Today's photo's of the finaly completed rifle.

[Fred]

Some of you guys might be getting tired of seeing any updated photo's of my rifle, but heck, I'm kinda proud at how it's turned out. It now has all of the correct Rod Bayonet 1903 parts on it. It has the RB trigger guard, butt plate with the match ing numbers on the inside of the trap and the plate, correct safety, trigger, RB bolt, RB extractor and extractor ring, RB front sight cover, early oiler and early RB brush and RB pull through and cord, RB rear barrel band, RB front barrel band, RB front sight cover, RB stacking swivel, bayonet catch spring, etc. etc.
Again, as I've mentioned before, it's also chambered for the original 30-03.
Anyway, I was just down loading the seven photo's that I've just taken out back and wanted to see how they post on the screen. So, enjoy! ...Darn that focus! I can't seem to get it right. Maybe it's because I've got the photo's blown up too large. That's something I'm going to experiment with.

[RCS]

rod bayonet rifle

Fred, looks really nice - but still think you need the hand guard spring with the two rivets (page 18 of the U.S. Magazine Rifle manual)

[Fred]

Yea, I've been thinking about that. I can use a Krag hand guard clip and just make it happen. I'm not sure though what distance from either end of the hand guard to specifically drill for the rivets.

[John Beard]

Looks good! I like the buttplate!

J.B.

[RCS]

Fred,

From the front end of your handguard, go back 6 3/8 inches to the inside clip which is .600 inches long. The rivets are .500 inches apart center to center on the inside
clip. The head of each rivet which shows on the outside is .240 diameter.

You should be able to use something from another rifle or carbine that is close. RCS

[p246]

Looks good Fred keep posting so some of us can study

[Fred]

Hey, Thanks RCS. I'll getter done now! I really appreciate that information!

[Fred]

Looks good! I like the buttplate!

J.B.

Thanks John! Hey, I sure appreciate the original Rod Bayonet parts! Everything fits and looks right now.
Should I do anything with the missing wood on the heel of the butt?

[Fred]

Looks good Fred keep posting so some of us can study

I sure will!

[tmark]

Not many of them around now days. Thanks for the beautiful pics.

[Fred]

Glad you like them!

[John Beard]

Thanks John! Hey, I sure appreciate the original Rod Bayonet parts! Everything fits and looks right now.
Should I do anything with the missing wood on the heel of the butt?

I believe I would attempt to repair the piece of missing wood on the heel of the butt. But, i would remove very little, if any, existing wood. I would attempt to make a patch that would fit where the wood is missing. A good place to start would be to scavenge up an old stock that has about the same color. And then cut the patch out of that same location on the old stock. A lot of time and patience would be required to make it fit.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

J.B.

[Fred]

OK, I'll get to work on that. I've tried wood patch out of a can before and that just won't do. I'll get some walnut and see what I can do. Thanks John.

[buttebob]

It looks great Fred. Keep those pictures coming.

[CPC]

Very nice. Thank you for sharing!