M1903 smooth butt plates

[Chuck Russell]

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

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[RCS]

Photo shows an early R I buttplate from a Rock Island rifle in the 64000 serial number range with a RIA 3-07 bbl

[ibuymilitaria]

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

[John Beard]

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 Krag 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 Virtually all small-trap M1903 buttplates were originally made that way.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.

[RBruce]

Mr. Beard,
What period would the small trap buttplates have been originally used? Springfield, Rock Island or both? --TIA

[xs hedspace]

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.

[xs hedspace]

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!!