Should i get this RIA

[grimm]

new pics

[grimm]

more pics

[Rick the Librarian]

Given the "mixed" nature of the rifle, I think $1500 was at the upper limit. However, I would have had to take a closer look to tell if it was truly worth that amount. If a legitimate pre-WWI overhaul, it might have been worth that - but no more. If it was "seeded" with a few post-WWI or WWII parts, the value would drop quickly.

[samnev]

Be glad the deal fell thru. The 1903 with the 47K serial number is the infamous LOW NUMBERED receiver. They were subsequently withdrawn from service because of the brittle receiver that sometimes failed due to improper heat treatment. Any RIA below 280,000 and SA 03 below 800,000 is in the same class. I have an RIA (230K range) in the same condition the one you showed and I have had it for 40 years and never shot it. As a collectable they are fine but not for a shooter. Why take a chance that the receiver would let go.

[Rick the Librarian]

I agree it is a low-numbered M1903, but a lot of LN M1903s are attractive and would be worth having just to take out an admire.

Just for the record, the "cutoff" between RIA LN and HN M1903s was 285,507.

[Fred G.]

On pages 67 & 68 of Nick Farris' book; Rock Island Rifle Model 1903, it is stated that of the 16,000 receivers between approximately 269506 and 285506, there were some 5,846 receivers that were destroyed that had the old Single heat treatment. The remaining serial numbers in this range had apparently Not been heat treated and were, therefore, held back to receive a newly developed Double heat treatment. Each piece was tested by scleroscope after hardening and all pieces measuring below 55 and above 70 were rejected. Rock Island reported that most receivers passed the test and were eventually assembled to finished rifles. Many receivers below 285506 were successfully (double) heat treated. Ferris further states that "It is widely thought that "low number" receivers, which received only single heat treatment, are those below serial number 285507. However, it is likely that receivers numbered above approximately serial number 269506 are safe, inasmuch as receivers between that number and serial number 285507 were either scrapped or tested and double heat-treated."
I'm finally receiving today a Rock Island 1903 whose serial number is 268563. It has a barrel date of 7-18. John Beard, who has seen pictures of it has said that he'll have to look at better pictures, but initial examination of the finish of the receiver would suggest that it has been given a double heat treatment. He also said that the barrel appears to be original to the receiver. I'll post some good photo's soon on another thread after I receive the rifle this evening.
Something else interesting about this rifle is the receiver style letters. On page 69 of his book, Ferris states that prior to receiver serial number 268693 the style of lettering on the receiver changed to block letters without serifs. Since receiver serial number 268563 has serifs, it would suggest that the change over from serif to block letters took place between 268563 and 268693. Of course there is somewhat of an overlap in this transition, but the style of lettering on my rifle's receiver is noteworthy.

[samnev]

I agree it is a low-numbered M1903, but a lot of LN M1903s are attractive and would be worth having just to take out an admire.

Just for the record, the "cutoff" between RIA LN and HN M1903s was 285,507.

I agree that is what I do with mine.