M1903 Rock Island......Information requested

[yoebuff1]

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

Information

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[RCS]

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

[browningautorifle]

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

[tomwatts]

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

[jarrodeu]

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

Jarrod

[Johnny Peppers]

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

[yoebuff1]

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.

[browningautorifle]

the U is for up.

I didn't know that.

[Rick the Librarian]

I didn't know that.

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

[yoebuff1]

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