Low # RIA 1903's at south store

[MIL rifle1]

I just returned from the south store with two low # RIA 1903's and of course I have questions.No pics yet but hopefully in a couple of days. First rifle sn 78241 w/ barrel date AV 1-19 all metal appears to be blued except bolt collar which is a green park. FJA stock w/ ORD. wheel and two small brass pins on each side of floor plate and the hand guard is stamped D28179 on top. I know that's not a lot of info but haven't taken it apart yet.
Second rifle sn 34353 w/ barrel date AV 11-18 appears to be a greenish blueing??? It's smooth like blueing but the color is not black. The stock has finger grooves, a large S on the end and the remnants of a box w/ clipped corners. The finish on each rifle matches itself perfectly. ie they are beautiful.
All comments, insight and info would be appreciated as I'm new to these rifles. More info and pics to follow. Thanks

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.

[Rick the Librarian]

1. #78241 dates to about mid-1907; the barrrel was made by Avis just after WWI. The stock is either a late Remington M1903 or early M1903A3 stock; the handguard is from Springfield and dates to the late 1930s.

2. #34353 probably dates to about 1905; the barrel has te same origins as #1 and the stock started out as a Rock Island, possibly from the same era as your receiver.

If you can post some good-quality pictures, that might reveal some more.

[MIL rifle1]

Thanks Rick, I'll try to take pics tomorrow morning. Paul.

[John Beard]

Adding to what Rick said, if I had to guess, I'd say the FJA stock was installed on your rifle by an armorer at the CMP to replace a cracked stock that was previously on it. But that's just a guess. You don't see many low number rifles with FJA stocks.

In any event, your description indicates you did well. Congratulations! And thanks for sharing!

J.B.

[MIL rifle1]

Here are the pics of the 2 RIA 1903's I picked up at the south store. Also wanted to mention that the barrel on the 78xxx gauged ME1 & TE 2. The bore is pristine, looks unfired to me. The other barrel on the 34xxx gauged ME 1.5 & a TE 3. However, the bore is dirty but hopefully will clean up. I used CMP gauges to get these readings.

http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/h...LRIFLE1/M1903/

[BruceV]

You have two beautiful rifles! Clean them up and take them to the range. From the pictures, it looks like both rifles are going to be first class shooters! Sincerely. BruceV.

[John Beard]

Did you happen to notice any Remington M1903's at the South Store while you were shopping? Just curious. Thanks!

J.B.

[John Beard]

You picked up two fine rifles! Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

[Dan Shapiro]

NICE rifles! Drool!

[John Hancock]

Were there anymore 1903's left at the store?