Rock Island Arsenal M1903 (pics update)

More pics tried to edit last thread but no joy so here are some more.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1251-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1261-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1331-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1291-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1231-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1201-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1211-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...cture119-2.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1171-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ture1161-1.jpg

Definitely a Remingto M1903 stock - looks like no cuts for an 03A3 handguard ring.

Thanks rick, would you use it regarding the low number receiver ? am just after a few personal opinions.

thinking that rifle saw use in Canada??the T on the barrel??what you say J.B.??
nice old rifle..

would you use it Chuck ?

Hey Big,

Ya' might have a Remington handguard to match the stock.

Have a swept handled bolt, that part is safe for shootin'.

Thanks for the info about the fair.

Lancebear

That T was on all my Greek returns. No one has ever made the leap around here, to interpret what the T means. Or maybe I missed it.

PD

the rifle? or the barrel???
iv seen the T on Canada lent 1917,s.. wondered if it pushed over to 03,s

Lancebear, although it isn't totally clear in the picture, I don't think either rifle has a Remington handguard.

I don't shoot low-numbered M1903s; however, some do, taking cae with the ammunition they use.

Hey Rick,

Duke's new rifle has a guard that sorta matches a Remington HG I have. Just a guess though, need better photo. I have been on the Hoppe's lately.

LB

Stock markings indicate that your rifle was last overhauled by Remington Arms in 1945. Other markings indicate that your rifle is one of those recently sold by the CMP which they imported from Greece. The stock, ironically, came from a Remington rifle that was manufactured earlier during the war.

Hope this helps. Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

Thanks J B,

when you say recently sold, any idea on how recent? as i am in the UK, just wonder if any more arrived with this.

Would say it had been used recently as the bore needed a clean, but one pull through and it was gleaming.

Does anyone ever shoot low serial number examples and what loads would they be using?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigduke6

Thanks J B,

when you say recently sold, any idea on how recent? as i am in the UK, just wonder if any more arrived with this.

Would say it had been used recently as the bore needed a clean, but one pull through and it was gleaming.

Does anyone ever shoot low serial number examples and what loads would they be using?

---

The CMP Greek rifles were sold during the 2002-2006 time frame. If your rifle is a CMP Greek rifle, I don't know how it could end up in the U.K. The CMP didn't sell any rifles in the U.K. that I know of. So, perhaps I stand corrected. Nevertheless, the CMP Greek rifles contained a number of rifles that looked like yours!

Many shooters regularly shoot their low number rifles. Perhaps more important than the powder charge, make sure that you have good brass. Low number rifles are reasonably safe when fired with standard ammunition. But, they have little margin for safety in the event of a cartridge case failure. I'll let others advise you on a reasonable powder charge.

Hope this helps. :wave:

J.B.

Thanks again JB,
i only use standard ammo or starting loads in my rifles think i will ask on the reloading section, bit unsure on the " CMP" ? can you shed some light what its short for.

Civilian Marksmanship Program.

www.odcmp.org

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigduke6

Thanks again JB,
i only use standard ammo or starting loads in my rifles think i will ask on the reloading section, bit unsure on the " CMP" ? can you shed some light what its short for.

---

The CMP is an independent U.S. government-owned agency responsible for disposing of surplus U.S. military rifles (bolt action and semi-auto). CMP stands for Civilian Marksmanship Program. Profits they realize from the sale of government military rifles are placed in a trust fund and the proceeds are used to support the National shooting Matches and promote civilian marksmanship, especially among youth.

Among other things, the CMP is authorized to re-import U.S. military rifles that have been loaned to foreign nations. In 2002, they re-imported 47,000 M1903 series rifles that had been loaned to Greece and were no longer needed. The rifles were then sold to qualified U.S. citizens ("Yanks!") over the following four years.

Rick the Librarian provided you a link to their website. Hope this helps.

J.B.

[QUOTE=John Beard;82872

Among other things, the CMP is authorized to re-import U.S. military rifles that have been loaned to foreign nations. In 2002, they re-imported 47,000 M1903 series rifles that had been loaned to Greece and were no longer needed.

J.B.[/QUOTE]

Hey John,

How do you "re-import" a rifle? :)

Would "re-claim" be a better choice to describe their return to country of origin? :cheers:

Have a good weekend!

Emri :beerchug:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Emri

Hey John,

How do you "re-import" a rifle? :)

Would "re-claim" be a better choice to describe their return to country of origin? :cheers:

Have a good weekend!

Emri :beerchug:

---

"Reclaimed" would indeed be a better word. I stand corrected. Thanks for bringing the error to my attention!

J.B. :wave:

p.s.,

As a matter of note, some of the Greek rifles really were "re-imported" after having once served overseas! :nono:

Seems like there should be a non destructive method of testing whether the steel is burnt or not by this day and age.
They figured only a few of the low number receivers were actually defective but had no way to weed them out at the time. Only way to restore confidence in the rifle was to replace receivers as the rifles were turned in for repair/rebuild.