Rarity of Original Pre-WW1 Service Rifles

[Fred G.]

If you throw in a Pepperoni Pizza and a case of Bilekin Beer, I just might!

[Rick the Librarian]

We may disagree about whether to shoot low-numbered M1903s, but I don't think any of us will disagree that they are the epitome of the military rifle-maker's art!

[Fred G.]

The rod bayonet rifles are the kind of art I was referring too also. Even parts guns, because the others don't seem to be out there.

There ought to be some out there somewhere Jim that are just sitting in a closet or an old building. or a very dusty gun cabinet. I guess they show up almost as infrequently as original Colt Walkers. Heck, even a mismatching Walker would be great to hold in one's hands. I guess that if somebody could assemble a complete Walker Colt from original spare Walker parts found in an old box within the old Whitneyville arms factory where they were assembled or even from an excavated bunker on Bannerman's Island, It could possibly still be defined as a Walker. I know that I wouldn't turn one like that down.
I've read an opinion that of the 100 or so Rod Bayonet 1903's that are known today, about 50 of them are reconverted rifles or corrected specimens or assembled from original parts. That the other 50 or so Rod Bayonet 03's are still in their original form. That number certainly IS less than the known Colt Walkers known to have survived.
I wonder if this rifle will one day be allowed to be part of an exhibition of Rod Bayonet 1903's at an NRA show or a big Gun Show somewhere like they had for the Walker Colts at that big Gun Show years ago...
Oh, of the Walkers that were accepted for the exhibition, I've read that there were three times as many more that couldn't be absolutely verified as to Provenance or originality. Seems to me that there must've been Walkers within those rejected that were indeed original. I've read that the experts looking at all of the Walkers submitted needed to NOT give legitimacy to a potential fake and so they had to reject potential or probabale originals. Just an interesting side note...

Texas Gun Collectors Association

---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:54 PM ----------

We may disagree about whether to shoot low-numbered M1903s, but I don't think any of us will disagree that they are the epitome of the military rifle-maker's art!

---------- Post added at 02:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------

Amen to THAT Rick. Even further, any and all U.S. martial arms assembled at Springfield Armory are in my opinion the high tide of mass produced quality arms production.

[browningautorifle]

The rod bayonet rifle would be one I wouldn't even worry about barrel condition, it could be a Buick tailpipe and it'll be fine. Much like a gastrap barrel. Date/time group is more important. As for showing it, display it at any of the shows with a disclaimer attached and see if anyone complains...or makes you an offer.

[Fred G.]

I'm fortunate that the barrel on this RB rifle has a shiny and sharp bore. I don't think it'd been used much after undergoing Proofing at SA. Just for the fun of it, let me see if I can take a clear photo of it and post. Apparently the barrel and receiver were obtained from one of the 1905 updated rifles still in 30-03. That's why it's still in 30-03 it seems. I wonder what was done with the original 1905 stock...? I suppose that one could alter the original RB stock to 1905 specifications, locate another early rear sight sleeve, find a 2400 yard rear sight leaf and an early slide, change the early butt plate for a later one with a bigger trap, ect. ect. to make a 1905 rifle in 30-03, but that ain't gonna happen.

[Fred G.]

Here's the bore as best as I'm able to get focused...

[Fred G.]

When did they quit using Platinum in the rear sights, and what was the size Peep in those slides with Platinum?

[RCS]

Fred, my Rock Island s/n 64145 with RIA 3-07 barrel has the early rear sight with the vertical platinum line, the peep hole is #4. My SA 160963 has a peep hole of #5 both peep sights are not marked.

I also have a #5 and I have #5 X out and stamped #6

I have a #8 and the USMC is a #10

[Fred G.]

Thanks. I found a #7 not long ago. I wonder if they made a # 9?

[rice 123]

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This original 1907 complete with sling and oiler I got off gun broker a couple of years ago no one bid on it I think I got it for 900