Rock Island Model 1903

This rifle and bayonet was given to me a few years ago by my Father in Law before he passed away. Seems I was the only one who showed an interest in it. If I'm right, according to the serial number, this rifle was produced in 1908 and went thru a rebuild after WW1 at the Benecia Arsenal. It has the BA WL mark on the left side of the stock. It also has an Avis barrel dated 1-19. The leaf sight has the 2850 yard notch at the top.
The bayonet was produced at Springfield Armory and has a serial number on it. It's dated 1919 and has wood handles. The scabbard appears to be a Model 1917 that was produced during WW2. Interesting "low serial number" rifle.

Got dropped on the rear sight, for sure! Pretty rifle.

I found my Rock island 1903 at a house sale, alot of old shotguns and 22 rf rifles but only one rifle in 30 cal. This Rock Island has a RIA 3-07 bbl with an exc bore, I had to find a few things to complete it. Your Rock Island looks to be a post WW1 rebuild.

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JDavid: Is there a large S or an RI on the foretip of your stock? I've seen a lot of Benecia Arsenal stamped M1903 stocks and nearly all of them are RIA stocks.

RCS: Found a RIA in nearly the same shape a few years ago. I managed to turn up a single bolt RIA stock (but with a BAWL stamp, instead of the CN-marked original).

Rick, still one of my favorites, the POD stock that I got from you a few years ago. The JFC was found by Rick B. and I was able to get it

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I have an 03-A3 with exactly the same BA-WL stamp, so rather than post-WWI, I would think post-WWII is a likelier timeframe.

More likely, WWII. The stock is a standard 03A3 stock, right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick the Librarian

JDavid: Is there a large S or an RI on the foretip of your stock? I've seen a lot of Benecia Arsenal stamped M1903 stocks and nearly all of them are RIA stocks.

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Rick, look closely at the 5th photo... that will tell you what kind of stock it is!

JDavid - Can you show a photo of the left side of the stock?

Yes, a pinned Remington 03A3 stock. Also has a boxed OG stamp and our mystery US stamp near butt. Two proof marks - a circled P and a second one with maybe a slightly larger loop in the P. Can this second P be tied to either arsenal? No inspector cartouches left (if they were ever there); tiny ordnance bomb on nose. Came with a 12-43 barrel on a likely March '43 receiver along with an SC cocking piece, so it obviously was rebuilt.

Rick, are you saying it probably went through Benicia during or shortly after WWII? Didn't Benicia downsize pretty rapidly after the war ended? I've never seen WL tied to a date range; would be interested in knowing.

Yep, a Mark I stock! That takes care of my question about any RIA markings!!:thup:

I met a fellow a few years back who went to the Benecia Arsenal closing. They put out wooden boxes full of M1903 and M1917 parts. Everything $.10 or $.15. He bought piles of parts. Shortly thereafter, the facility was closed.