Finally got my hands on a piece of family legacy and American history...

[ChrisATX]

My grandfather on my father's side used one on Guadalcanal. My grandfather on my mother's side trained and was a decorated Army marksman with an '03. I became interested in them, naturally, after CMP ran out.

From what I've ascertained, 382xxx Rock Island Arsenal, double heat treated receiver, built in February, 1918. Barrel is September, 1944, High Standard with Springfield flaming bomb. Crown is next to perfect. Ladder sight with no volley notch. Bottom of the stock is marked "77 3 1" in front of the trigger guard. Swept bolt handle. Electropenciled numbers do not match receiver serial. No stamping on side of the butt.

The store received it for consignment from a collector yesterday evening. I stopped by after work, and by some alignment of the universe, saw it. Basic research on the numbers last night, went back this morning and put my name on it this piece of history. It was available for a grand total of 18 hours, and this is the kind of shop where there is a good chance that someone already browsing in the shop would buy it/layaway it as it was being brought in.

Anything else you can tell me would be appreciated... Greek return?












Thanks!!!

[ChrisATX]

Buttplate:

[Parashooter]

Greek return, mixmaster, could shoot well. If you like it, that's what counts.

[Major Tom]

Definitely a grand ol' lady. I love it. Lucky you.

[da gimp]

the way I figure it on the old mixmasters with replaced barrels............... chances are that they were really used in combat by one of our guys......... don't get me wrong, if I had a chance to get a stone mint condition rifle for the same money, I'd get it first.................. but at the same time, in a way, the rebuilt, used hard old girl is dern desirable too.......it most probably was used to defeat our country's enemies........ by at least one man, who was fighting dern hard to protect his brothers & himself............there definitely ain't no shame in owning it..........

[Clark Howard]

If the magazine cover has been pinned with a skinny pin just in front of the trigger guard, it may be a Greek. Looks like a nice example of an 03 service rifle. Regards, Clark

[ChrisATX]

Thanks everyone! Is there a link to read the historically accurate details about the US supply of '03 rifles to the Greeks?

[Punch the Clown]

When would the Hatcher's Hole have been installed?

[ChrisATX]

Good eye! I didn't even notice the Hatcher hole.

[chuckindenver]

might be a USMC rifle. Greek return for sure. remove the handguard, look for vise marks on the barrel

[ChrisATX]

Thanks everyone! Looking at the ladder sight, just to verify, the bottom most line on the odd number (right) side is the 100 yard zero, correct?

[Fred]

Yes

[fkienast]

I have RI 318xxx with the same HS 44 Barrel. Greek return. No Hatcher hole. Shoots excellent.

[Punch the Clown]

The bolt looks like the Greeks had it for sure, but the rest of the rifle isn't screaming "Greek Black" at me. Looks like park in my opinion. A through scrubdown will make that rifle sweet.

[Finestkind]

If the stock is what I think it is I will buy it from you and send you a replacement.


Finestkind