1903 Springfield Pen

[Mark Hubbs]

I turned a fountain pen today from some special walnut. I cut a stock for a US Model 1903 Springfield Rifle into pen blanks. (Don't worry the stock was not usable or restorable for use on a rifle.) The stock yeilded enough for about 12 or 13 pens. The rest will go for Freedom pens. Each of the pens will include a card with picture of the rifle and this note:

"This pen was made from black walnut salvaged from the stock of a Model 1903 Springfield Rifle that was carried by one of your US Army, Marine or Navy forbearers. The 1903 in .30-06 caliber, served the US military from 1903 to 1945."

Also have some blanks made from M1 Garand and Thompson Submachine gun stocks.

Pardon my photography. The finish on the pen is actually quite nice regardless of how it looks in the pic!:(

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great looking pen from some good stock. I really like how walnut turns. Finish looks good to me. Nice job.

[Bonnie Campbell]

Cool! Nice when you can add some history to a turning :)

[Ed Snyder]

Why don't you usa a 30-06 cartridge on thelower half . The wood would streach further .

Ed

[Mark Hubbs]

Ed,

I've thought of that also, just not sure how to make it work length wise. A .308 case is closer to the right length, but of course was not the cartridge used in the Model 1903. Now if I get my hands on a M14 stock the .308 would be just the ticket!

[Curt Fuller]

That's a beautiful pen and a great idea.

[Bobby Perry]

Mark just order some longer tubes then press the transmission in just a little farther to make up for the extra lenth. Woodturningz has the longer tubes. Just look in a PSI catalog to get the number for them.

[Tom Sherman]

Mark that's a nice touch, interesting story behind it great job.

[Carl Eyman]

I believe that pen would keep wanting to go up and rest on my right shoulder which still has a groove in it worn by a walnut stock of a '03. It was easier to cary than the British Enfield, though.

[Keith Burns]

Great pen, great history, great cause !!