[Twicepop]

Precision shooting had a story several years back about one particular Springfield 03A3 rifle that surfaced from someones private collection. I don't recall who the owner was now, but the serial number of the rifle said it was made in the late 1930s, and all indications were this rifle was determined to be unfired as well. The tests were conducted after someone had tried to chamber a 30-06 cartridge in the gun and the bolt lacked about 1/2 inch of closing each time it was tried. First a bore scope was put down the barrel and it determined that the rifle had never been fired as no traces of copper or carbon were detected in the bore or the lead. A chamber cast was done after that and all of the dimensions were that of a 308 and not a 30-06. No paper work to verify the authenticity of the gun could be found, but the serial number was correct for the time period, as well as having all the correct arsenal proof marks and inspectors stamps. It's not likely this could be one of these odd-ball rifles, but it's also not out of the realm of possibilities that a few unfired Springfield rifles are still out there somewhere as this one was determined to be.

those who beat their guns into plowshares, will plow for those who didn't