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First posting here with my new-to-me RIA re-arsenal. Serial number is 11563 with a SA 11-14 barrel (hard to see in pics). Has a Remington bolt. Came with a RIA 1906 bayonet.
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Beautiful rifle, what shape's the barrel in? It was put together was it?
Bore is bright. Don't have any muzzle or throat measurements but the person I purchased it from used it in informal target shooting with good results.
I'm just suspecting it was put together, I know I've helped refurbish this sort of thing and wonder if that's why it looks so new. There'll be others along shortly to help you with all the small markings. I would just like one like that for shooting. I think it'd be great.
I'm not sure what you mean by put together. Ths gun is how I bought it with no parts changed by me. It looks like an arsenal re-build. It has a scant stock with an RA-P cartouche so I know it isn't origianl RIA. The stacking swivel is a stamped part so it isn't original either. From what I've read the serial number places it as a 1904 production so it was re-barrelled to .30-06. I guess that is why there is a Springfile Armory 1914 dated barrel. The person I purchased it from is an older gentleman who purchased it from the wife of a deceased long-time friend. His friend received it from his father so there is a good chance it has been well cared for for many years. It was used for local shooting matches and I will shoot it also, I'm not much of a wall-hanger type of guy.
Not sure why it has a 1914 barrel. The .30-03's were converted over by 1914. Suspect a parts gun, never buy the story, buy the gun if its a keeper.
There are actually quite a few details that show it's been through overhaul/rebuild. Chances are it was pulled from service like so many of the low number rifles were and sold. The barrels weren't changed when going to the 06 cartridge from the 03, they were set back, (re-shouldered and screwed in another turn), so your barrel is a replacement from the original (s) being worn out.
Items that I could see from the photos:
Rear sight assembly (knobs, and staff are too new, no 2850 notch)
Entire bolt assemblt (it's all A3)
Mag cutoff (should be serrified)
Trigger (should be the smooth sharp tipped)
Of course you already noted the stacking swivel and stock, I'm inclined to say WW2 rebuild, but I wouldn't think the rifle would have been kept in service that long.
---------- Post added at 10:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 PM ----------
Nice rifle by the way!
So Kdolson, reference what these other guys say, that's what I mean by put together. It's not just me. It's a nice rifle, just not necessarily original. It's in too good shape for that. There's lots of threads here that have pics attatched showing originals. Check them out. Nice rifle, I'd love to have it.
That's a good point, seems like a good number of the LN rifles pulled from service are in nice condition.
Speaking of low numbers,,, 11563 should have been built in 1903. Also,,,, here goes, sorry for starting it again guys, low number rifles (below Serial number 800000 Springfield) should not be fired. The reason they were pulled from service was a flaw in the heat treatment process. Sure, they've worked fine for many years, but history shows that a good number of them would just up and turn into a hand grenade for (in many cases) no apparent reason. Unlike a high number action, when they come apart, they go in pieces, not just bulge apart and stay intack. For that reason, they are prohibited from use in VMR matches. There have been many heated debates on many forums and people really don't like to hear that the rifle they just bought has a problem,, but we simply let them know about the issue because noone likes to hear about someone getting hurt.
Keep in mind it has been over 65 years since the M1903 was used by the U.S. military (except for very limited applications during Korea and early in Vietnam). A lot of things could have happened to the rifle under discussion. The barrel, for example, could have been replaced as part of a pre-WWI overhaul. Also keep in mind that the military used ammunition with corrosive primers and barrel replacementt was very common; on the other hand, a former civilian owner could have put the rifle together from parts.
Thanks for the information and clarification. I had assumed that an arsenal rebuild was done and hadn't considered people changing parts throughout the rifle's life. I suppose all of that is likely true. I bought the rifle because it caught my eye being in good condition but also showing some wear and patina. Most of the rifles I see around my neck of the woods are in worse condition and more expensive. Getting the infor on specific parts will also feed my growing interest in trying to find some of the "correct" parts to replace.
I've read quite a bit on the issues of shooting low numbered rifles. I haven't yet decided to shoot it but if I do I'll make some lower powered re-loads (been rolling my own for ~30 years) to be on the safe side.
Sometimes the storys with these rifles are fun. When writing a receipt for the gun the seller noted we have the same first name (Ken). It turns out so did his deceased friend and his father. Ken is also my son's name. Looks like this rifle is destined to be owned by Kens for a very long time!
Thanks, Ken