+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Need opinions on Rock Island 1903...

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    tinbender's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    02-02-2014 @ 09:25 AM
    Posts
    33
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:55 PM

    Need opinions on Rock Island 1903...

    My friend picked-up this rifle today. You'll have to pardon the back ground. I shot the pictures in the back of his van.

    He is interested to know how much is original based upon the pictures, epsecially the stock. As you can see it is a double-lugged, finger groove stock. It has a W.E.S. cartouche with the eagle head stamp next to it. It is not marked RI on the end of the stock. SA perhaps? It has very nice bore on the 10-18 dated R.I.A barrel. The sling is dated 1918. Any help or information will be appreciated and will be passed along.

    Mike

    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last On
    10-27-2024 @ 01:35 AM
    Location
    Sweet Home Alabama
    Posts
    1,091
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:55 PM
    The rifle is a parts queen.

    The stock is from a 1918 Springfield Armory rifle. The trigger is from a pre-1911 rifle. The magazine cutoff is from a pre-WWI rifle. The Rear Sight Fixed Base appears to be a replacement. The receiver and bolt sleeve are refinished. The rear sight is a replacement. The handguard is a clever fake.

    And that's just what I can see. I'm confident that what I can't see is equally mixed.

    Hope this helps.

    J.B.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    tinbender's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    02-02-2014 @ 09:25 AM
    Posts
    33
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:55 PM
    Thread Starter
    John,

    Thanks for the reply. I know that he's gonna be a little disappointed, but that's the chance he took when he traded for it. I know he doesn't have a whole lot in it ($450), so that might soften the blow a little.

    Thanks again!

    Mike

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last On
    10-27-2024 @ 01:35 AM
    Location
    Sweet Home Alabama
    Posts
    1,091
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:55 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by tinbender View Post
    John,

    Thanks for the reply. I know that he's gonna be a little disappointed, but that's the chance he took when he traded for it. I know he doesn't have a whole lot in it ($450), so that might soften the blow a little.

    Thanks again!

    Mike
    If he only has $450 in it, then he has no grounds to complain or feel shortchanged. The rifle is an outstanding buy at that price. If it were any nicer, he would be guilty of a criminal act!

    J.B.

  7. Thank You to John Beard For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Kirk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-19-2012 @ 03:18 PM
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    550
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:55 PM
    WES stands for W.E. Strong & his cartouche may be found on Colt M1911 Pistols & M1903 Rifles 1909-1918.

    The S/N dates to 1907 which makes it a Low Number (below 800000) Single Heat Treatment receiver. See ViShooters excellent website, http://vishooter.home.att.net/m1903.html

    The bolt appears to have a staight handle which most probably makes it a SHT bolt. What markings are on the bolt handle or safety lug? John Beardicon has an excellent chart on ViShooter's website that allows you to date your bolt. Few straight handle bolts have the improved, Double Heat Treatment. The best known DHT bolt with a straight handle is marked "J 5" on the safety lug. But, the "J 5" bolt bears the distinction of bridging the transition from straight to swept handle.


    Since the receiver & bolt have the SHT, most people consider them unsafe or at least have an increased risk of shattering when fired. This has been discussed on CSPicon at length several times. To sum up the discussion, some LN receivers were heated too hot during manufacture to the point the steel was burned and the grain structure affected. The burned steel is brittle. No definitive way is known to identify what receivers were burned and which were not and thus determine how strong any particular receiver is and which are likely to fail. The problem is the marginal strength of burned steel. Its strength is reduced but is adequate for a round of ball ammunition. But, if a cartridge has a pierced primer or splits on firing, the force of the gas escaping into the action exceeds the strength of the steel and causes the receiver to shatter or blow up. These receivers are known as Single Heat Treatment (SHT) receivers; later ones were double heat treated (DHT) or nickle steel (NS) and are much stronger.

  9. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Arisaka99's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    05-11-2023 @ 09:23 PM
    Location
    NC
    Age
    60
    Posts
    119
    Real Name
    Brad B
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:55 PM

    No

    You need to check your SN chart. You have given the correct date for a Springfield receiver... this is Rock Island and is serial-ed well past LN receiver issues.

  10. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Johnny Peppers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-01-2015 @ 11:25 PM
    Posts
    1,810
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:55 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Kirk View Post
    WES stands for W.E. Strong & his cartouche may be found on Colt M1911 Pistols & M1903 Rifles 1909-1918.
    W. E. Strong was a provisional inspector at Colt for a brief time in 1916. The letter S will be found on the receiver, slide, and barrel of those pistols, but the pistols themselves will have the cartouche of Major Gilbert H. Stewart.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Rock Island 1903
    By Navy Gunner in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 05-13-2011, 01:09 PM
  2. Rock Island 1903's
    By KenK in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-07-2009, 09:31 PM
  3. Reference Thread - Rock Island Auction Company (September 6, 7, & 8, 2008)
    By Badger in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-17-2008, 09:13 AM
  4. Reference Thread - Rock Island Auction Company (September 6, 7, & 8, 2008)
    By Badger in forum Commercial Auction and Sale "Gossip"
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-17-2008, 09:02 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts