New (to me) RIA M1903 #278,759

[Rick the Librarian]

I was helping a guy I met on the Internet go through a gun collection and he had a Rock Island that was going to be part of the deal. I bought it for $800 plus shipping.

It is one of the "transitional" Rock Islands made when the forging method was changed. Although in the "low" range, John Beard said it one of those which received the later heat-treating method.

The serial number is 278,759 and it appears to be correct/original in most respects. It has a 5-18 RIA barrel with a C104 steel lot code for you who are keeping score.

The stock is beautiful. On the left side, the wood has a quarter-sawn grain with some slight tiger-striping; on the right side, it has sort of a swirled grain which isn't shown well in the pictures. However, the stock has been repaired in two places.

The bolt is an original RIo and all other parts appear to be original.

Got this to fill the "hole" for a WWI RIA.

[bobinmich]

Beautiful rifle! Interesting stock repairs! Thanks for sharing!

[Fred]

That's a Really Nice rifle that would've been tough to pass up for more than what you paid. I like it! Even has the R.I. rear sight leaf. Way to go! Got any more pictures of it?

[Rick the Librarian]

Anything in particular you want to see?

[robh5]

That's a Really Nice rifle that would've been tough to pass up for more than what you paid. I like it! Even has the R.I. rear sight leaf. Way to go! Got any more pictures of it?

How can you tell a R.I. sight leaf from a S.A. one? Thanks.

[Rick the Librarian]

The bases on the "7"s are straight on RIA '03s; those Springfield rear sights have curved bases.

[robh5]

The bases on the "7"s are straight on RIA '03s; those Springfield rear sights have curved bases.

Just looked at my SA and RIA 03's. By "bases" do you mean the leg of the "7"? If so I have a RIA sight on my SA, and a SA on my RIA. Learning is fun!

[bruce]

Beautiful rifle. Well worth every dime you paid. Would have gladly bought it myself. Sincerely. bruce.

[Rick the Librarian]

Yes, the leg or base of the 7s on the rear sight leaf - "straight" = RIA; "curved" = SA.

[twh]

Rick are you sure about the 7 issue? Looking at the pictures of your sight leaf it looks like the base of the 7 is curved.

[Rick the Librarian]

Got the rifle right in front of me and it has "straight" 7s. Might be the angle of the photograph, although the 7s also look straight to me.

[Kragrifle]

Would love to see photos!

[RCS]

There might be one exception to the straight 7 for Rock Island and the curved 7 for Springfield

I have two rear sight leafs (D28372)

the first one is with a straight 7, without the top notch, polished face and small R stamp on the right bottom above the pin hole

second rear sight leaf also a straight 7, without top notch, parkerized finish on face, no stamps/markings but a square rib on the top rear

[Jeff L]

Nice one.

[Fred]

There might be one exception to the straight 7 for Rock Island and the curved 7 for Springfield

I have two rear sight leafs (D28372)

the first one is with a straight 7, without the top notch, polished face and small R stamp on the right bottom above the pin hole

second rear sight leaf also a straight 7, without top notch, parkerized finish on face, no stamps/markings but a square rib on the top rear

If that first sight was made by Remington, then it has the Rock Island type 7 because Remington was using Rock Island Arsenal's machinery to make their 1903's.