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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1903 .30
Maker/Manufacturer:	SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Date of Manufacture:	1909
Eminent Figure:	NEARY, THOMAS E.
Catalog Number:	SPAR 6183
Measurements:	OL:110.4CM 43 1/2 BL: 60.9CM 24"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1903 .30
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in 1909 - Model 1903 bolt-action rifle equipped with Thomas E. Neary's sight illuminating device. Batteries are contained in the butt stock. Two small light bulbs project light on both the front sight blade and rear sight. A button on the right side of the stock is pushed to activate the device. According to a Springfield Armory memo, dated 1909: "The batteries furnishing the current for the lamps consist of 3 small dry cells in series. These are standard "Ever Ready" cells measuring 1" diameter x 1 7/8" long, and were purchased from Harry L. Hawes, #416 Main St., Springfield, Ma."

Receiver: U.S./SPRINGFIELD ARMORY/MODEL 1903.
Barrel: SA/Ordnance bomb/5-09. (B, G, 6, D, W, V, B9, X, P.)
Band: U.
Bolt: X under bolt handle.
Bayonet lug: H.
Safety lug: B on bottom.

Weapon transferred to the Museum from Major Penfield on 10 December 1910.

Notes: This weapon was tested at Rock Island Arsenal in 1908 and early 1909. The party submitting the rifle claimed "that the sights were to be illuminated in such a way that the rifle could be used practically with the same ease and rapidity on a moon light night as it could in the day time." The Ordnance people at Rock Island came to a totally different conclusion. After the first night of tests, "the results...were not at all satisfactory." The primary problem was even seeing the front sight. "In order to see the front sight at all it would be necessary to look thru the beam of light from the rear lamp. This, of course, was a physical impossibility and the front sight could not be distinguished at all."
After some adjustments, the weapon was returned for testing on February 1, 1909. The intensity of the rear light was reduced, as well as the orifice for the rear light. After four nights of testing, more improvements were recommended. It was suggested that the bulb for the rear light be green, and the intensity of the front light increased.
Test results concluded that while a very accurate line of sight could be obtained, perfect aim, however, was impossible. According to the report, "The target could be hit only by aiming in such a way as to see the front sight between the bars of the rear sight leaf, then lowering the muzzle of the gun until just before the bottom of the "V" of the rear sight was reached. This, of course, would give a very accurate line of sight. To get the elevation, the remainder of the downward motion of the rifle would have to be estimated. As soon as the front sight was in line with the bottom of the "V" of the rear sight everything was blurred and nothing could be seen distinctly." Also, "considerable difficulty was encountered in keeping the parts in working order."
The report concluded that "This or any other method of attaching an illuminating device would not be practicable for service use."

"This is a very unusual and very rare gun. It features tiny lights to illuminate the front and rear sights. They are powered by three dry cell batteries which are housed inside the butt. Wires run from this power source through the stock - terminating inside the trigger-guard cavity and also at the nose-end of the forestock. The batteries were swollen and only the outermost one was initially removed. This was accomplished by tapping the butt end repeatedly with a leather hammer until the outermost battery was eventually backed out. The next battery followed the first part-way out and then was stuck. The was confirmed by X-radiography a (see photo) which showed the innermost battery pushed fully outward by its sping. The middle battery was removed by drilling through its lead end and then grabbing it with a strong dental pick followed by long-nosed pliers. The third battery came right out." - David Arnold, NPS Conservator

President Theodore Roosevelt was given a M1903 rifle with a Neary front sight illuminating device. This rifle was threaded at the muzzle for a Maxim silencer and fitted with a Warner & Swasey musket sight. The serial number of this weapon was
LOAN HISTORY:
Army #1231 - Weapon loaned to Thaddeus Konarski, Acting Commander, Polish-American Veterans, Chicopee, Ma. from 27 June 1958 to 30 June 1958.

See, Brophy, THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLES, pp. 236, 469-473.

References:
Brophy, William S. THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLES. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 1985.
Campbell, Clark S. THE '03 ERA: WHEN SMOKELESS POWDER REVOLUTIONIZED U.S. RIFLERY. Collector Grade Publications Inc. Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. 1994.
Canfield, Bruce. A COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO THE '03 SPRINGFIELD. Andrew Mowbray. Lincoln, R.I. 1989.
Clark, David S. ARMS FOR THE NATION. Scott A. Duff. Export, Pa. 1992.