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View Full Version : 1903 RIA Made 1907 Absolutely gorgeous!


Smokeeaterpilot
05-08-2015, 05:59
Hey Guys,

Super excited to share this guy!

Got this relatively cheap.

A 1903 Rock Island Arsenal, the best part is it's all original. I had a few experts look it over before I "pulled the trigger" and they said most likely not a put together just a wonderful example that avoided every single arsenal rebuild program the military had to offer. How, that remains a mystery.

The stock is a RIA with NO cross bolts, 1908 marked but that's not uncommon to be a year off from the metal.

It has all the major early features,
Unmarked bolt (either on the handle or lugs)
Early small windage knob
no bolt stock (1907 or earlier)
large S on the foretip
correct dated barrel
serif permission stamp
flat top hand guard. (no groove cut out in the top)
the oiler is the early version not the later version
platinum line rear sights

Major downside it came with an original 1906 RIA sling, but it snapped in half in transit (I may sell it on e-bay to get whatever I can for that), there's dried leather fibers in the rear sling swivel screw heads LOL.

This is probably the nicest 1903 I've ever held...

Just think about this.... Same condition as left the arsenal. I'm simply amazed...

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030846%20-%20Copy_zpshomvukgo.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030846%20-%20Copy_zpshomvukgo.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030860_zpsj8t50o6n.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030860_zpsj8t50o6n.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030859_zpswt9qborg.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030859_zpswt9qborg.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030858_zps38n6ysby.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030858_zps38n6ysby.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030857_zpsa3j41xr2.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030857_zpsa3j41xr2.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030856_zpswyisn9ag.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030856_zpswyisn9ag.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030855_zpsg1q3umbu.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030855_zpsg1q3umbu.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030854_zps6ms5ua5e.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030854_zps6ms5ua5e.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030853_zpsxar8hiec.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030853_zpsxar8hiec.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030852%20-%20Copy_zpsrnf1zzbl.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030852%20-%20Copy_zpsrnf1zzbl.jpg.html)
Smokeeaterpilot
05-08-2015, 06:00
More pictures...


http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030851_zpsrburwn3w.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030851_zpsrburwn3w.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030850_zpstotwdxwp.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030850_zpstotwdxwp.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030849%20-%20Copy_zpssxc3fksi.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030849%20-%20Copy_zpssxc3fksi.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030848%20-%20Copy_zpsapboooyh.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030848%20-%20Copy_zpsapboooyh.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj530/Smokeeaterpilot/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030847%20-%20Copy_zpskrvcnygx.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/Smokeeaterpilot/media/1903%20RIA%2071117/P1030847%20-%20Copy_zpskrvcnygx.jpg.html)

Without the help of some of the people on these forums I never would have had the confidence to make such a purchase....
Shooter5
05-08-2015, 06:02
WoW! Nice!
Rick the Librarian
05-08-2015, 06:02
A real beauty and a worthy twin to RIA #16093, which I picked up awhile back:

http://www.fototime.com/A5FB267DBDB82ED/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/A77BE4A44D10D49/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/25BF5DD2DF3A917/standard.jpg
Smokeeaterpilot
05-08-2015, 06:06
A real beauty and a worthy twin to RIA #16093, which I picked up awhile back:

http://www.fototime.com/A5FB267DBDB82ED/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/A77BE4A44D10D49/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/25BF5DD2DF3A917/standard.jpg

That is a real beauty! Rick, I LOVE the RIA inspector stamp!

Rick, you and John Beard are who took my love of 1903s from a candlelight and poured kerosene on it. I am still in your guys debt for "showing me the light" of 1903s especially Low numbers!
Rick the Librarian
05-08-2015, 07:35
If WE'RE going to be addicted to '03s, YOU are, too!! LOL!!
Smokeeaterpilot
05-08-2015, 09:21
If WE'RE going to be addicted to '03s, YOU are, too!! LOL!!

And it's an addiction I'm proud to have, without you guys it's one I wouldn't appreciate nearly as much haha so THANK YOU!!!
1563621
05-09-2015, 04:40
Nice pick up!!!
bruce
05-09-2015, 06:36
Very beautiful rifle. Hard to believe that this was once considered the appropriate standard of production for a combat weapon. Thank you for the post and pictures. Sincerely. bruce.
Fred
05-09-2015, 09:43
Woweewoweewowowow!
mhb
05-09-2015, 06:43
I have been amazed by the apparent survival rate of early RIA 1903 rifles in as-issued condition (and extremely well-preserved!).
I mentioned in an previous discussion of early RIA M1907 slings that I had acquired such a rifle, and promised to post photos (the sling was pictured in the original discussion).
So...:

3080630807308083080930810

More to come, if I can figure out how to manage the previously uploaded photos and upload more.

mhb - Mike
mhb
05-09-2015, 07:56
3081930820308213082230823

mhb - Mike
mhb
05-09-2015, 08:04
ATTACH=CONFIG]30830[/ATTACH]308313083230833

I apologize for the quality of the photos, and the difficulties in getting them posted. And I realized in the process that I forgot to get a photo of the 'S' on the foreend tip, but it is there.
Any ideas on the brass tab on the butt?

mhb - Mike
Smokeeaterpilot
05-09-2015, 08:19
Mike,

Absolutely amazing. Yours has a deeper redish color in the stock which is just so rich and beautiful

The marking on top of the buttstock is that an armory rack number tag? Very classy!!
mhb
05-09-2015, 08:34
Thank you - I think yours is in nicer condition, overall.
No idea what the information on the tag really means, but would certainly like to know.

mhb - Mike
Fred
05-09-2015, 09:18
Early rifles are indeed very desirable! Great pictures everyone! Smoke, that early pull through and brush are fantastic finds. Were they in the stock of the rifle when you got it?
Smokeeaterpilot
05-09-2015, 09:22
Early rifles are indeed very desirable! Great pictures everyone! Smoke, that early pull through and brush are fantastic finds. Were they in the stock of the rifle when you got it?

Yeah came with a 1906 RIA strap too but it snapped in half in transit.....
Fred
05-09-2015, 10:36
I've got one of those in the butt of my Rod Bayonet 03. They're pretty neat.
That's quite a rifle you found. A real Prize!
Smokeeaterpilot
05-10-2015, 06:30
Mike, but yours looks to have honest wear without being damaged I dunno. Mine looks as though it was forgotten a out on some storage cache.

Yours looks at though it may have been lightly used but still in beautiful condition. Truly amazing thanks for sharimg. Love the buttstock tag, whatever it was for.
RCS
05-10-2015, 07:40
I have posted these photos before of my Rock Island 1903 serial number 64145 with a barrel date
of RIA 3-07 (exc bore too). Single bolt Rock Island stock3084330844308453084630847
RCS
05-10-2015, 08:08
Ed Byrns was able to tell me that the butt plate markings on this early Springfield 1903 were
as follows:

Troop H

8th Cavalry

Trooper #18


Troop H was in the Mexican Expedition in 19163084930850
Liam
05-10-2015, 08:12
30852
Rick the Librarian
05-10-2015, 09:57
30852

Yep, that's me!! LOL!
mhb
05-10-2015, 03:37
(unit identification markings) as a possibility, but don't know how to verify the assumption, or positively identify the unit involved. It would be helpful to know that such markings were SOP with cavalry or other units at the time, and whether they were unique, or might be confused with other types of unit with similar numbers and company/troop letters. I've seen other, similar stamped markings on buttplates, but don't remember any brass tab of this type.
I'd really like to believe that this rifle was issued to the 3rd Cavalry's 'E' Troop, since they were once active here in Arizona. It appears, though, that at the time of original issue, the 3rd would likely have been in the P.I.. The Regiment was later stationed in Texas in the period before the Great War, and participated in the Mexican Border actions.
Appreciate the information!

mhb - Mike


Ed Byrns was able to tell me that the butt plate markings on this early Springfield 1903 were
as follows:

Troop H

8th Cavalry

Trooper #18


Troop H was in the Mexican Expedition in 19163084930850