Rarity of Original Pre-WW1 Service Rifles

[RCS]

Ray, My Rock Island serial number 64145 has a RIA 3-07 dated barrel and doubt it has been through any rebuild (bore is exc too) it has the early rear sight leaf and slide.

Have you and Fred noticed that some Rock Island rear sight leafs are without the top rib and have the square left side on the rear sight slide ? is this rear sight unique only to Rock Island rifles ? or could
it be found on early Springfield rifles too

[Rick the Librarian]

Here's my early Rock Island rifle, 16093. It took me a lot of looking and it wasn't cheap (I had to trade one of my NRA Sales rifles PLUS cash for it!), but it is a beaut. Keep in mind that, according to Ferris and Beard, the first RIAs were parts sets and there is some doubt that more than a handful of RIA Rod Bayonet rifles were assembled. It has one of the earliest barrels I have seen, a RIA 6-05.

[tom gray]

Guys I have an SA #106840 with 8-06 barrel with A under the date. All parts sights, knobs, bolt no groove handguard all appear original. Now the bad part. Someone before I got it changed the buttstock. It now has a 03-a3 stock with a coarse checkered, no trap buttplate.
Any thoughts where I might find a correct stock to restore it?
Thanks
Tom

[Fred G.]

I saw one with a CN cartouche on it two years ago up at a Kansas City gun show that the guy was asking 450.00 for. Not needing it, I walked on. So, they are still out there...

[tom gray]

Thanks Fred. I will keep my eyes open

[Fred G.]

Not wanting to be left out of the game... Here's my early 1903. The only one that I have. It was assembled from original early parts of course that for the most part aren't even available anymore, including the original stock. Try to find one of Those today as well as a 30-03 barrel... Ha! As soon as I find another that's still in its original form and is sitting in a bank vault, I'll throw this one away.

















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I finally found and bought a rather expensive and original first type sling for the Rod Bayonet rifle too


The bolt body is correctly and still originally polished...

[Rick the Librarian]

Ah, yes, that trumps them all!

[Fred G.]

Thanks Rick. However I don't think that my rifle can compare with all of the other fine, fine rifles that you guys have displayed here. Yours are all original in form and mine has just been assembled from original Rod Bayonet 03 parts. I really like everyone's early rifles! I AM Green with envy of you all!

[browningautorifle]

The rod bayonet rifles are the kind of art I was referring too also. Even parts guns, because the others don't seem to be out there.

[rayg]

Thanks Rick. However I don't think that my rifle can compare with all of the other fine, fine rifles that you guys have displayed here. Yours are all original in form and mine has just been assembled from original Rod Bayonet 03 parts. I really like everyone's early rifles! I AM Green with envy of you all!

Attachment 59911 Attachment 59910 Trade ya!