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Here are some photo's of a rifle that I've got. It's a Rock Island 03 that is one of two things. Either it was reassembled in 1918 from piles of newly cleaned parts of new rifles that had been disassembled for thorough cleaning before being issued or it's a rifle that was assembled at Springfield Armory in 1918 from parts sent to them from Rock Island Arsenal. The parts show little wear from use. They appear to have been together since about 1918 and the overall appearance of the rifle shows that it somehow escaped the overhauls and updates that most 1903's received over the years. The stock has a Springfield block P stamped under the wrist. The rear sight ladder is from Springfield. The safety is from Springfield too. So is the Bolt, being a J5 double heat treated bolt. The receiver, according to John Beard, is one of the 5,000 or so Rock Island receivers with low numbers that received Double Heat Treatment during the experiments at Rock Island Arsenal to develop the new heat treatment. Many more such low numbered receivers were destroyed or used up in the experimental trials.
The barrel has a 7-18 date on it. The rifle barrel also has a finish on it that is identical to a finish that was being used for a short time only at Springfield Arsenal in 1918.
Anyway, I hope that the photo's are of some interest to you guys.
The barrel has a 7-18 date on it. The rifle barrel also has a finish on it that is identical to a finish that was being used for a short time only at Springfield Arsenal in 1918.
Anyway, I hope that the photo's are of some interest to you guys.
Spam Sniper- one click, one kill.
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