+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: M1903 smooth butt plates

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Chuck Russell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last On
    11-08-2022 @ 01:31 PM
    Location
    Bismarck, ND
    Posts
    12
    Real Name
    Chuck Russell
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:28 PM

    M1903 smooth butt plates

    Here are photos of two M1903 smooth butt plates. Comparing them to the photos on the Vi Shooter site, the plate on the left is the pre-1910 variation and the plate on the right is the 1917-1920 variation. Correct? Do the milling marks below the caps on the inside surface give any clue as to which arsenal, SA or RIA, manufactured each butt plate?
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 04:39 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,395
    Real Name
    Robert Seccombe
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:28 PM

    Early Rock Island buttplate

    Photo shows an early R I buttplate from a Rock Island rifle in the 64000 serial number range with a RIA 3-07 bbl
    Last edited by RCS; 04-24-2010 at 09:08 AM.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    ibuymilitaria's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last On
    02-17-2010 @ 02:30 PM
    Posts
    42
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:28 PM
    I thought all early butt plates had the small trap and the ones with the small trap with matching numbers on the inside of doors and butt plate were cut down Krags! Jeff B

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last On
    10-27-2024 @ 01:35 AM
    Location
    Sweet Home Alabama
    Posts
    1,091
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:28 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ibuymilitaria View Post
    I thought all early butt plates had the small trap and the ones with the small trap with matching numbers on the inside of doors and butt plate were cut down Krags! Jeff B
    Both small-trap and large-trap early buttplates have the assembly numbers on the inside.

    The small-trap M1903 buttplates were not cut-down Kragicon buttplates. At the time our alterations book was written, the example we had to study did indeed have a cut-down Krag buttplate. But, that one was unique. Virtually all small-trap M1903 buttplates were originally made that way.

    Hope this helps.

    J.B.

  7. #5
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    RBruce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 07:23 PM
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Age
    81
    Posts
    663
    Real Name
    Bruce Sharer
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:28 PM
    Mr. Beardicon,
    What period would the small trap buttplates have been originally used? Springfield, Rock Island or both? --TIA

  8. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    xs hedspace's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last On
    07-06-2012 @ 03:23 PM
    Location
    upstate NY
    Posts
    21
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:28 PM
    I've got a Rock Island WW2 USMC rebuild with a smooth plate, and a checkered trap. How did that happen? Anybody? Lots of cosmo residue behind the plate--doesn't look like it was messed with.

  9. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    xs hedspace's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last On
    07-06-2012 @ 03:23 PM
    Location
    upstate NY
    Posts
    21
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:28 PM
    What, nobody has any ideas about the smooth plate with the checkered trap??
    PS: Thanks for the info on the vise jaw marks on the USMC barrel WW2 rebuilds. I was freaking out when I saw them in my barrel!!
    Last edited by xs hedspace; 01-25-2010 at 10:24 AM.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Late RMC butt plates
    By painter777 in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-18-2009, 11:09 AM
  2. What year did USMC start stippled butt plates?
    By Jeff L in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 08-10-2009, 12:48 AM
  3. Help Really Needed to ID 2 Butt plates
    By painter777 in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-09-2009, 12:23 PM
  4. Smooth trigger
    By Randy A in forum Pattern 1913/1914 and M1917 Rifles
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-26-2009, 03:35 AM
  5. IDing M1 Carbine Butt Plates?
    By cquickel in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-20-2009, 06:48 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts