Pics -- My RIA 1903

[ksadz]

Picked this rifle up a few years ago and it's been sitting until I decided last week after finding this forum to make some time and start shooting the darn thing.

It's a RIA serial no 3072XX made in 1918(?) with a S-A 8-42 & bomb on the barrel. So apparently it was rebuilt in the 40's right? There's a stamp under the bolt handle that I can't read. Maybe you guys recognize something?

It came with the front and rear sight protectors and sling. Haven't seen a front sight protector like that in any pictures I've seen. I brought it to the gunsmith yesterday who's gonna disassemble, safety check, and test fire it. I'm more of a casual shooter than collector, but have always loved the milsurps, particularly the 1903, M1, and M14. Somehow one day I'll have one of each.

The windage knob on the leaf sight barely turns so I have a new worm screw on the way. I'll replace the whole rear sight if I need to. Are there any tricks to that or should I just have the gunsmith do it?

Oh, and that dangling chain was attached to one of the sight protectors, can't remember which. I keep it in a sling and it came off at some point.

Thanks for any input.

Information

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[Mike D]

ksadz - Welcome, and thanx for posting the pics of your '03. Be sure to ask your smith if he checked the headspace.

The stamp under the bolt handle is an R, for Remington. The bolt is original to a Rem 1903A3, as is the stock and lower band. Not a big deal, it is common on rebuilt rifles.

The barrel date does not indicate the time of rebuild. Are there any rebuild stamps on the stock? If not, the stock was most likely installed by a previous owner.

It looks like there is some kind of circular stamp on top front of the upper band (directly behind front sight)? Can you tell what it is?

The sight covers are very nice! The front cover looks like a T.J. Conroy, also. Together, they are worth over $200.

The sling is on bass-ackwards. You can check here to see if it is proper - How to attach the Model of 1907 Sling

[ksadz]

Thanks Mike D. Sounds like I have a real hodgepodge of parts here.

It's at the gunsmith (yep he's def checking the headspace) now so I couldn't take another picture of the circular stamp on the front band or eyeball it myself. This pic magnified looks like it might be a "3" or a "B"?? I'll be sure to look when I get it back.



Thanks for the info on the sling and the good news about the sight covers

So since hardly any of it is original I'm thinking of maybe changing the stock to one with the relief grooves. Anyone know where to get them, even if their repro and about how much? Thanks!

[Rick the Librarian]

Just to add and amplify what Mike said, the stock was originally mounted on a late Remington M1903A3, as probably was the bolt.