New (to me) RIA M1903 #278,759

[Rick the Librarian]

I was helping a guy I met on the Internet go through a gun collection and he had a Rock Island that was going to be part of the deal. I bought it for $800 plus shipping.

It is one of the "transitional" Rock Islands made when the forging method was changed. Although in the "low" range, John Beard said it one of those which received the later heat-treating method.

The serial number is 278,759 and it appears to be correct/original in most respects. It has a 5-18 RIA barrel with a C104 steel lot code for you who are keeping score.

The stock is beautiful. On the left side, the wood has a quarter-sawn grain with some slight tiger-striping; on the right side, it has sort of a swirled grain which isn't shown well in the pictures. However, the stock has been repaired in two places.

The bolt is an original RIo and all other parts appear to be original.

Got this to fill the "hole" for a WWI RIA. This rifle joins another RIA transition rifle, #272,505.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Nice, nice, nice Rick. Very nice...

[Matt_E_Wright]

I just ran across this thread while researching a similar rifle that I own (RIA 275,660). You have a beautiful rifle. Thanks for posting the pictures. Your trigger appears to be grooved. Is the butt plate smooth or checkered?

Was your rifle Parkerized? I have a hard time telling from the pictures. I ask because mine has virtually no finish remaining.

Thanks,
Matt

[browningautorifle]

I just ran across this thread

You see it's two years old, right?

[Rick the Librarian]

Still have the rifle - 272505 went down the road a little while back. The finish looks Parkerized to me. The buttplate is the fine checked 1910-1917.

[sakorick]

Beautiful rifle and especially the stock!