In 1898, American designers noted a number of shortcomings in the arming of US Army soldiers. The government decided to create a new, more advanced weapon. As part of its implementation, an American Springfield rifle was created on the basis of a storefront seized from Spanish soldiers using a longitudinally-sliding bolt of the Mauser rifle.
June 19, 1903 was the official date of its adoption by the army. Already during the Second World War, American infantrymen used the Springfield M1903 store rifles.
How it all began?
Since 1816, the American infantry were armed with smoothbore muskets. In 1842, the development of a more advanced weapon model began in the Springfield arsenal. Serial production was established in 1944. The products were the first American muskets in which silicon locks were replaced with capsule ones. As a result of design improvements to operate such a weapon could be regardless of weather conditions.
Musket parts were interchangeable and produced by machine. The barrel in this model was made thick, especially for its further cutting. 69 mm caliber bullets were developed for firing from this weapon. After testing the rifles, the developers concluded that a larger caliber does not provide sufficient accuracy for the hits. It was decided to reduce the caliber "Mignier". Thus, the 1842 rifle was the last American musket using the caliber 69. For eleven years, from 1844 to 1855, the arsenal produced 275 thousand units of this weapon. The Springfield 1855 rifle was developed for firing with Mignier bullets of caliber 58 (14.7 mm).
The first American breech-loading rifles
Springfield rifle 1873 The Luke was widely used in battles with the American Indians. The shutter mechanisms in this weapon opened like a hatch.
Hence the name of the rifle. The models were two samples: cavalry and infantry. In one minute no more than fifteen shots could be fired from such weapons. The fired bullet had a speed of up to 410 m / s. The Springfield 1873 rifles were operated by the US Army until 1992.
New Rifle for US-Spanish War
American soldiers who fought in Cuba used long-obsolete single-shot rifles of the 1873 model. The Spaniards used the German "Mausers" of 7 mm caliber.
After the increased level of US infantry losses by the US military command in 1900, it was decided to urgently replace obsolete rifles. The task of creating a new rifle and ammunition was received by Springfield Arsenal. Due to the fact that at that time the American weapons designers did not have a high-quality model that could be used as a base for the new model, they took the captured Mauser as a basis. Since everything was copied from the German Mauser in the Springfield rifle of the 1903 model, in order to patent the new US weapons, Germany had to pay $ 200,000.
Ammunition
Especially for the Springfield 1903 rifle, American gunsmiths made new cartridges that were equipped with shell blunt-pointed bullets weighing 14.2 grams. The long sleeve was bottle-shaped and did not contain a welt. Compared to the Krag-Jorgensen rifles, the bullet fired from the Springfield rifle had an increased speed of 670 m / s. Despite the fact that this gun is a copy of the Mauser, the American version was adopted by the US Rifle, 30 caliber, M1903.
In total, one batch of rifles was made. They were immediately transferred to the American infantry. In 1905, Theodore Roosevelt gave a personal order to replace the needle bayonet of a rifle with a wedge. The weapon was returned back to the factory. At this time, the Germans invented new bullets with pointed bullets. This idea was adopted by the Americans. The old ammunition of 1903 model (30-03) had to be abandoned. The bullet of the new ammunition of 1906 (30-06) weighed only 9.6 grams, but developed a very high speed (880 m / s). The rifle, returned to the manufacturer to replace the bayonet specifically for the new ammunition, was now also equipped with new sighting mechanisms.
The device of the receiver
This element of the rifle consisted of a polygonal wooden box having a U-shaped section. The fore-end performed two functions:
- Protected the recharge mechanism from external mechanical stress.
- Protected the shooter from contact with the hot barrel.
In the back of the butt was equipped with a special recess under the handle. The forearm of the rifle was equipped with swivels, to which belts were attached.
The barrel was mounted on mounts located on the front wall. There was also a handle for reloading. In this part of the rifle, forend fasteners and extraction of the fired shells were carried out. A special window was provided in the rear wall of the box through which the store joined. Inside the receiver were firing mechanisms, bolts and return springs. The bolt in the form of an elongated part was equipped with a special channel for an asymmetric striker. The design feature of the Springfield rifles is the interaction of the bolts and the return springs with the lever. Especially for this, fastenings used by the return-fighting spring were installed in its lower part.
Description of sights
The Springfield rifle is equipped with a Mauser patented longitudinally-sliding butterfly valve. According to the shooters, it is very similar to its German counterpart. However, nevertheless, some individual features were present in the American-made gun.
Initially, these guns fired with blunt-pointed bullets and were equipped with sector sights. A spring bayonet was included in the kit for the Springfield rifle. In 1905, it was modernized, and the model itself underwent design changes. Factory rifles were equipped with mechanical sighting mechanisms. In the muzzle of the weapon flies were located, and in the back - mechanical or ring sights.
The transition to pointed bullets entailed a change in the frame sights: now it consisted of two slots and a collar containing a diopter. Due to this, the sights could be adjusted both in the vertical and horizontal planes. The sight allowed firing at a distance of no more than 2700 yards.
How did Springfield work?
The rifle, unlike modern models, fired with the shutter open. According to reviews of fans of firearms, due to this design feature, the rifle, in contrast to the product with a rotary manual shutter, has a higher rate of fire. In addition, the Springfield, with a total length of 1097 mm and a mass of 3.94 kg, turned out to be quite a convenient weapon for use in a narrow area. For hand-to-hand combat, a bayonet was developed for the rifle, which was easily mounted on weapons. For its comfortable wearing, the American infantry was equipped with special sheaths that clung to the belt.
After pressing the trigger, the special lever located behind the sear and holding the return spring began to be released. Then the spring, acting on the lever, set the shutter in motion. Moving to the extreme position, he grabbed ammunition from the store and sent it to the chamber. The shot was carried out after the drummer smashed the cartridge capsule. The resulting recoil rolled back the shutter to its initial position. Simultaneously with this process, the extraction of the sleeve took place. The next shot was possible after the shutter came back and was installed behind the sear.
Modifications
Springfield rifles in their history have repeatedly undergone design changes, which resulted in the appearance of the following models:
- Sample of 1903. Sector sights and the use of blunt-pointed bullets are characteristic of them.
- Sample of 1906. The rifle is characterized by the presence of a modified form of the chamber and a new frame sight. The latter was equipped with a special notched head screw. By rotating it, the shooter could shift the sight and aim in the vertical and horizontal planes.
- 1903 NM Sports Rifle It is considered the target weapon used by the American National Rifle Association. From 1921 to 1940 almost 29 thousand units were manufactured.
- Rifle 1929 release. This model is characterized by the presence of a pistol neck of a box. In addition, in this "Springfield" as a protection for the front sight can be used a cylindrical namushnik.
- Weapons of the 1942 model. It was made until 1945. The shape of the neck of the box is semi-pistol. In the manufacture of recovers, staples, hooks, grommets and head rings, the stamping method was used. The barrel channel has two grooves. Using a diopter sight, you can shoot at distances up to 800 yards.
The first American sniper rifle
The Springfield M1903A4 of 1942 was created by selecting the best and most accurate M1903 rifles. This model is characterized by the complete absence of mounts for the bayonet and standard sights: flies and open sights. Instead, the weapon is equipped with optical sights: 2.2-fold M84, 2.5-fold M73B1, issued by Weaver Co. This model was listed in the arsenal of the American army until 1961. The Marine Corps also used a rifle in 1969.
Conclusion
Having borrowed the idea of the German "Mauser", the Americans created their very high-quality weapons, which were used in the First and Second World Wars. Springfield rifles have a rich history. At one time, weapons were produced in huge quantities. Today, museums and private collections have become the model's place of residence.