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I recently acquired this rifle, it has a Winchester 28in heavy barrel in 30-06. Can anyone help me date this barrel. It is on a 1903 Springfield receiver. The receiver dates to about 1925. The barrel has “made in USA Winchester repeating Arms Co. New Haven Conn.” Then .30 GOV’T’06. I have seen similar barrels with the same legend but with the addition of ‘Nickle Steel For Smokeless Powder”. This barrel does not include that. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Thanks Stan 
There might be a year date stamped on the bottom of the barrel in front of the receiver. The stock would have to be removed to see it. There also might be caliber designation. RDB
Could be a Model 1922 Heavy Barrel Match Springfield, made by Win. using the ’03 action. These were discontinued when Winchester’s own Model 54 action was introduced in 1925. However, Winchester also sold the barrels separately. Barrel on this one looks even heavier than those I’ve seen in photos. A rare rifle if made by Winchester.
James (where are you?) has one.
clarence said
Could be a Model 1922 Heavy Barrel Match Springfield, made by Win. using the ’03 action. These were discontinued when Winchester’s own Model 54 action was introduced in 1925. However, Winchester also sold the barrels separately. Barrel on this one looks even heavier than those I’ve seen in photos. A rare rifle if made by Winchester.James (where are you?) has one.
Thank you Clarence! (I’ve been dealing with some serious health issues that regard my wife, and could use some prayers and well wishes for her from our members. I’ll know more about her ASAP.) However, here’s my take on this wonderful rifle:
“Hey old Buddy! Hope life has been good to you!!! For awhile there I thought that it might be a Type 1 Winchester-Springfield 1903 Sniper Rifle, too, but after checking into it, it looks to have started life as 1 of 150 national match Springfield 1903’s, and later became 1 of 100 , as best as I can understand the references, that Col. William Brophy’s best estimate is that this batch of rifles must be assumed to be Style “T” rifles were being manufactured/modified by Springfield in 1929/1930, and sold through the DCM. The seller of the subject rifle makes note to a reference that I do not have, and it is one that does not show up in price guides like the BBGV, so it does appear to be a Style “T” variation as I see it. Which is to say that the winner of this auction did very well, indeed.”
Excerpt from GB GD thread: Check Out This Auction — GunBroker.com Member Forums
Jamesw
James,
We will keep your wife in our prayers and hope she is on the mend soon.
Thank you for the reply to this post. The Springfield / Winchester rifle is a beautiful gun. As you point out it does not match exactly the configuration in Brophy’s book (a modified national match stock not a NRA stock) and it does not appear in the DCM/SRS records. it is very close about (8 serial numbers) to other National match rifles sold by DCM. So after some negotiations with the seller he agreed to take $2,000 for the rifle. The primary quandary with this gun is the Winchester heavy barrel. I’m trying to when the barrel was made. I can find no markings on the barrel except those published here. WE know the receiver was made in 1925, but the age of the barrel is still a mystery. Any help is appreciated.
Thank Stan
[email protected] said
The primary quandary with this gun is the Winchester heavy barrel.
It’s heavier than those standard on the 1922 “Sniper’s Rifle,” which was 26″ long, 7/8″ dia. at the muzzle. But the one on your gun proves they could be ordered longer & heavier. Maybe it’s not one of these factory-made “Sniper’s Rifles,” but still a great piece.
clarence said
It’s heavier than those standard on the 1922 “Sniper’s Rifle,” which was 26″ long, 7/8″ dia. at the muzzle. But the one on your gun proves they could be ordered longer & heavier. Maybe it’s not one of these factory-made “Sniper’s Rifles,” but still a great piece.
Stan,
Thanks for the note on my wife. Much appreciated. And, you are certainly welcome to the info. What a great rifle you have purchased!
Roger is correct about the year that Winchester made the barrel and it will likely match the Springfield receiver DOM, 1925. You should also find an MNS stamp (Midvale Nickel Steel) as well. The Winchester markings on the side of the barrel first came about during the 1921/22 period as I recall, and there is evidence that not all of the factory heavy barrels made before, in or after 1922 will have this side-marking marking. You should also find that the bottom of the barrel has a star-gauged number as well, again according to Brophy, same page of ref.
Clarence is correct about the comments concerning the barrel specs and that it is such a great rifle.
In reference to your rifle as I understand it, Brophy has stated, “It must be assumed that they were Style T rifles” p. 129 of his book, when specifically discussing the “Rifle, U.S. Caliber .30, M1903 Style T, Heavy Barrel”.
You got a fantastic deal! Congratulations!
James
jwm94 said
Stan,
You should also find that the bottom of the barrel has a star-gauged number as well, again according to Brophy, same page of ref.
James, doesn’t that pertain only to the SA barrels? If this is a “T”, isn’t it one that has been rebarreled?
He also says the official description called for a headless cocking piece, but that he had observed several with the standard one.
clarence said
jwm94 said
Stan,
You should also find that the bottom of the barrel has a star-gauged number as well, again according to Brophy, same page of ref.
James, doesn’t that pertain only to the SA barrels? If this is a “T”, isn’t it one that has been rebarreled?
He also says the official description called for a headless cocking piece, but that he had observed several with the standard one.
Clarence, thank you for the clarity on this issue. it looks as if I’m all wet. My apologies to Stan and all for being so misleading. Brophy looks to have classified these type rifles as: “Rifles, U.S. Caliber .30, Model 1903, fitted with heavy barrels, not of Springfield Armory manufacture.” So my star-gauged number comment is a Big Fox Po! And, you might well be correct that it was a Style T that has had it’s barrel replaced, but by whom…DCM or an individual party?
James
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