early Rock Island rear sights

[RCS]

Over the past twenty years, I have only found two of these rear sights. The first one was at
a gun show in a box of 1903 parts. I used it on my CMP auction four digit Rock Island receiver
(that is the finish that came with the receiver from the CMP) and a pre WW1 barrel.dscn0967.jpgdscn0968.jpg

The second early Rock Island rear sight was on s/n 64145 with a RIA 3-07 dated barrel. This
rifle was never through rebuild and appears original to the rifle

[John Beard]

Those sights are hard to find, even on original rifles. You were fortunate to find two of them.

Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

p.s.,

Is the left side of the leaf serrated? Please advise. Thanks!

[RCS]

left side of leaf

Enclosed photos show that the left side of the leaf is smoothP1010049_0048.jpgP1010050_0049.jpgP1010022_0016_016.jpg

[chuckindenver]

the pre 1905 rear sight that i had...{only one in thousands of sights} had a file type edge on the left side, as well as a spring and detent on that side of the slide..

[kb466]

What am I missing here? What is it that distinguishes these early RIA sights? Thanks.
Bill M.

[Rick the Librarian]

There is a "bar" on the reverse side of later M1903 rear sights on the top of the leaf that is missing with these. The idea was to prevent the slide from coming off.

[kb466]

OK , I get it. How late were these sights used on RIA rifles? I don't believe my original RIA #101382 has this early sight, but I'll pull it out of the safe and check.
Bill M.

[RCS]

Also the left end of the slide is almost square while the later one is rounded

[John Beard]

There is a "bar" on the reverse side of later M1903 rear sights on the top of the leaf that is missing with these. The idea was to prevent the slide from coming off.

Sniffin' the bore cleaner again?

The later M1903 rear sights did indeed have a "bar" on the reverse side of the leaf to prevent the slide from coming off. But the early M1903 rear sight had a fillet in the slot to prevent the slide from coming off.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

Ease off -- I DID get the lack of a "bar" correct!! LOL!

[RCS]

It would almost appear that these two Rock Island leafs and slides shown in the upper photos, were originally manufactured for use with the 30-03 cartridge but
were changed to use the range scale for the 30-06 cartridge. It would have been a way to salvage the leafs and slides.

Are there any Springfield leafs and slides like these Rock Island examples ?

[John Beard]

Ease off -- I DID get the lack of a "bar" correct!! LOL!

Yes, but you erroneously implied that, without the bar, the slide would fall off. It would not!

Junkies are the first to deny their addictions!

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

Yes, but that was my point - I got the lack of a bar correct!!