J-5 bolt

[Irish Mick]

found on RIA rifle #424790. Bbl date 6-17. Any significance to this bolt being on an issue arm? This is a totalt RIA weapon. Thanks.

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

Mick,

Is the J5 on the top of the bolt handle, or the safety lug? In either case, I believe it to be a repacement. The receiver dates to mid-1919, so the barrel, even though from the same "source", may be one, also. I speculate the barrel may have been taken from a scrapped LN receiver.

[John Beard]

found on RIA rifle #424790. Bbl date 6-17. Any significance to this bolt being on an issue arm? This is a totalt RIA weapon. Thanks.

Your rifle's receiver was one of those shipped from RIA to SA in 1926. I concur with RtL. The barrel was probably removed and recycled from a low number receiver.

The "J 5" bolt may either be original to your rifle, or removed and recycled from another rifle. It depends on where the "J 5" marking is located.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[rollins74]

This link is to a photo of the J5 bolt on my 1918-vintage SA M1903, which is correct (thank you, J.B. and Mike C.). As you can see, the J5 is on the safety lug.

http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/o...ingfield-1.jpg

[Irish Mick]

-John,
The bolt on the RIA is identical to rollins74 ( thanks for the photo) I had occation to see this rifle in the Arizona sunlight. There are two (2) firing proof marks. One RIA, and a later SA. The overall finish is a very dark green. The stock marks a correct for a RIA. Everything is RIA except for the J5 bolt. I believe that the RIA book stated that when RIA stopped production to do up grades on the heat treatment, they continued to manufacture parts, including barrels. He further stated that is was not uncommon to see high numbered receivers with earlier barrels that were attached when production started up again. All in all a very fine rifle. The owner allowed me to fince five rounds in his corral. Five (5) shots at eighty yards gave me a on inch long string. He baited me, and I took the hook.
Thanks for your help.
-Mick

[John Beard]

-John,
The bolt on the RIA is identical to rollins74 ( thanks for the photo) I had occation to see this rifle in the Arizona sunlight. There are two (2) firing proof marks. One RIA, and a later SA. The overall finish is a very dark green. The stock marks a correct for a RIA. Everything is RIA except for the J5 bolt. I believe that the RIA book stated that when RIA stopped production to do up grades on the heat treatment, they continued to manufacture parts, including barrels. He further stated that is was not uncommon to see high numbered receivers with earlier barrels that were attached when production started up again. All in all a very fine rifle. The owner allowed me to fince five rounds in his corral. Five (5) shots at eighty yards gave me a on inch long string. He baited me, and I took the hook.
Thanks for your help.
-Mick

The J 5 bolt in your rifle was made at Springfield Armory during the 1918-1919 period. I find no reason to believe that the bolt is not original to your rifle.

The RIA receivers in your rifle's serial range were shipped to Springfield Armory in 1926 and used as replacements during overhaul. The receivers/rifles were fitted with assorted bolts, but mostly straight-handled bolts recyled from low-number rifles.

The barrel on your rifle was probably extracted and recycled from a low number rifle. The barrel is not original to your receiver except perhaps as a recycled barrel installed during overhaul. The fact that your rifle is all-RIA, except for the bolt, may indicate that your rifle was assembled at Springfield Armory from mostly leftover RIA parts. In addition to receivers, Rock Island shipped stocks, bolts, barrels, and other assorted parts to Springfield Armory in 1926. The Springfield Armory proof mark in the stock is sufficient evidence to show that the rifle was not likely assembled at RIA.

Rifle assembly at Rock Island ended at about S/N 390000. The information in Ferris' RIA book is correct as pertaining to rifles assembled below that serial number.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Irish Mick]

-John,
I would appreciate your response to my final signal Thank you.

-The Irish Mick

[Rick the Librarian]

Mick,

I think John has been out of town for a couple of days and is still catching up.

[lonewolf]

Mr. Beard, As a follow up question, you have aroused my curiosity...What are the time frames for the J-5 marked on the lug, and those marked on the handle ? Thanks to you, RTL, and all for sharing your wealth of knowledge

[John Beard]

Mr. Beard, As a follow up question, you have aroused my curiosity...What are the time frames for the J-5 marked on the lug, and those marked on the handle ? Thanks to you, RTL, and all for sharing your wealth of knowledge

Follow the links:

http://vishooter.home.att.net/slc6_2008.html

http://vishooter.home.att.net/slc7_2008.html

And note the "Location" in the second column from the left.

Hope this helps.

J.B.