The M1903 Springfield Rifle: : Weapon Leroy Thompson Osprey Publishing

The M1903 Springfield Rifle

Description

Developed to replace the Model 1892 Krag-Jørgensen rifle, the Model 1903 Springfield was a five-shot bolt-action rifle that introduced the .30-06 cartridge - the standard US round until the introduction of the 7.62mm NATO cartridge - and gave the US infantryman a durable, magazine-fed weapon so renowned for its accuracy that it remained in service as a sniping rifle for decades after it was superseded by the M1 Garand in 1937. Extensively used in World War I, the M1903 Springfield saw widespread combat in World War II and Korea; even during the Vietnam War, US Marine snipers still used M1903 Springfield rifles, and it remains in service today with drill teams, color guards, and ceremonial units. When large numbers of M1903 Springfields were sold off to American civilians it became a popular hunting rifle and one of the most collected US military firearms due to the large number of variations.

During World War I, US troops developed a formidable reputation for marksmanship aided by the accuracy of the M1903 Springfield, which was widely used in that conflict alongside the Pattern 1917 Enfield. World War II saw the introduction of the M1903A3, which changed the rear sight so that it was closer to that of the M1 Garand, to allow easier training of troops who might be issued either rifle. The M1903A4 sniper version was used during World War II and later. Many infantry squads that were equipped with the Garand also had at least one "grenadier" who retained an '03 for launching rifle grenades.

Illustrated with specially commissioned color artwork and drawing upon veterans' recollections, this is the engaging story of the M1903 Springfield, an iconic rifle prized for its lethal accuracy that equipped US and other troops for much of the 20th century.

Introduction /Development /Use /Impact /Select Bibliography /Index

Product details

Published	Feb 19 2013
Format	Paperback
Edition	1st
Extent	80
ISBN	9781780960111
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	45 b/w; 14 col
Dimensions	248 x 184 mm
Series	Weapon
Short code	WPN 23
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Leroy Thompson

Leroy Thompson has trained military and police spe…

Illustrator

Steve Noon

Steve Noon was born in Kent, UK, and attended art…

Illustrator

Alan Gilliland

Alan Gilliland, a contributor to more than 70 Ospr…

This is a real labour of love. The book is beautifully written, carefully researched and well supported by a plethora of detailed schematics, period and present day photographs and lavish, specially commissioned original colour paintings by Osprey veteran Steve Noon. This book should be part of any Osprey collection and is, I dare say, Thompson's best book to date.

Military Modelcraft International
The author provides a full history of the design, development and use of the M1903. He compares it to other similar weapons and there is the usual bit on firing the rifle. Modifications and accessories used on the rifle are also covered in considerable detail. Overall, it is an excellent book on this important US rifle and one that no enthusiast should be without.

Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com (March 2013)
Photos, sidebars, technical drawings, anecdotes and index spice this handy guide.

David L. Veres, www.cybermodeler.com (March 2013)
...provides a fine focus on the late 1800s rifle used to overturn US troops' firepower disadvantage during World War I, and recounts the development of a rifle famed for its accuracy and used as a sniping weapon during the Korean War. Specially commissioned artwork accompanies veterans' recollections of the rifle and supplements a history documenting its military action and many successes, making this a 'must' for military and firearms holdings alike.

The Midwest Book Review (May 2013)