Help with RIA 1903

I recently purchased a Rock Island Arsenal 1903. I'm not much of a milsurp guy but the rifle is in wondrous condition and I got it for $300 from a family friend. The wood is beautiful....it seriously looks like it came from the factory but yet it has initials and what I am assuming are some sort of proof marks in various areas. The serial number is 393XXX and is from what I understand totally safe to shoot. It has a barrel marked SA with the "flaming bomb" ordnance stamp and 10-17. Doing some research I found this was a Springfield Armory barrel made in October 1917. And from looking up serial numbers of RIAs I believe I am safe in assuming it was manufactured in 1918 or 1919. What concerns me is why a 1917 barrel was on a gun of later manufacture. From what I've read its usually the other way around and quite common to find barrels from later years on these. I am also looking for a value on it. The parkerizing (or what I am assuming is parkerizing) is BEAUTIFUL! It does not have a spot of rust, corrosion, or pits of any sort anywhere on it.....besides a small ding or two which isn't noticeable. The bore is good....it's a tad dark but the rifling looks good and it appears to have 4 grooves. It di include what appears to be an original sling although it is badly rotted on one end and it had the cleaning rod in the butt. Is it safe to assume this is an original rifle and not reworked? And if it isn't.....how much is it worth anyway? Hoping you Milsurp guys can help as I know very little!

The barrel is a replacement, added at a different time. It most likely came off a low numbered rifle whose receiver was scrapped. Keep in mind the barrel may have been installed years later. If you can post some pictures, we can possibly give you an idea as to value.

1) What type of stock (grasping grooves, scant etc.) and any markings?

2) Any markings on the bolt?

Thank you for your response. It does have the grasping grooves on the stock and the stock has not been modified or cut down. Unfortunately I don't have any photos nor access to the rifle until July 12th. I came across it from a family friend on the last day of my weekend off and we spend the weekends off on family owned property/range, and I left the gun at my sisters who is also located on the property (100 miles away). I wasn't sure I wanted it as I own nearly a half dozen 30-06s. But on the way home I made my decision and called my sister to tell her to tell our friend the check was in the mail. To be honest....the thing looks brand new. If it wasn't for being a bolt action I kinda thought the guy was handing me a NEW Springfield M1A at first glance. It is clean. Any way you can tell me what a decent value on this would be just from what I can tell you? I paid $300. I hope it wasn't too much.

Eric, if the rifle is in good shape as you said, has original parts, original stock, you paid a fire-sale price for the rifle. Here in South Carolina most 1903 goes for 3 time the price you paid, and they aren't in that good of shape. Prices on rifles in really good shape go over $1100-1600. You got a really good deal. Rick is right about pictures, with them there are knowledgeable individuals who can give you a more accurate worth of the rifle.

Owen

A non-grasping groove stock is also a replacement. But, for $300 you got an excellent deal. Assuming the bore is in good shape, maybe 1/2 what the going rate would be.

Here are some photos. I had my sister look it over. She couldn't find any letters or numbers besides the obvious and an R marked on the bolt. I was wrong, it is not a grooved stock. Hopefully with these photos you can give me an idea of what it is worth as I do plan on selling.

Look like a really nice rifle, it been rebuild during WW2 (non-grasping groove stock without 03A3 upper guard retainer ring cuts, Remington safety collar & striker rod). Here in Carolinas most LGS and at gun show asking prices tend to run $1200-1500 if the barrel in decent shape. But those rifle don't move that fast, IMO $700-$800 ish, may be a little more is more realistic since it been rebuild. I guest it may have rebuilt 1943-44 time frame. For $300 you got a really good deal.
Owen

In most parts of the country, I'd say more like $600-700, if the bore is in good condition. A definite mixmaster.

Thanks for the feedback guys. It is currently up for sale.

Is it just me or is that a straight bolt?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Detroit-1

Is it just me

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No, it looks like a straight bolt...

Sorry...totally not a milsurp guy (as you may have already figured out). What is the significance of a straight bolt? Good or bad thing?

In General terms, the appearance of the bolt handle and the degree to which it sweeps rearward may indicate whether the bolt itself is a single heat treat variety or double heat treat example. Bolt handles that sweep rearwards have been identified as the DHT type although some later straight bolts intercede the DHT period at time of manufacture. The bolt type that accompanies a particular serial range would indicate being correct for the period when the receiver was made. DHT bolts are preferred for SA over# 800,000 shooters because it is believed they were not embrittled during the manufacturing process. SHT bolts are known for their more fluid contact with the receiver ways when being manipulated and are smoother. All o3A3 bolts are DHT unless they have been replaced with something else. Some organizations do not allow the SHT variety for safety purposes because it is impossible to detect the possibility of being over-hardened without a destructive test.

Not that reality matters, BUT the Army never recalled the early bolts. The bolts were not the problem, it was the receivers that were the problem. Just a historical fact.