High SN RIA 1903

[wineguy]

A couple of years back I purchased a RIA M1903 SN 381,298 BBL 10-18 in a RIA stock (RI on stock tip). It has boxed B.A.-W.L. cartouche and a half inch, serif P firing proof. It doesn't appear to be other markings besides a stamped rack number in front of the upper buttplate tang and a letter "D" stamped immediately behind the trigger guard. In reading Harrison's book he writes about rifles being assembled at arsenals to replace unserviceable/low number rifles. I was wondering if any forum member has information that might shed some life on the subject. Though not totally RIA parts (it has an H stamped bayonet lug, grooved trigger and a checkered buttplate), the overall condition and wear makes me believe it has been this way for a long time and not assembled at RIA>

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

Is the "D" on the side of the stock or on the bottom near the serif P?

[wineguy]

Rick- The D (1/8") is between the trigger guard tang and the firing proof "P". I'm working on getting a proper digital camera and learning to use it for rifle "shots", but at the moment I'm limited to text. Thanks for any/all info/insights.

[Rick the Librarian]

My guess is that it is a 1918 RIA that was overhauled at some point. Look at the foretip (the "wedge" of the stock you see when you look down the bore) - is there an 1/4" "S" or "RI" stamp?

Also, look on the rear sight leaf - if the bases of the "7"s are straight, the rear sight is a Rock Island; if curved, a Springfield.

[Calif-Steve]

It should have a very early 1919 RIA barrel on it. Most likely the barrel isn't original to the rifle. Vi Shooters site shows SA barrels showing up at around 385,xxx range, although some SA's show up earlier. I like RIA's and my 2 favorite '03's are an NM '03 and a very late 400,xxx RIA, real keepers.

[wineguy]

The stock is definitely Rock Island with a 1/4" RI stamped on the tip and by the shape of the stock comb. The rear sight leaf has curved 7 bases, ergo SA. I guess my question given a barrel date too early for the receiver as well as a number of SA parts (but correct for late 20's early 30's), is it an arsenal rebuild or could it have been built at BA from extra RIA parts a smattering of SA parts. Besides references in Harrison's book, is there any evidence that arsenals built replacement rifles? I also have another high SN RIA (422,XXX) that i got from the CMP with a SA 1927 barrel.

[Rick the Librarian]

It should have a very early 1919 RIA barrel on it. Most likely the barrel isn't original to the rifle. Vi Shooters site shows SA barrels showing up at around 385,xxx range, although some SA's show up earlier. I like RIA's and my 2 favorite '03's are an NM '03 and a very late 400,xxx RIA, real keepers.

I disagree -- the receiver is nearly 100,000 number up from the 285,507, which I believe was April, 1918. Also, most 300,000 range RIAs have a great variety of barrel dates. In my opinion, the barrel is original. SA barrels started showing up in the 375,000 range, but a good number in the 300,000 range still had RIA barrels.

[wineguy]

Rick/Caif.Steve- I appreciate the info/feedback. Even in Ferris' "Rock Island '03" book there is no approximate SN when RIA stopped assembling rifles. Everyone does agree that RIA continued to produce '03 parts after they quit building complete rifles.

[Rick the Librarian]

Sources disgree exactly when RIA ceased production and assembly. The last receiver was produced the end of June, 1919. Some sources say that parts production extended for a while after that date. There was a "run" of barrels made in 1922, but that was a separate "order". The last "earlier" barrel I have seen was March, 1919 - no 1920 or 1921 barrels.

[John Beard]

I agree with Rick the Librarian.

Fred's rifle very likely has its original barrel. But, the rifle has since been arsenal-overhauled and re-assembled from mixed parts, perhaps at Benecia Arsenal.

Rock Island was assembling rifles between S/N 375000 and S/N 400000 when rifle assembly was suspended in early 1919. About half the receivers in that serial range were sent to SA in 1926, along with virtually all receivers over S/N 400000.

Hope this helps.

J.B.