In 1898, American designers noted a number of shortcomings in the armament of US Army soldiers. The government decided to create a new, more advanced weapon. As part of its implementation, the American Springfield rifle was created on the basis of a Mauser bolt-action rifle captured from Spanish soldiers.
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 repeating rifles.
How did it all start?
Since 1816, American infantrymen have been armed with smoothbore muskets. In 1842, the development of a more advanced weapon model began at the Springfield arsenal. Serial production was launched in 1944. The products were the first American muskets in which the flintlocks were replaced with percussion caps. As a result of design improvementsit was possible to operate such weapons regardless of weather conditions.
Musket parts were interchangeable and machine-made. The barrel in this model was made thick, especially for its further cutting. 69 caliber Minier bullets were developed for firing from this weapon. After testing the rifles, the developers concluded that a larger caliber does not provide sufficient hit accuracy. It was decided to reduce the caliber "Mignet". Thus, the 1842 rifle was the last American musket to use caliber 69. In eleven years, from 1844 to 1855, the arsenal produced 275 thousand units of this weapon. The 1855 Springfield rifle was designed to fire 58 caliber (14.7mm) Minier bullets.
First American breech-loading shotguns
Springfield Rifle 1873 "Luke" was widely used in battles with the American Indians. The bolt mechanisms in this weapon opened like a hatch.
Hence the name of the rifle. The models consisted of two samples: cavalry and infantry. In one minute, no more than fifteen shots could be fired from such a weapon. 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 the Spanish-American War
The American soldiers who fought in Cuba used long-obsolete single-shot rifles of the 1873 model. The Spaniards used the German "Mauser" caliber 7 mm.
After an increased level of US infantry casu alties, the American military command in 1900 decided to urgently replace obsolete guns. The task of creating a new rifle and ammunition for it was received by the Springfield arsenal. Due to the fact that at that time American weapons designers did not have a high-quality sample that could be used as a basis for a new model, they took the captured Mauser as a basis. Since everything in the Springfield rifle of the 1903 model was copied from the German Mauser, Germany had to pay 200 thousand dollars to patent the new weapon to the United States.
Ammunition
Specially for the Springfield 1903 rifle, American gunsmiths made new cartridges that were equipped with shell blunt 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 as the US Rifle, 30 caliber, M1903.
In total, one batch of rifles was made. They were immediately handed over to the American infantry. In 1905, Theodore Roosevelt gave a personal order to replace the rifle's needle bayonet with a wedge. The weapon was returned to the factory. At this time, the Germans invented new cartridges with pointed bullets. This idea was adopted by the Americans. From oldammunition 1903 sample (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 have the bayonet replaced specifically for the new ammunition, was now also equipped with new sighting mechanisms.
Receiver device
This element of the rifle consisted of a polygonal wooden box with a U-shaped section. The handguard performed two functions:
- Protected the reloading mechanism from external mechanical impact.
- Protected the shooter from contact with the hot barrel.
In the back of the butt was equipped with a special recess for the handle. The forearm of the rifle was equipped with sling swivels, to which straps 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, the forearm was fastened and the spent cartridges were extracted. A special window was provided in the back wall of the box, through which the magazine was attached. Inside the receiver boxes were located trigger mechanisms, bolts and return springs. The shutter in the form of an elongated part was equipped with a special channel for an asymmetrical drummer. The design feature of the Springfield rifles is considered to be the interaction of bolts and return springs with the help of a lever. Especially for this, fasteners used by the reciprocating mainspring were installed in its lower part.
Description of sights
The Springfield rifle is equipped with Mauser's patented bolt action. According to shooters, it is very similar to its German counterpart. However, there were still some individual features in the American-made gun.
Initially, these guns fired blunt bullets and were equipped with sector sights. A needle bayonet was included with the Springfield rifle. In 1905, it was modernized, and the model itself underwent design changes. Factory rifles were completed with mechanical sighting mechanisms. Front sights were located in the muzzle of the weapon, and mechanical or ring sights were located in the rear.
The transition to pointed bullets led to changes in frame sights: now it consisted of two slots and a clamp containing a diopter. Due to this, the sights could be adjusted both in the vertical and in the horizontal planes. The sight allowed shooting 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 fans of firearms, due to this design feature, the rifle, unlike a product with a rotary manual bolt, has a higher rate of fire. In addition, the Sprinfield, with a total length of 1097 mm and a mass of 3.94 kg, turned out to be a fairly convenient weapon for use in narrow areas. For hand-to-hand combat, a bayonet was developed for a rifle,which is easily installed on the weapon. For its comfortable wearing, the American infantry was equipped with a special scabbard that clung to the belt.
After pressing the trigger, a 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 magazine and directed it into the chamber. The shot was fired after the drummer broke the cartridge primer. The resulting recoil rolled the bolt back to its initial position. Simultaneously with this process, the extraction of the sleeve took place. The next shot was possible after the shutter returned back and was installed behind the sear.
Modifications
Springfield rifles throughout their history have repeatedly undergone design changes, which resulted in the appearance of the following models:
- Sample 1903. They are characterized by sector sights and the use of blunt bullets.
- Sample 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 knurled screw. By rotating it, the shooter could shift the sight and aim in the vertical and horizontal planes.
- NM 1903 sporting rifle. Considered a target weapon used by the American National Rifle Association. From 1921 to 1940 nearly 29,000 units were made.
- 1929 rifle. This model is characterized by the presence of a pistol neck stock. In addition, in this "Springfield" a cylindrical front sight can be used as a protection for the front sight.
- Weapons of the 1942 model. Produced until 1945. The shape of the neck of the lodge is semi-pistol. In the manufacture of butt pads, trigger brackets, stock rings and namushniks, the stamping method was used. The barrel channel has two grooves. With the help of a diopter sight, you can shoot at a distance of up to 800 yards.
The first American sniper rifle
The 1942 Springfield M1903A4 was created by selecting the finest and most accurate M1903 rifles. This model is characterized by the complete absence of bayonet mounts and standard sighting devices: front sights and open sights. Instead, the weapon is equipped with optical sights: 2.2x M84, 2.5x M73B1, manufactured by Weaver Co. This model was in service with the US Army until 1961. The Marine Corps used the rifle as early as 1969.
Conclusion
Borrowing 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 residence of models.
