Low # RIA 1903's at south store

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

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.

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

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.

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/

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.

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

J.B.

You picked up two fine rifles! Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

NICE rifles! Drool!:super:

Were there anymore 1903's left at the store?

There weren't any remington 1903's, only SA and RIA. All were low number.There was probably about 30+ when I left the south store saturday afternoon.With the overall finish of these two rifles and excellent condition and date of their barrels would you say they were probably rebuilt right after WW1 and not used in the field afterward? Any speculation on why they would be in such good shape? Thanks, Paul.

Wow, 30 plus! It sounds like I need to make a trip south this week. The FJA stock dates to WW2 so it had to have been added sometime during or after the war. The other rifle with the GG stock and high hump handguard was rebuilt sometime after WW1 and probably saw little use due to it being a low number receiver.

What was the condition of the remaining 1903's, and was there any early wood? I am always looking for early 1903's plus there are several stocks that I need, and with today's prices it is more cost effective to buy a rifle to get a stock and then have the spare parts for other projects.

I agree - excellent rifles - especially the one with the GG stock and high hump handguard.

What is a GG stock? There were some other nice ones there, but I don't know enough to accurately describe them.

Sorry - "GG" is "gun collector shorthand" for "grasping groove stock" - the long horizontal grooves on each side of the stock bneath the rear sight.

Of these two rifles which one would be the most collectible or have the most value? Any thoughts? Thanks .

The one with the GG stock. That kind of wood can make a rifle and often sells by itself.

On Wednesday, June 24, there were 21 SA & RIA LNs in the rack. About half had gg stocks. Many were in VG condition