John Beard-question re: floor plates

[Chuck Russell]

Dear Mr. Beard, In August you viewed photos on this web site of a M1903 rifle. You very expertly broke down the various parts on the rifle as to their period of use. I was intrigued by your comment that the floor plate on the rifle was manufactured by Rock Island. How can one tell the difference between a floor plate manufactured by RIA and one produced by Springfield Armory? Your help, as always, will be greatly appreciated.

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

they only ones i know that are RIA for sure, have a small flaming bomb stamped on them.
hope John answers, id like to know myself.

[Chuck Russell]

This is the photo of the rifle and floor plate that Mr. Beard commented on. Thanks for the original. I think it was C & R Fan or something in that vein.

[Chuckindenver]

could be the bevel on the end, i remember something to th effect that one has a noticable bevel, the other doesnt..
id really have to dig out Ferris,s book for sure.
im sure John will know off the top of his head.

[John Beard]

Springfield Armory floorplates have a nicely rounded front lip. Most RIA floorplates have a crudely-rounded front lip, or as in most cases, no rounding at all.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[RBruce]

Thanks for the information. Any one have photos of each?

[Chuck Russell]

Mr. Beard, thanks for your help. You have a wealth of knowledge, a National Treasure. When are you going to publish the "Book of Secrets" on the M1903?

[Calif-Steve]

JB:
Will a RIA floorplate have an Ordnance Bomb stamp on it? What about the RIA Triggerguard? Thank you.

[John Beard]

JB:
Will a RIA floorplate have an Ordnance Bomb stamp on it? What about the RIA Triggerguard? Thank you.

Starting in very early 1919, RIA trigger guards and floorplates have an ordnance bomb stamped on them. The ordnance bomb appears on the inside surface of the floorplate adjacent to the "foot" and on the back left bow of the trigger guard.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Chuckindenver]

i think they came with and without..i have a large box of floorplates, ill have to go through them again.
i know i have a bomb marked one on my RIA..
iv installed as many bomb marked parts as i can find on it.
bolt, extractor, floorplate, follower, front sight, safety, safety sleeve.