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Excellent U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,300.00 USD Estimated At:2,750.00 - 4,250.00 USD
Excellent U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Rifle
This is an excellent example of a Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 rifle that was manufactured in 1912. The rifle has a blued barrel, barrel bands, rear sight base, floor plate, trigger guard and buttplate. The receiver has a oil-quenched, casehardened, finish. The bolt has a polished body with parkerized handle, sleeve and cocking piece. The cut-off is case hardened and the "ON" side is polished bright. The rear sight has a polished face with 2850 yard center notch and dished windage and elevation screws. The trigger is grooved The "S" style stock has grasping grooves, one reinforcing bolt and a checkered buttplate. The 'high hump' handguard has two spring clips and a sighting cut. The receiver is roll-stamped: "U.S./ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/MODEL 1903/219506" with small Roman (serif) letters. The top of the barrel is marked: "RIA/Ordnance 'Shell and Flame"/10-12" behind the front sight and the bottom of the barrel is stamped with the lot code "K5/P" in front of the upper barrel band. The bayonet lug, correctly, lacks the "H" mark found on Springfield Armory barrel bands. The left side of the stock is stamped with Ordnance final inspection mark that consists of the script initials "CN" over "1912" surrounded by a rectangle with flattened edges. An encircled, script, "P" proof mark is stamped below the trigger guard finial. The cut-off markings have Roman letters and the bolt "SAFE" and "READY" markings use Gothic (no serif) letters. The steel lot code "I 5" is stamped on the bolt safety lug. Although this rifle lacks the 'Shell and Flame' insignia over "N.R.A." stamped on the forward trigger guard finial of some Springfield and Rock Island Model 1903 sold to qualified N.R.A. members prior to WWI it appears to be one of the selected and star-gauged N.R.A. sales rifles sold before the sales marking was adopted around 1915.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30-06
Finish: casehardened/blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 219506


Excellent. The rifle retains 95% of the original finish on blued components. 90% of the original mottled case-hardened finish is present on the receiver. The stock and hand guard are both in excellent condition with minimal handling wear and crisp markings. The bolt steel lot code, handle and sleeve finish and Gothic safety markings indicate it was manufactured by Springfield Armory. This is an excellent example of a pre-WWI 1912 Production U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 bolt action rifle.