doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com M1903 Sporter - Grandpa's Rifle

Grandfather Welk (1889-1960) was USMC from 1918-1948. He was also known as a fisherman and a hunter. This rifle is among several he left to my Mother when he passed away, and it is anticipated that I will inherit it at some point in the future. The rifle is SA 1033377 which is almost certainly from USMC. The stock has been noted as being much nicer than the average sporter of the time.

I am interested in identifying the stock maker and time period if possible. I am borrowing a copy of Michael Petrov's "Gunsmiths of the 20th Century" (not here yet) and been studying this quite fascinating period on-line. The rifle is in Oregon, I am in Kansas so cannot inspect easily. Some other info on the rifle below. We have not had the rifle out of the stock so do not know if there are any maker markings

- Not known or thought to be a NM rifle
- No sign of a "*" on the crown
- No "Hatcher Hole" suggesting acquisition prior to late 1930's.

Pictures by Dad, some below (and some not so good) - lots more and higher res at Grandpa's '03 Sporter

I welcome thoughts, insight, comments and observations!

Mike McDonald
Leavenworth, KS