The danged things are like eating popcorn ...

[Rick the Librarian]

...you just can't stop! :(

I had laboriously been saving my "gun money" for a couple of things I didn't have in my collection. When what comes along but ANOTHER low numbered M1903!! It was on AuctionArms and I made an offer, thinking it wouldn't be accepted, but it WAS!!

The latest acquisition is another NRA Sales rifle on the lower end of the breed, #477,141, with a 8-11 barrel and completely original. The stock has a couple of deep dings but the grain is a beautiful quarter-sawn piece of walnut. A nice, deep JFC inspection stamp on a one-bolt stock.

The bolt has a small "S" and the upper band, the H stamp. The upper band and muzzle are the only parts that show appreciable wear. The muzzle is a 2.5 and the TE a shade over 1; the bore shows the rifle has seen some use but still is in excellent condition.

I've often compared low numbered, original M1903s to your older brother's '65 Mustang; we'll I'm getting a whole corral-full of the little darlings!! :D

http://www.fototime.com/287DFBB5B4134E7/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/C7541FC0BF4A6B9/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/E962BAF13E9F292/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/22EA8F1A8D55311/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/CA779D6D2BACB6A/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/EB3C28804E69361/standard.jpg

On the barrel, I was hoping for a 6-11, the month and year my dad was born; I have another M1903 with a 7-13 barrel, the month/year my mother was born.

[Rick the Librarian]

A few more:

http://www.fototime.com/B179C95A682E285/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/AFE4AC70413590D/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/9A17721397919CE/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/4CD80F84F97E966/standard.jpg

[Rick the Librarian]

...and here's the whole "kit and caboodle":

From top to bottom:

1) SA 78180 - SA 1-08 bbl. no-bolt WES stock

2) SA 230477 - 5-08 bbl. one-bolt BHM stock

3) SA 477141 - 8-11 SA bbl. one-bolt JFC stock - NRA Sales

4) SA 554131 - 7-13 bbl. one bolt JFC stock - prob. NRA Sales

5) SA 605178 - 5-15 bbl. one-bolt JSA stock - National Match

6) SA 620611 - 12-15 bbl. one-bolt JSA stock - NRA Sales

http://www.fototime.com/3F711A9804B8C63/standard.jpg

[Rick the Librarian]

Can't forget the Rock Islands ...

Top to bottom:

1) RIA 16,093 - 6-05 RIA bbl. CN/1908 no-bolt stock

2) RIA 126,399 - 3-09 RIA bbl. one bolt BAWL-marked stock

3) RIA 272,505 - 7-18 RIA bbl. POD/BAWL marked 2-bolt stock

http://www.fototime.com/39231DBAEB882AF/standard.jpg

[Rick the Librarian]

One final picture of the whole bunch:

http://www.fototime.com/CF742D7694EC6C3/standard.jpg

[ebeeby]

You definitely have the disease....

Nice rifle and nice add to a great collection - congrats!

Remember, women can count drinks but they can't count guns.

[Ltdave]

and here ive been looking for a clean representative of an '03 at a reasonable price for a few years...

YOUVE got them all!

nice brood....

[CPC]

very nice Rick... those early rifles are great!

[jeffj]

That gun is drop dead gorgeous!

[Fred]

Way to go Rick! I can see why you wanted it.

[PeteDavis]

Sweet.

[RCK]

Rick, that is one nice rifle. I tend to have the same disease but for the M1922 series of trainers!

[Jan'42]

Rick,

I think you know my story with M1903's, and I like you am a low number freak - I don't shoot them, so I don't care about the potential brittle factor - I can buy a Rem 03 or god forbid, an 03A3 if I wish to shoot one.

I had a hiatus from M1903's for a while - simply because I could not find anything here worth having! Now, they are appearing again here (see my RIA 1913 for instance), but still not frequently, or usually in decent shape - 90% of the 03's/03A3's here are ex-ARVN, being imported direct from Viet Nam in the 1980's here ( as are most M1917's) by the same company that now makes rifles in Viet Nam (Australian International Arms - AIA - modernised Lee Enfields made in Viet Nam using new receivers and mostly ex-US 30 cal MG barrels left behind :) )

NOTHING beats an early M1903 for sheer looks, sleekness of actions and grace. When I saw my RIA still had the original checkered buttplate and platinum wire insert rear sight and the CN 1913 cartouche, I got a shiver up my spine... I was in heaven! I get to pick it up next week, and I have to make a 5 hour trip to get it... I am eager as heck to get on the road! :)

Beautiful rifles Rick. Simply beautiful.

[Rick the Librarian]

I know how you feel (obviously!). A nice, original low numbered M1903 is a virtually work of art in my book. I don't shoot them, either, but they are often taken out and petted and admired at frequent intervals! :D

One of the other rifles I admire is the No. 1 Mk. III. While it lacks the fine lines of the early M1903, I've always admired the "bulldog" looks and know that it and the M1903 shared many a battlefield together. I have two of them, plus a No. 4 Mk. I, and a Lithgow, which now resides with my stepson, whom I presented it to upon the birth of my grandson ten years ago.

[Fred]

I looked the rifle up on the site and saw that even though the photos of it weren't that good, a person knowledgeable about 03's would've immediately seen it was all correct and in fantastic condition. There must not be that many guys out there who were looking in the right places, had the knowledge to recognize what it was and also had the ready cash to spend on it. Apparently you were the only person who met all three requirements Rick. Been there and done that before. That rifle is easily worth twice that and more. If you had Not bought it, you would've been very upset with yourself Rick. You correctly assessed that its better to use your money getting what you want than to see it gradualy spent on various other things over time that you can't keep track of. Way To Go Rick! You deserve it and More!!!

[rayg]

A beauty Rick! Also same for all the other ones you have. Like you, I love the early ones and also the Mark III Enfield's, Ray

[dokcop]

Hi Rick. Lovely collection. One question from this novice: How can you identify a circa 1915 gun as a National Match rifle? Were you lucky enough to get the provenance with it, or is there a source: e.g., SRS, for this info? I have a personal motive for the question - an 1915 "SS" gun with the gauge card. Love to know if it is also a NM rifle… Regards Dokcop

[glockshot]

Thats a beauty...Nice find...

[Rick the Librarian]

My 1915 NM has a polished bolt and raceway, as well as "rib" on the follower. I had bought it as a nice 1915 service rifle and John Beard pointed out the fact it was a NM. SRS has very few (if any) pre-WWI NM or Sales rifles listed. It does lack the "star" on the muzzle and the etched serial number. It is without doubt the most valuable rifle I own. A few pictures of the NM below:

http://www.fototime.com/E4D4648C27042E7/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/B126ACD803FFDCE/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/17631AB5B5D4733/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/DC7F2BF194126C2/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/C789ADEEBA9AEFD/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/E7F33D48A884379/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/D33962722AA68D1/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/9A1268B2FAB5C68/standard.jpg

[dokcop]

Rick: Thanks for the info and pictures. What a lovely rifle. I do love those prewar guns. Unfortunately my 1915 gun lacks the polished rails and ribbed follower, darn it. Dokcop

[sdkrag]

Rick, Could you elaborate on the "rib" on the follower?

[Rick the Librarian]

The rib on the follower is polished - not the whole follower, just the rib itself.

[Fred]

The top part of the follower that makes contact with the bolt in its travel.