Rock Island M1903 Info Needed

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02-04-2011, 01:11 PM
oldusafmsgt

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Rock Island M1903 Info Needed

Just picked up a Rock Island M1903, serial number 285803, with a SA 5-18 barrel. Overall the gun is in pretty good shape, I need to replace a few stamped parts with milled, but looks to be most all Rock Island original. My question is, would this gun have been blued or parkerized when manufactured? It has a dark grey/black parkerizing ? on it now. Weather finally cleared up so I could get some pictures- I gave $500.00 for this, opinions please. I'm not up on 03's , opinions please. Thanks

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02-04-2011, 06:16 PM
Rick the Librarian

RI started Parkerizing in spring, 1918 -earlier than Springfield - you're sort of on the "cusp". Can you give us some more information about it - pictures, maybe?
02-05-2011, 01:17 AM
John Beard

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldusafmsgt

Just picked up a Rock Island M1903, serial number 285803, with a SA 5-18 barrel. Overall the gun is in pretty good shape, I need to replace a few stamped parts with milled, but looks to be most all Rock Island original. My question is, would this gun have been blued or parkerized when manufactured? It has a dark grey/black parkerizing ? on it now. Thanks

The receiver and barrel were parkerized. The lower band and floorplate were blued. The remaining small parts may have been blued, blackened, or parkerized.

J.B.
02-07-2011, 07:29 AM
oldusafmsgt

Weather finally cleared up so I could get some pictures- I gave $500.00 for this, opinions please. I'm not up on 03's , opinions please. Thanks
02-07-2011, 10:27 AM
Mike D

I think the rifle has been refinished. What is the stamp on the top of the upper band/bayo lug? The screw for the band is a replacement. A couple other parts have been replaced, but overall the gun looks good. Not a bad price, either.
02-07-2011, 11:03 PM
John Beard

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldusafmsgt

Weather finally cleared up so I could get some pictures- I gave $500.00 for this, opinions please. I'm not up on 03's , opinions please. Thanks

I concur with Mike D. The rifle appears arsenal refinished.

If the rifle has a good bore, the price was very favorable.

Hope this helps.

J.B.