M1903 Springfield rifle facts for kids

The M1903 Springfield rifle was a bolt-action rifle used by the Military of the United States during both World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the early part of the Vietnam War.

The Springfield was based on the German G98 Mauser rifle. It holds up to five .30-06 Springfield bullets.

It was the US's main rifle during World War I. In 1936, it was replaced by the M1 Garand, a semi-automatic rifle. This was because semi-automatic rifles could fire bullets more quickly than bolt-action rifles. This was important because in World War I much of the fighting took place in trenches. In tight spaces like those in trench warfare, it is very important to be able to shoot quickly, and semi-automatic firearms do a better job at that than bolt-action rifles. However, it was still commonly used during World War II, and it became the main sniper rifle for the US. It was the main sniper rifle of the US until the early part of the Vietnam War.

Images for kids

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  M1903 Springfield with loading clips

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  US Marines with M1903 rifles and bayonets in France, 1918

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  The Pedersen device allowed bolt action M1903 Mark I rifles with a left side ejection port under the magazine to fire .30 caliber pistol-grade cartridges in a semi-automatic fire mode. The ejection port is not visible in this right-side view.

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  Camouflaged M1903 Springfield sniper's rifle with Warner & Swasey telescopic sight in France, May 1918

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  M1903 Springfield with 8x Unertl scope used during a vintage sniper rifle match in 2012.

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  Diagram of the .30 Springfield rifle

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  M1903

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  M1903 with 'scant' stock

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  Springfield M1903A1

See also

In Spanish: Springfield M1903 para niños