Question on another late production Rock Island rifle

[RCS]

A few years ago I bought a Rock Island barreled action from the CMP Auction. The
serial number is 331695 with a Hatcher hole, barrel is RIA 11-18 with exc bore

(I did find a R10 bolt too)

Any information would be appreciated

Thanks, Robert

[cplnorton]

I'm sure you have already seen the SRS around your serial. But as I commented on the other one I would look for a numbered sight blade. This was a USMC trait that isn't known much. We just found the document maybe a couple years ago now.

But what it was. The Marines started to drill the hatcher hole in late 1938. Around that time, the Marines also started to install a numbered front sight blade to zero the weapon. The one that came in it from Philly as default was a .40. But other sizes were available to zero it to the Marine.

Now this practice seems to be done by the start of WWII. So the vast majority of the Sedgley barrels and the middle to late 1942 SA barrels you see on them, shouldn't really have a numbered sight blade.

Now with yours having a 1918 barrel, if that hatcher was drilled by the Marines late 38 till the start of WWII, it should have had a numbered sight blade. But also there is always a chance someone else drilled the hatcher or it was drilled post the start of WWII by the MArines and therefore wouldn't have had a numbered sight blade.

But that is a really nice easy trait to see on a Marine rifle. Esp if it has a Hatcher hole signaling it went in for rebuild post 1938, and the barrel pre dates WWII.

331593RI 071337APG TO SA
331596 111635INQUIRY FROM OO
331598 12100925TH INF (BAD BORE)
331609 021739USMC - SAN DIEGO
331610GP 070709128TH CO CAC
331647 082741UAMC - QUANTICO
331654GP 070709128TH CO CAC
331657GP 06180947TH CO CAC
331712 12100925TH INF (BAD BORE)
331729 122009CO I 25TH INF
331729 09131025TH INF
331733 122009CO M 25TH INF

[RCS]

cplnorton,

Thanks for the information, the front sight stud and blade where replaced as the witness lines do not match-up.

[cplnorton]

Yeah that stinks. That would have been a great way to know. I have been finding some new serials, but it sort of got side tracked with some personal issues that have slowed me down. I did take a look and the closest new serial I have around your rifle is 332959. It was with a Belleau Wood Marine in France. But that should have been a SA. I wish I had something more for you.

[Rick the Librarian]

The first RIAs in WWI, in fact a considerable number, were manufactured as "parts". I wouldn't be surprise to discover that your rifle has the original barrel.

[John Beard]

The first RIAs in WWI, in fact a considerable number, were manufactured as "parts". I wouldn't be surprise to discover that your rifle has the original barrel.

The first RIA's in WWI were, in fact, complete rifles. RIA didn't switch over to parts production until January, 1918, although they were allowed to assemble a few rifles daily as a check on quality and interchangeability.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

Based on the serial number, I'd say it was after the January, 1918 date you mentioned. I should have said "after the problem with case-hardened receivers". I should have said "after" - obviously, World War I (for the U.S.) was nearly a year before the change in forging took place.