Test post of high pictle photo...

[Fred]

Here are some great photos of a virtually uncirculated WWI 1903 to test how my high detailed downloading went. I've made the pixel count in the photos as high as possible with what I've got, so they ought to be really detailed.
The 03 was made in mid 1918 and the bayonet was made in 1909. When I got the bayonet, it was covered in gold paint. I washed the paint off with acetone and a soft tooth brush. Upon revealing the blade, I could see that it was originally bright. Somebody had painted it long ago for some reason. The formerly bright blade has a darkened color that could be cleaned off easily enough with blue remover I think. The metal of the blade is absolutely smooth like glass and is not pitted or worn in any way. It is untouched other than the darkened metal which is absolutely without any corrosion or rough spots. Could this bayonet be one of those that was blued by the Marines that Steve Norton told me about? Anyone have an idea? It's a really thin and kind of a see through darkening. I don't know if it was meant to be a dark finish or if the dark metal on the blade is a result of the gold paint that was covering it. The grips are of the older type that had the higher count of milling grooves in them. These have never been replaced with the later types and have remained in Mint condition too. The 1910 scabbard I bought some time ago and other than what looks like a pencil marking on it, it too is mint. I just thought that a mint 1903 and a mint bayonet and scabbard were worthy of some photos in highest detail. Lets see how they turned out!...

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2043_zpsw4yqu4ng.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2043_zpsw4yqu4ng.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2042%20-%20Copy_zps3xnnh7oo.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2042%20-%20Copy_zps3xnnh7oo.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2045%20-%20Copy_zpsbkz7wrwk.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2045%20-%20Copy_zpsbkz7wrwk.jpg.html)



http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2081_zpsaenuxlf6.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2081_zpsaenuxlf6.jpg.html)


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2078_zps44fppvel.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2078_zps44fppvel.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2082_zpsm3t2ibea.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2082_zpsm3t2ibea.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2076_zpsyjqhbmkk.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2076_zpsyjqhbmkk.jpg.html)

[Fred]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2076_zpsyjqhbmkk.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2076_zpsyjqhbmkk.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2061_zpsxucynccw.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2061_zpsxucynccw.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2063_zpspurml0se.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2063_zpspurml0se.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2048_zpstwow0ta4.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2048_zpstwow0ta4.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2073_zpsxogiqtwa.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2073_zpsxogiqtwa.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2047_zpsiwr9cyht.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2047_zpsiwr9cyht.jpg.html)

[John Beard]

Fred,

Do you still have that rifle? As I recall, you parted with a 1918 rifle not long ago.

J.B.

p.s.,

Super nice pictures! Thanks for sharing!

[Fred]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2081_zpszelzn5yt.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2081_zpszelzn5yt.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2082_zps53uenzh7.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2082_zps53uenzh7.jpg.html)

[Fred]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2055_zpswgca0ccu.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2055_zpswgca0ccu.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2054_zpsq5ykc9jf.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2054_zpsq5ykc9jf.jpg.html)

[Fred]

Fred,

Do you still have that rifle? As I recall, you parted with a 1918 rifle not long ago.

J.B.

p.s.,

Super nice pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks JB. I'm glad that you like the photo's. No, this 1903 is not the same one that I sold. That one had a blonde stock. I still have this rifle. It's in a Lot better condition than the other one which in itself was a pretty nice one. I don't think that this rifle has really been handled a lot.

[PhillipM]

I thought all the bright bayonets were recalled to be darkened for WW1, not just USMC. I can't remember where I read that and it bothers me because usually when I recall something without documenting it, I'm wrong. In other words, I don't trust my memory.

[Fred]

Obviously from the many bright bayonets out in the collectors world, not all of the bayonets were recalled for refinishing. Many were darkened, but I don't know the percentage. Steve Norton said that the marines darkened a batch of the bright bayonets for themselves to be used by them. Springfield Armory might've been the ones to darken most of the others or it might've been done by a contractor. I don't know. However not all were darkened. I know of a fellow named Jim DeArmond who had one on the end of his Garand in Vietnam (yep, Garands AND bright bladed 1905 bayonets) which he ran an enemy combatant through from behind in the dark. Neat story in its detail.

[PhillipM]

That would be a good Vietnam story!

I am lucky to have found a 1906 dated 1905 that is still bright. I'm far, far from an expert on these but when i posted it on a Facebook group, one gentleman said it's times more likely to find a WWI dated bayonet than my bright 1905. I guess its rare because it was never darkened and because it wasn't shortened.

My favorite is a Greek CMP purchased one, an RIA 1909 cut down with a bowie, or beak point. Jim Bowie lived not far from me at one time, so I guess I'm sentimental to it for that. It's my favorite back scratcher.

[Fred]

Jim, who was a young man then, was down inside of a deep dug out hole or trench with his back to a dirt wall during a night attack by the enemy who had penetrated the American perimeter. With his back pressed against the dirt wall in the dark, Jim said that while there, he became aware that someone was standing at the edge of the hole directly above him when some dirt fell down from above and into his collar. A moment later, an enemy soldier jumped into the hole from above him and landed on his feet in front of jim with his back to Jim. Jim said that the soldier stood listening and I guess waiting for his eyes to adjust in the dark. Not being aware of Jim's presence, Jim said that the soldier stepped forward a bit which allowed Jim to bring the point of his bayonet to bare on the other fellows back and Jim said he thrust the 16" bright bayonet blade into and through him just as hard as he could.

[Major Tom]

RE: Jim's bayonet, now there's one to own. Hope he still has it.

[Fred]

Oh I imagine that the bayonet and the Garand are still there somewhere, along with all of the other assortment of stuff that GI's were able to get their hands on.

[Fred]

Ooops! I'd accidently posted a close up photo of the left side inspectors stamp from another 1903 that I have. Here is the left side of the wrist of the Minty rifle...

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2089_zpsq2ewrr1o.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2089_zpsq2ewrr1o.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2090_zpsrzwgbhfy.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2090_zpsrzwgbhfy.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2092_zpssux2xz4e.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2092_zpssux2xz4e.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2091_zpsjihxbsuq.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2091_zpsjihxbsuq.jpg.html)

[Promo]

Hey Fred, you have quite small cows there in the first picture .. :1948: . But nice looking rifles!

[Fred]

LOL. Those two Collies are White Rough Collies. The Collie on the left is all white except for a trace of tan on one hip and a dark face. We have four Rough Collies now and are going to get at least one more and maybe two. A Blue Merle and a Dark Sable. The other two are a Blonde Sable and a Tri Color. They're really neat dogs to have around on our horse ranch.
How's your Rod Bayonet 1903 coming along Georg?

[Promo]

Hey Fred, was just doing jokes. They just have had the same colour as some cows have :) .

Nothing much as of yet, still nothing in my hands. But will let you know when I do!

[joem]

Great pics and super nice rifle. Wish it was mine!!!!

[Fred]

Hey Fred, was just doing jokes. They just have had the same colour as some cows have :) .

Nothing much as of yet, still nothing in my hands. But will let you know when I do!


Oh I knew you were joking Georg. I was just telling you what kind of dog they were. It's kind of unusual to see White rough collies anymore. These two are much bigger than our other two Collies, but they're still pups! Several of our horses have the same color and pattern. Indian Paint is what I call them. Unusual pattern in Tennessee Walkers, which all of our horses are.
I think that you ought to have bought that RB 03 that went for so little on the Rock Island Auction. $4,500.00 and it had Every important and difficult to find RB part on it except for a solid rear band, which can be made out of a split type if one wanted to do so. Original 30-03 chambered barrels and Front bands and Bayonet Locking Latches are as tough to find as an honest politician. I had to make my own leaf spring for my latch that luckily I was able to do Exactly as an original in every detail because there was a life sized schematic drawing of one in my copy of the original 1904 manual. I decided to make an early butt plate with its smaller trap opening and door from a Really nice and unworn Krag butt plate which I obtained from John Beard. I still haven't emplaced the single clip yet in the hand guard, but I'm going to tackle that one of these days. I've got both a small and a large clip from a Krag hand guard and the smaller one is the correct size for the RB 03. I just can't find my notes on precisely where to inlet the outside to inside angled rivet holes in the hand guard that I had. I only get one chance at it. Can't make a mistake.
Good luck with your project Georg!

[Fred]

Great pics and super nice rifle. Wish it was mine!!!!

Thanks Joem. If you're still around when I decide to get rid of my rifles, It can be. LOL

[Fred]

Looking at my bayonet blade, I'm convinced that the Gold Paint had a chemical effect on the bright blade and darkened it. It also probably protected it from corrosion. I'll go ahead and clean that off to bring it back to the original appearance.

[Fred]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_1997_zpseuxgwscr.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_1997_zpseuxgwscr.jpg.html)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_1996_zpstqmayl7l.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_1996_zpstqmayl7l.jpg.html)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2014_zpsxz29bfsz.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2014_zpsxz29bfsz.jpg.html)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2007_zpsagnnypew.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2007_zpsagnnypew.jpg.html)

[Fred]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_0204_zps8lng9om7.png (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_0204_zps8lng9om7.png.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2013_zpsaon8lkn0.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2013_zpsaon8lkn0.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2011_zpsdcdnulec.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2011_zpsdcdnulec.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_0650_zpskkn8xcd1.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_0650_zpskkn8xcd1.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_0645A_zpsq6ykearw.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_0645A_zpsq6ykearw.jpg.html)

[Fred]

Now here is an interesting rifle. It has an 11-17 dated barrel that I'm going to take some photos of and post here. The rifle came to me with a Rock Island Arsenal made Rod Bayonet bolt that was still in its original bright finish along with the patina'd yet original Niter finished extractor with its original bright extractor collar. I found a fitting place for that bolt on another rifle and replaced it with a correct C7 straight handled bolt that is the Only part on the rifle that I've installed.
Single Heat Treated receiver of course. However, this rifle's finish on stock, hand guard and metal is I believe all original to its original assembly at Springfield Armory during the First World War.
The bore appears absolutely Pristine and Sharp. None of the wood had been cleaned by me or even oiled. All of the edges are still sharp and unmarred with the exception of the bottom edge of each grasping groove which appears to have shallow depressions from a hard forked rest of some type that appears to have supported the rifle during it being fired. This rifle came with the oiler inside of the butt stock but with no sling.
It's a really neat rifle that is a wonderful unaltered or updated example of the type that was being assembled at Springfield Armory in late 1917 to early 1918. When I decide to sell my next 1903 Springfield, this will be that rifle. I consider it to be a Fine, unaltered and well preserved 1903 that escaped overhaul and abuse. Pretty tough to find I think, which is why my wife bought it for me for a Birthday Present some time back. That woman has a Great eye for unaltered antiques that really paid off for me! :1948: Enjoy the photos!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2033_zpszbmq3w3g.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2033_zpszbmq3w3g.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2027_zpsdwwdorjg.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2027_zpsdwwdorjg.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2028_zpsorft0gk8.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2028_zpsorft0gk8.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2032_zps2afmkw84.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2032_zps2afmkw84.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2026_zps5vvujhae.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2026_zps5vvujhae.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2031_zps5bvzcxuu.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2031_zps5bvzcxuu.jpg.html)

[Fred]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2029_zps8wrdgkfz.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2029_zps8wrdgkfz.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2035_zpsnjjaxgh5.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2035_zpsnjjaxgh5.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2039_zpshkjm5r6u.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2039_zpshkjm5r6u.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2034_zpsrmw86gvj.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2034_zpsrmw86gvj.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2038_zps1nsmmmyn.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2038_zps1nsmmmyn.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2037_zpsavdsu9ek.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2037_zpsavdsu9ek.jpg.html)

[Fred]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2119_zpsrhgq07ub.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2119_zpsrhgq07ub.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2115_zpsz8qjoghd.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2115_zpsz8qjoghd.jpg.html)

[Jkibler2]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2119_zpsrhgq07ub.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2119_zpsrhgq07ub.jpg.html)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/Whitedog333/IMG_2115_zpsz8qjoghd.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/Whitedog333/media/IMG_2115_zpsz8qjoghd.jpg.html)

Wonderful pictures of a fine rifle! Being a machinist for 41 years, it amazes me that the men at SA and RIA were so good at what they were able to do.

[Fred]

Yes, the classic 1903 Springfield rifle certainly was and still is a precision instrument of the highest quality, isn't it?!