cartridges in a semi-automatic fire mode.
Camouflaged M1903 Springfield sniper's rifle with Warner & Swasey telescopic sight in France, May 1918
South Korean marine armed with M1903 rifle, September 20, 1950
M1903 Springfield with 8x Unertl scope used during a vintage sniper rifle match in 2012.
Diagram of the .30 Springfield rifle
- RifleSpringfieldM
- RifleSpringfieldMA
