Early Rock Island Find

[rcathey]

Jealous!

That's the type of 1903 I'd rather have in my collection than the recent Auction Gambling find (not that I'm looking that gift horse in the mouth).
A nice early example that fought "Over There" in "The Big One" is a pretty awesome thing. I'd probably convert it to 22 for quiet and safe shooting.
I'm drawn to Rock Island's too..not sure why, they're just neat to me.

Anyway, I agree with Jim. I would love to see some more pictures!

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I'd probably convert it to 22

Yes or perhaps a .30 cal insert, like a .30 carbine insert I once saw...

[rayg]

That's a nice early 1903 RI rifle. The serial number places it as off the line about 8-07. I have one serial #87241, with the bbl date, 6-07. That is original correct also. These are very scarce early 1903's still having original dated parts as they are one of the earliest standard production Rock Island rifles manufactured with all new and correct period made components in the very first months of regular RI 1903 production in 1907. It’s not one of the put together rifles using mixed Rod bayonet or 30-03 parts. Rock Island arsenal waited until the Army finalized changes in the rifle from the rod bayonet, to the knife bayonet, and then from .30-03 to .30-06. After final model approval, any parts that were already made the arsenal assembled into complete rifles and issued them out. All these assembled rifles will have mixed period receiver and dated parts. By about 1907 most of those misc early parts had been used up by RI and rifles made after that were made mostly with newly made parts with fairly close matching receiver, parts and barrel dates. See C.S. Ferris & J. Beard, pg 25. The rifles should have all the correct early 1907 dated components and a high wood stock with no stock reinforcement bolts, a split rear sight base cut out, and a no sight groove hand guard, also the small rear sight wheel and the Platinum sight line on the rear sight leaf slider. The stock should have a “CN” 1908 cartouche and an “S” stamp on the stock tip and a proof “P”. Very scarce to find early original manufactured R.I. 1903 rifles that have not been assembled from stored parts and especially one that was made in the very first months of normal production.
Attachment 93847Attachment 93848Image, Ray

[RCS]

Always nice to find the pre WW1 examples, I have RIA 64145 with a excellent bore RIA 3-07 dated barrel and the early square sided slide like on Rays Rock Island.

A few years ago I did restore some nice ( 3576 & 3670) Rock Island receivers from the CMP auction, not worth much but nice looking. Finding pre WW1 Rock Island barrels is very difficult but I was able to find early SA barrels in decent condition for restoration.

Best sub caliber insert that I have used is the 32 ACP or 32 S&W Long, both are accurate.

A total burned-out bore is best with a quality 22 rim fire insert and M2 bolt with headspace
adjustment screw, very accurateAttachment 93849Attachment 93850Attachment 93851Attachment 93852Attachment 93853

[MoMallard]

The rifles should have all the correct early 1907 dated components and a high wood stock with no stock reinforcement bolts, a split rear sight base cut out, and a no sight groove hand guard, also the small rear sight wheel and the Platinum sight line on the rear sight leaf slider. The stock should have a “CN” 1908 cartouche and an “S” stamp on the stock tip and a proof “P”. Very scarce to find early original manufactured R.I. 1903 rifles that have not been assembled from stored parts and especially one that was made in the very first months of normal production

Ray: I'm still traveling and will get some more pics up when I get back to the house. It's a one bolt CN 1908 stock with 10-08bbl. What's your take on the receiver date vs. barrel date discrepancy? The sling is also a TCC inspected Rock Island that appears to have either a 1910 or 1916 date depending.

---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ----------

Browning Auto: Still traveling. Will post more pics when I get home.

[rayg]

I can't recall when RI added the stock bolt and I had sold off all my books recently but I'm thinking the stock bolt might have been approved about 1908-09 or so. Not sure, anymore. Maybe some one can help with the answer, Ray

[RCS]

Ray, I think you are correct on the stock bolt, the groove was added to the handguard before the clips around the same time. The early handguard (flat top) is about impossible
to find but repros are available for around $75 sometimes. Any decent Rock Island cartouche from the pre WW1 period on a stock is quite valuable

[rayg]

Just looked up in the book and it states that rifles that were cleaned and repaired at "Springfield" armory since Oct 1907, had the split sight bases replaced with the solid one. And that would also account for your SA rear sight. The split one would warp and would be difficult to replace. So not so bad, your rifle just went to Springfield for either cleaning or repair. The book doesn't state when RI went to the solid sleeve but it's possible that if Springfield had them, maybe RI also initially installed them in the later 1908 serial number rifles like yours. So I would say it's still a period 07 rifle. Ray