M1903 Rock Island......Information requested

Hello ALL,
I have aquired a M1903 Rock Island that I know very little about. I am hoping knowledgable people will give me their opinion as to what I actually have. a nice original arsenal refurb or a parts gun someone did in their garage. In particular I have the following questions.
1. I cant find any of the cartouches or marks normally associated with rebuilds. the only marks I can find is a number "3" behind the trigger guard. three number "2" on the top forearm and the number "105" near the butt plate. I think I see the outline of where a cartouche should be on the left behind the safety but can only make out a half a box or maybe they are scratches. but it doesnt appear to have been sanded. so whats the thoughts on the stock? if it did go through a rebuild shouldnt it have some additioanl marks?
2. I noticed it has a replaced barrel from Springfield dated 1-42 but then I noticed an "R" on the side of the rear site. I assume that stands for Remington and not Rock Island. so was it normal to parts from differant suppliers for a rebuild?
3. the bolt.....the only number I can find anywhere on the bolt appears to be an '8" or two circles side by side on the top of the bolt handle. no other markings I can find. is this normal and what does this mean?
I've tried to attach photos to help with any ID. if others are needed. just let me know.
Thanks in advance.
PS.....I already know I shouldnt shoot it LOL. I have no intentions of it. I just wanted a nice collectable gun. I hope I didnt get taken.
Sam

It was rebuilt for WW2 (if not rebuilt before) and parkerized too. Not much you can do except enjoy it the way it is now. Found these two early Rock Islands over the past ten years, the blued finish Rock Island came from the CMP auction and like yours a rebuild.
The s/n 64145 is or appears original still with a RIA 3-07 dated barrel (nice bore too) but not as nice looking after many years of storage in a back room of a hardware storeAttachment 54207

Nice looking early rifle...yours too RCS...love those early numbers.

I think you will find that bolt is a CC "Commercial Controls" rebuild bolt.
Nothing wrong with it as it sits, some type of minor rebuild, or worn parts replacement is more likely.
I can't speak to the stock issue, but its very nice as is!
It would not be hard to find the correct bolt for you rifle and the correct sight assembly.
A very nice rifle, that I would update if it were mine!


Update: Your 1905 Rifle would originally have had a bolt marked with an "s" on the Bottom of the Safety Lug", GB has one here: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=424081795

Cheers

Is there a large gas escape hole on the left side of the receiver?

Jarrod

The lower band is on upside down, as the U is for up.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...6/9ky1hi-1.jpg

Thanks guys for all the imput. to respond.
1st .Jarrodeu. yes there is a hole drilled for gas escaping. I think I read somewhere that was done to help correct the failure issue. but again, I didnt have any intention of shooting anyway.
2nd. Tom Watts....you mentioned the bolt was a "Commercial Controls". your correct I looked closer and it is a CC rather than an 8. what does that mean? Clearly there was an arsenal rebuild at some point just because it has a 42 dated barrel. did the Govt. ever use these CC marked bolts when refurbishing? and I am assuming then by your one comment that the rear sight assembly would not be attributed to an arsenal rebuild either? what kind should it have?

I guess it appears I may have been dooped. I was looking for an 1903 that went thru a WWII rebuild but was still all original to the Govt. doing the work and was in an as issued condition as it pertained to WWII. not some pieced together gun. not sure what to do now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johnny Peppers

the U is for up.

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I didn't know that.

your rifle was rebuilt during WW2... the hole {hatcher hole} was added at that time, it was reproofed. as well.
the bolt was likely added by someone other then the military...however, a correct time frame bolt is easy to find..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I didn't know that.

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They used the "U" feature, supposedly going back to before the Civil War.

Thanks guys....
Chukindenver...one other question then. what about the rear site? when they did the arsenal rebuild would they have used an R marked site?

I was surprised just how little information is out there as to correct configurations for arsenal rebuilds and who shared parts. I found tons on the M1 and their entire parts fiasco but very little on these 03's

Does anyone see this as a possible USMC rebuild?
Jarrod

The "R" stamped rear sight was made by Remington and would have dated to sometime in the 1942-1945 time frame.

Thanks guys for all the help. then except for a possible bolt housing being replaced it probably is all original for arsenal rebuild. the stock remains a mystery. either the cartouches are worn off or it could have had some light sanding. the inspector 3 is still visable underneath. so it could go either way. the finish is too nice I think for them to have been worn off. but either way, its a rarer early stock.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick the Librarian

They used the "U" feature, supposedly going back to before the Civil War.

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They certainly used it by the time of the War of Northern Aggression. here is a picture of the lower band on my 1862 dated '61 Springfield.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_2982XL-1.jpg

It actually started with the model 1855 series of weapons.