M-1903 Springfield Timeline Question?

[RetArmyNoncom]

I'll start by saying I'd defer to C.N., RTL, and J.B prior to this.

In THE ROCK ISLAND RIFLE MODEL 1903 by C.S. Ferries on page 9. Springfield had produced 30,000 RB Rifles by June 30th, 1904. Springfield had equipped the corps of cadets at West Point, Troops at Fort Snelling Minnesota and the 25th Infantry Regiment in Texas with RB 1903s during this time.

The context of this paragraph is more that Rock Island had not started any meaningful rifle production yet.

Thanks for that info.....I've come pretty much to the conclusion now that the 7th Cav Regt departed for duty in the PI in 1904 with Krag carbines. Chances for returning with them in 1907 are a bit less but I would think they brought them back and exchanged them for 03's at that time.

[stevekaw]

Among the first units to receive the Rod-Bayonet version of the rifle was the Cadet Corps of the United States Military Academy (West Point)...

[98src]

G.S Patton once had a RB m1903

Among the first units to receive the Rod-Bayonet version of the rifle was the Cadet Corps of the United States Military Academy (West Point)...

The attached image came from a book that contained Patton's letters.

[rayg]

As stated RIA did not start actual line production of standard 1903 rifles until the beginning of 1907. Here is my RIA rifle which was one of the very first rifles off the line in 1907. Not many of these around still in original condition any more. No stock bolts, no grove hand guard, high wood stock, etc, Ray
1903 Rock Island3-3.JPG1903 Rock Island3-5.JPG1903 Rock Island3-6 (2).jpg1903 Rock Island3-11.JPG1903 Rock Island early-12.jpg

[rayg]

xxxxx

[rayg]

According to C.S. Ferris & J. Beard, pg 25,
these are some of the serial numbers of known rifles produced in that first month.

63499 4-07
65975 3-07
71587 4-07
87229 6-07 My serial number is 87241 and corresponds to the 6-07 bbl number.
94160 8-07

[Rick the Librarian]

Interesting - I have RIA 16,093 with a 6-05 RIA barrel.


IMG_4312 (1024x300).jpg
IMG_4316 (682x1024).jpg
IMG_4321 (1024x682).jpg

[rayg]

Nice rifle Rick, looks like one of the early rifles assembled using the usable parts that were original made for the RB and 30-03 rifles and were never assembled but stored to be used later. Rare to see a 1908 dated stock on one of them, and a beauty at that, as most rifles weren't assembled with the early parts until 1909-10. Nice to have one that was assembled so early, Ray

[Vern Humphrey]

I'd think it would have been possible, since there was no M1903 "carbine", but I honestly do not know.

In reading your quoted source (which was from ??) the wording would tend to make one think that they had REALLY shortened the barrel in going from the .30-'03 to the .30-'06 cartridge, when actually the change was less than a quarter of an inch (set back 2 threads, IIRC).

You're correct. And the Springfield was the first short-barreled rifle developed by a major power. The Short Magazine Lee Enfield (the word "short" designating a 25-inch barrel) was adopted in 1907, and the Kar 98 was adopted after WWI.

[Fred]

Nice!!!

[CPC]

Very nice, I really like the old script serial numbers on the RIA’s , I have a 106k Rifle but it doesn’t have an original barrel (1907/08?). Thank you for sharing. Interesting thread.