Early Rock Island 1903

[m1903rifle]

Due to the non professional installation of the front sight base and the rear sight base, I think it is a good possibility that your rifle is a restoration.

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[boomer656]

Due to the non professional installation of the front sight base and the rear sight base, I think it is a good possibility that your rifle is a restoration.

Can you elaborate?

[RCS]

Here are some photos of the front sight studs or bases.

left is ram rod bayonet 1903 front sight base

middle is the 1903/05 front sight stud as found on sn 8485

right is the late 1903 stud used until the 1903A3

note the location of the stud pinAttachment 97017Attachment 97018

[boomer656]

RCS, Thanks for posting those photo's. That's a very impressive collection you have at your fingertips. Makes a great reference! By comparison, I only have one other 1903. It's another RIA made just after the heat treatment changes. (I did own a sporter when I was in high school that's long gone - remember the days when a high school kid could buy a rifle?). Anyway, I did pull my later 03 out to do those comparisons, but having the uninstalled parts to look at is even better.

Attachment 97019


The photo's I shared of the front and rear sights (& bases) were intentionally taken to show the specifics that were unique to the ramrod bayonet barrels that were shortened for the 30-06 cartridge. As you know, those things (that I am aware of) are the front sight base pin location, the exposed slot/keyway at the rear of the front sight base, and the no longer used transverse groove visible through bottom of the rear sight base. Since those differences are expected, I figure there must be something else visible in the photo's to have a determination made they were installed by a non-professional. Since I posted this thread so I could learn things, I'd like to know what those things are. Thus my earlier question for elaboration. When you're looking at these photos, do you see anything that raises a flag?

[m1903rifle]

Unless I am seeing things, the transverse pins for the rear sight fixed base and the front sight base are visible. They would not have left the arsenal that way. Also, I am wondering if the spline on the barrel for the front sight base is present.

[boomer656]

Unless I am seeing things, the transverse pins for the rear sight fixed base and the front sight base are visible. They would not have left the arsenal that way. Also, I am wondering if the spline on the barrel for the front sight base is present.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. You're eyes aren't deceiving you, the pins are visible. The spline does seem to be present. I won't be taking the sight off to verify, but there is something solid filling the slot about the expected depth of .2" in.