2013 WAC gun show RIA M1903 display

[Rick the Librarian]

Just got back from the October, 2013 Washington Arms Collectors big show in Puyallup, WA. My friend Kent Allen, and I displayed nine Rock Island (or derivative) M1903 rifles. We didn't place but had a good time chatting with passers-by and the display got a lot of attention.

Here were the rifles we displayed:

1) RIA 16,093 (mine) - a 1906 modification rifle

2) RIA 155,423 (Kent's) a mostly correct early RIA with a 10-09 barrel.

3) RIA 264,721 (Kent's) - blued finish, 2-bolt stock

4) RIA 272,505 (mine) - possibly finished at SA - 1-18 RIA barrel

5) RIA 374,520 (Kent's) - WWII replacement bbl. NS RIA bolt

6) RIA 413,950 (Kent's but used to be mine) - 5-29 SA bbl. SA/SPG stock with RI

7) RIA 1,293,257 (mine) one of the rare RIAs with a "high" SA number.

8) SA 1,294,444 (mine) - mostly Springfield parts but a RIA receiver.

9) Remington 3,003,256 - example of an early Remington M1903 which was made with leased RIA machinery in 1941.

In addition, we had a RIA bayonet and pictures of RIA-made leather goods (belt, pouches, slings, etc., many of which were sent in by some very nice and helpful people! Thanks!


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[Fred]

Wow, that surely was a fantastic display Rick! I wish I could've seen it up close!

[Rotor]

I wish they did those types of displays around here.

beautiful.

[Oyaji]

Great display, Rick. Thanks for the report.

[DWL in TN]

Sorry you didn't place.......got any pictures of the 1st place winner?

(How many people tried to buy them from you?? :))

[Rick the Librarian]

They're extremely fussy about taking pictures, especially of other people's displays. There were several categories, ours was military - there was handguns, long guns and one other I forget. My favorite display (that I wish I could have taken a picture) was "The guns of Sherlock Holmes". The contestants had a backdrop looking like a Victorian house with about a half-dozen 19th century British pistols. There was a man and his cute-as-a button 18-year old daughter dressed in Victorian clothes. A very clever display, in my opinion.

The October show is our "big" show and they allow displays for free.

[rebound]

Very good job on the display Rick..
Thanks for showing us...

[Emri]

Very nice Rick, wish I could have seen it in person also. Do I recognize one of the pictures you have by the rifles ? If you didn't live on the other side of the world, I would have given you mine. (to use on the display, NOT forever !!)

[Rick the Librarian]

Yes, I used one of the pictures you sent - and acknowledged your "donation" in its' caption. Thanks again!

[Dan Shapiro]

Rick, GREAT job!

[Doug Douglass]

Looks great....To bad you are on the left coast your display would be great here. Here in Knoxville our club, the Smokie Mountain Gun Collectors Association puts on two gun shows a year with many display only tables. One member must own two houses, one to live in and one for his "stuff". Once he displayed many dozens of French pin fire revolvers the most complicated firearms I've ever seen. Leave it to the French. Others display Lugers to Colts to Winchesters. I stick to US firearms and associated WWi and II militeria, like yours.

[wsfbernie]

I saw that display and was suitably impressed. It is always educational to see the REAL thing. Surprisingly, the history of RIA
is not that well known when it comes to the M1903.

[Rick the Librarian]

It was great talking with you, Bernie - thanks for stopping by!