Very late number RIA 1903 I purchased today...a few questions.

[Fred G.]

The Horror... the Horror...

[Sentryduty]

What is going on with the magazine floorplate in this photo from page 4?

Does anyone know?

[vintage hunter]

Good eye. Actually what your seeing is part of the trigger guard rather than the floor plate. It's had the '''dog leg'' straightened to fit a custom stock or else the TG is for a commercial Remington Model 30. A common mod to do away with the pot belly magazine and give the rifle a more streamlined look. This and the ground RS ears make me think this was once a sporterized rifle someone has tried to restore to original configuration much as possible.

[Todd2]

Yes I replaced it with a new trigger guard I got for 10 bucks so it's the right trigger guard now. Plus I bought another 1917 off GB this morning for a good price.(see 4 pics) It was $699 (The 1917 is my favorite rifle followed by the Lee Enfield no 4 I just got...In fact I don't even mess with my M1A much might end up selling it not sure)
You know what I did pay too much for that first Eddyfield, but you know what? I'm not worried about the ears! (Oh the horror....) this was sporterized and put back like vintage hunter said. But I say, so what it's part of the history of this rifle. I'm a former Marine and I like Drill. This "horror" rifle is my favorite rifle to drill with. I like the fact that it's long and weighs a ton. I used to want a garand, but due to this freak Van Gough rifle of mine I no longer have any desire fore a garand. If I want to go Bang bang bang I'll take my M1a to the range. I did buy this new 1917 in these pics. Ya I wanted one with Ears, but I also love my Van Gough. As far as loss of money if I wanted I could part Van Gough out and make back 2/3s of what I spent. The rifle stock is awesome and could probably fetch $250 on Ebay (One that was no where near as nice as min jus wentry for jus over $200). The bore is basically brand new, what $125? I could sell the receiver on GB and maybe get $75? I don't know but it don't matter you can see me spinning this rifle and tossing it in the air in my backyard like the Silent Drill Team and having a blast.
I did just buy a Lee Enfield No 4 mk1 Maltby 1943 that is all matching and I think I got a great deal on that so I am learning. I got lucky the no.4 has a shiney bore also with perfect rifling I think it must have been replaced in 1949 with a factory thorough rebuild. Hope this wasn't too long haha
Decided to add a pic of my Maltby Enfield......

[Salt Flat]

Todd, These two are nice looking rifles. I hope they work out for you and are as good as they look.
Regarding the Van Gogh rifle--- Some Enfields had the ears trimmed like that in order to clear for a scope. Hmm--there's no sin in mounting a scope on a receiver that has already been modfied. See Promo's P14 thread https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=55879
Salt Flat

[Todd2]

Todd, These two are nice looking rifles. I hope they work out for you and are as good as they look.
Regarding the Van Gogh rifle--- Some Enfields had the ears trimmed like that in order to clear for a scope. Hmm--there's no sin in mounting a scope on a receiver that has already been modfied. See Promo's P14 thread https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=55879
Salt Flat

Yes I've thought about getting an A5 long scope on it. It will be a while before I can afford that now. Since I'm getting the second Eddystone I can use it for drill practice. Here's a pic I would use for inspiration.

[Todd2]

Hi I just wanted to let everyone know I put a proper receiver on this rifle buy purchasing a sporter. So I switched the metal and put the receiver with shaved ears into the sporter stock so now I have 2 proper 1917 and a sporter. I'll put 2 pics up on the 1917 forum. Thanks fellas hard learning experience.

[Fred G.]

Way Cool!

[TDH]

Good luck youngster and thank you for your service.