I watched a little of the Bush Funeral. Can anyone tell me why the Model '03 was chosen/designated as the "parade" weapon? Why not the the M1, or the M16? Or the Model 1892 or 1873 for that matter.

good question .. would think the m1 would have been used... even tho 03 was ww2 issue. think most 21 gun slalutes are done with 03 . i know thats what the legion and vfw use here.. i bet there is some modern weapons behind the scenes with all the dignitaries there. wonder what he was issued as survival weapon when pilot??

Seems like I remember reading about the feel and balance of the '03 being the reason?
Might spin or twirl better.

The Old Guard (tomb of the unknown) uses the M14.

I can't tell you why

but i would have expected the M1 or M14

03 were being retired while the M1 was still in service for many years

you need a blank adapter and gas pressure to cycle an M1 or M14 or even an M16

I have seen all of them used the American legion in my home town used M1 as did the legion in my current town.

however so many vets are getting so old a few march but most ride on the trailer with flags and chairs that at the 2018 memorial day ceremonies the Sheriffs department handled the 21 gun salute and used chromed 870 shotguns with 12ga blanks.

often the american legion would not run blank adapters and hand cycle their M1 rifles

I have seen am M1 jam up on a blank when it is the small town memorial day you see him try an clear it then he just shoulders his rifle and waits for the others to finish with out him , on national tv not necessarily a chance you want to take

the 03 doesn't a cycling issue because the user cycles and it is controlled round feed magazine.

I believe i
The manual of arms for a bolt action '03 has more counts, looks better, sounds better and is more difficult to do with precision than a semi auto such as the M1.

I just read it's due to it's ideal weight, sound and balance.