Got a RIA 1903

Won this on GB and picked it up last week.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=133969148

It's my first straight up 1903, to go along with the 03A4 and SC 03A3 I picked up earlier this year. I figured it was looking like a good price even if its a fair to midding 1903, since it came with the 1918 dated sling and grenade boot.

I guess this serial number is too early for any original parkerizing? So the whole thing must have been parked when it was rebuilt with the SA 31 barrel, right? I was going to ask about the bolt but I think I figured it out; I thought it was marked on the lug with an I and a cursive J, but that J must be a 5.

The sling had so much of that green crud on the brass it took a long time to get most of it off. The sling is actually in pretty good condition, but I took it off to not damage it with any use, as this will be a shooter. It looks like it's had the sling attached to the stacking swivel for so long that if I tried to put it on correctly it would be bending and cracking the leather in a new place.

I wasn't planning on putting the boot on, but the seller shipped it that way, and I think I'll keep it on. My shoulder gets pretty sore shooting bolt rifles from the bench...

Two gas holes in the J5 bolt interesting. Possible USMC? Anybody know?

I think he is actually saying it is an I 5 bolt- I would have to agree from looking at the picture.

You can buy leather conditioner and work it into the sling to loosen it up some but take your time and let it soak in. It might take a couple applications. I have had good luck starting with hot water first to get the leather loosened up enough to straighten it without cracking. You can use a nylon brush to clean it off at the same time but I wouldn't use any cleaner on it. Let it dry flat and then start applying the conditioner. Work it in after it has a chance to soak in some. When you are done, be sure you clean off any excess conditioner near the hooks with a toothbrush or you will end up with lots of that green goo from the brass.

I hope this helps- nice rifle.

If you got it for $485, you did very well, IMHO.

Thanks guys. I did some searching and found that the green stuff is called verdigris. I'll see about the leather conditioner, and maybe put the sling on my 1918 dated Eddystone Enfield since I probably won't shoot that one again for a long time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Calif-Steve

Two gas holes in the J5 bolt interesting. Possible USMC? Anybody know?

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The two gas holes in the bolt indicate Army issue. The USMC enlarged the existing gas hole instead.

The bolt steel lot code is "I 5".

J.B.

I concur with RtL. If you got the rifle for $485, you did well.

Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

Normally I go for the more collectible condition stuff, but I'm happy with this one, pending how it shoots. MW measures just below 1, so that's promising. The next one I'll be looking for will be a Mark I with all the parts and stock, but that'll probably be down the road some. Meanwhile I have a '42 garand BR from the Puyallup show that's crying to get built up :)

Just a hint. if you are married do NOT let the verdigrie hit the white carpet in your bedroom.

Zaugau, are you a "Northwesterner"? Hope to "do the Puyallup" (gunshow, that is!) in October.

No, not married, but I did get a little of that dang green crud on my shorts and a little on the living room carpet. It's a speckled carpet anyway so no biggie.

RtL, I actually work in Puyallup so I hit the show every month when I can. I've also been going to the Centralia show and the Monroe show on occasion. I actually like the Centralia show, its smaller but more relaxed and easier to walk around than the Puyallup one. There is also that cool Veterans museum nearby in Chehalis which is worth a visit. Nice firearms collection from around the world, along with lots of memorabilia and the biggest US flag I've ever seen.

Mark

I used to live in the Tri-Cities. I always did the Moses Lake show, used to be a good show. I was there the day INS raided the show and hauled out piles of illegals who were buying shotguns for resale in Mexico. INS walked back into the show and arrested several dealers. Fun times.