Help! USMC 1903 or not...possible?

[islandhopper]

I saw one today at a gunshow. Could buy it tomorrow. Particulars:



1.2 million SA receiver that has a "circle stamp" - not a punchmark - just below the serial number. It looks like a small "o"



Barrel is a 1944 HS



Front sight has a "2" and a punchmark stamped on the right side.



Receiver has a hatcher hole. Not blued/looks like a light gray/greenish park color.



Stock is a very beat up C stock. I couldn't find any markings other than an "XO" or "OX" scratched in the forestock part.



Butt plate is a checkered variety with a small trap door and is stippled.



Bolt is a 1903A3 with some numbers electopenciled on the flat area (not behind the handle but on top) of the bolt (it's a Remington bolt)



Lower band is stamped not milled, but that doesn't seem like much.



Everything on this rifle looks old (the buttplate looks like it was mated with the wood for 30 years or so) and like it has been in place.



THe reason for the speed is I could buy it tomorrow for between $600 and $500 - the person is asking $600. Bore looks decent (looks like maybe some old speckles in there at places. I don't know what it gauges though. Didn't have gauges.



What do you think? USMC possible? mixmaster not worth $600?


Thanks all.

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[Calif-Steve]

Sure sounds like a Greek return '03 to me. Butt plate is checkered AND stippled? Sounds a little like a mixmaster, a better price might be $100.00 lower. A real 1.2 million SA bolt is not cheap. How nice is the HS barrel? Trying to find the correct barrel is a challenge. Good luck with this one.

[Lancebear]

Hey islandhopper,

Sounds like you have found a CMP Greek return. They put numbers on the top of the bolt root. Hatcher hole and stippled buttplate are USMC characteristics, but you need a little more than that. Especially a fully etched matching serial number on top of the bolt barrel.

The zero under the serial number is interesting. Could be wrong, but think SA put that marking on RIA blank receivers that they finished in the twenties. That's kinda' desirable if I'm right. The value in that rifle is about the receiver. Your choice. You want a Marine rifle and the stock is shot and the bore is a question, well.....It's probably not a USMC, but then there's that receiver...

Hard call without seeing it...could be worth five with that interestin' receiver if I'm right about that.

Regards,

Lancebear

[PeteDavis]

That is an RIA receiver finished and serialized by SA.

I have one in 1.29 range.

I'll take a flying leap and say it's worth $550.

Original barrel would have been SA from spring of '29.

HS barrels desirable if in shape and spec.

PD

[islandhopper]

Thanks guys for the quick response. I have a Greek return 1903 but I don't think this is one of them. There is none of that Greek bluing on the metal like mine has. And there are no Greek markings on the wood (remember, that X and O are scratched in not stamped). Also, my Greek bolt has a serial number etched on the back side, going down the handle. This one has some numbers etched in on the flat spot on top. The barrel looks fine on the outside (crown looked good too) and the owner did let me pull out the bolt to look down the barrel. It was shiney. I did some some little black speckles in there that could be powder residue, but then it could also be some kind of pitting too (it didn't look like it though). If there was a ton of oil in there that makes anything look shiney. Anything about the front sight with the punchmark and the number 2. Is that typical SA?

The buttplate was checkered and stipled. The stippling looks very old and worn. The stock is dark and there are some beat up areas but I think it would clean up nicely.

Is there anything to look for in terms of whether there is something wrong with the receiver or barrel?

Thanks all.

[islandhopper]

Also the owner never said it was a USMC rifle. I was just looking at it because I like old military rifles and noticed the hatcher hole and the stippled buttplate, which made me look for a punchmark near the serial and so on.

[Calif-Steve]

Buy it just for the receiver. Not common at all!!!

[John Hancock]

If the rifle is in the 1.29M range with the o stamped below the SN than it is a RIA receiver blank finished by SA in the late 1920's, and not very common.

[Lancebear]

Hey islandhopper,

Didn't mean to dis you over the possible USMC connection on hopefully your rifle now. Used to see Marine '03's all over the place until I was schooled by the '03 professor.

Well your rifle sounds better after your further description. Hope ya' bought it and will post some photos for us. Very interestin' rifle with that rare receiver and original barrel. Guess I would have jumped on it for six if the seller wouldn't come down a bit. Never hurts to ask.

Nice that the Hatcher hole lead ya' to the zero under the serial. Great find. Hope ya' got the rifle.

Good luck,

LB

[Rick the Librarian]

I'd also like to know a couple of more of the serial numbers. Not all Greek rifles had the bluing and most that I have seen had the last four digits of the serial number (not necessarily matching) on the top of the top handle in the "flat" area.

Here's a picture of my "Gold Dust Twins" with #1,294,444 in back (and the RIA in front). Although not easy to see, the Springfield has a small "o" on the ledge. JB may slap me, but I believe the "o" is a sign the receiver came from RIA.