I have owned this for a while, SRS

[DRAGONFLYDF]

I have owned this 1903 for about 15 years and never looked up the history of it, other than it was built in 1918 and has a 12-44 barrel on it. I replaced the stock with a period correct straight pull stock but nothing else done to it.
I would like to find a 1918 barrel to put on it.
serial is 993857

[Mike D]

Congrats! It appears your rifle was once in the hands of the 17th Infantry!

993857 07/01/37 Co. L 17th Inf.

Happy New Year!

Mike

[DRAGONFLYDF]

Thanks Mike.
I guess I need to find a 1918 barrel for it, anyone have one they want to let go ?

[TDP0311]

Very cool to know where your rifle went! The 17th Infantry Regiment saw action on the Aleutian Islands, Eastern Mandates, Leyte, and the Ryukus. I have seen a few photos showing the 17th with a mix of 1903s and Garands on the Aleutians...

[Rick the Librarian]

Keep in mind that SRS provides a "snapshot" of a rifle's use. I note the date of the report as being 1937. It could have been in the hands of a totally different unit by WWII. Still, it might be worth getting the report from SRS. I have a few SRS "hits" but mostly NM rifles, which only have the receipt of sale available.

[Ed Byrns]

993857 07/01/37 Co. L 17th Inf.

[Ed Byrns]

993857 07/01/37 Co. L 17th Inf.

The 17th infantry co. L ,in 1937, was the last vestiges of the Buffalo Soldiers as a whole unit.
The 17th had 23 battle Honors to that date.They were shuttled around from Division to Division
during the years between the wars.
The Buffalo soldiers,somewhat like the USMC, kept their weapons,even to an unserviceable point.
The likelihood is that the rifle remained with the unit till surrendered for a serviceable on modern M-1.
The National Archive Document is probably a muster and inspection of company "L",which means their is a better than 50/50 chance that it is associated to an Individual soldier.
Attaching a National Archive Document to a 1903 rifle,as it stands,is no small feat, and you are quite fortunate to have identified it as such.But remember,you are just a caretaker.
Respectfully submitted
Ed Byrns

[Rick the Librarian]

Ed - the 17th was not a regiment made up of Black troops - that was the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments (and 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments). The "Buffalo" in their crest was the nickname of one of their commanding officers, Col. William W. "Buffalo Bill" Quinn, during the Korean War.

Here's the 17th Infantry's website:

http://17thinfantry.org/history/regiment.php