M1903 or 03A3 Springfield

[GTO-Guy]

Can you recommend any good books for the collector on these? I'd like to get one to shoot and possibly one for collection's sake, like a 1903A4 sniper. I just want to inform myself first. Of course there are many varieties so this could get $$$. (again).

[Plain Old Bill]

Try Joe Poyer's book- the 1903 Springfield Rifle, I think was the title, or one of the "For collectors only" series. You can get a nice 03A3 for 700 or so, and Gibbs is making a replica 03A4 for 1,000 dollars. Reviews are good so far...I'm saving...

[brian]

avoid poyers 03 book.
while his krag book is regarded as a milestone, his 03 book is full of bad info and terms that he seems to have pulled out of his own ass.

bruce canfield's "'03 springfield service rifle" is a really good entry level collector book.

[7998]

CMP Forum and Surplusrifle forums have 1903 specific sections filled with alot of good info.

[egon12]

I agree with Brian that you should avoid Poyer's book. Poyer's book is cheap and it is a lot more portable than some of the other reference works out there. I would also suggest William Brophy's book: [U]The Springfield 1903 Rifles[U] It is older from the mid 1980's but it is a treasure trove on all things 1903 springfield. A good reference book and an educated buyer is the best thing when it comes to buying any U.S. rifle or other firearm. There can be only slight differences between the $600 mixmaster and the $2000 museum piece.

[brian]

the brophy book, is the book on 1903's.

[GTO-Guy]

Thanks for the info guys! How about Canfield's book? Anyone try that one?

See, a couple weeks back I was in Iowa and found I was but a couple miles from Rock Island Arsenal Museum. They have a huge collection including M1903 serial number 1. Now that was cool. Problem is now I want one. I think it's the Garands all over again...