30-03

[Argonaut]

I have a (one) commercial loaded cartridge ( at least I don't thing it is military) and the head stamp is WRA-Co 30G 1903.   the bullet is round nosed and cupro nickle? (is is silver in color)  It is a rimless case and is not a 30 40 krag.  It would seem to me that I have a 30-03 that was the original chambering of the 1903 springfield rifle.  I have never seen one before, Anyone have any idea how rare it is?

[deltecs]

The headstamp WRA is Winchester Repeating Arms manufacture.  The 30G 1903 stands for .30 caliber Government 1903 version.  This is the original forerunner to the 30-06 Government cartridge adopted by the military in 1906.  It is very similar in appearance to the 30-06 case but definitely not interchangable in the 03 Springfield rifle.  I do not know just what value this case has on the market, but I would not sell it or throw it away.  I do not know if Winchester ever manufactured this case for the American market and it may have been made for the government during the test period before revision to the 06 round.  I have seen a few 30-03 chambered rifles in public use, so Winchester may have made a commercial run of this case and this may be one.  Nice for a collector.