Early 1903 Handguard

[David]

I recently acquired an SA M1903 rifle (394 thousand SN range with an SA 09-11 barrel)with a handguard that I have read about but never seen. It is "s" marked (at the rear of the hump) with the sighting cut and no reinforcing clips.

I have a 09-11 rifle with no cut and no clips and an early 1910 rifle with both the cut and the clips. So, I am guessing that the handguard with the clearance cut and no clips must have been restricted to a fairly narrow time frame. The rifle looks to be all original with no evidence of any changes or modifications to it.

Any input would be greatly appreciated as to your thoughts on this seemingly "interim" type of handguard.

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[David]

Just noticed my date errors! The new rifle is an 11-09 dated barrel and the other referenced rifle should read 09-09. sorry for the poor proofreading!

[John Beard]

The sight line clearance cut was officially added in September, 1909, as a result of National Match experience with the Rock Island 1909 National Match rifles. The clips were added shortly thereafter, but for a different and totally separate reason. The date has not yet been precisely established by documentation. We just know from serial number data and general documentation that it happened in 1910. Your description indicates that your rifles are indeed correct and perhaps original.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[David]

Thanks, John. Given the number of rifles I have owned over the years and have seen in various collection and with the dearth of rifles with the sighting groove and no handguards, I suspected that this particular type guard might be in the rare bird category. Maybe not of particular value but another variant in the endless stream of 1903 history and trivia.

[rayg]

Just to add another handguard to the mix. I have Rock Island serial #4664 w/bbl day of 02-06 that has a non sight groove handguard with clips. Of course I'm not sure if the handguard is original to the rifle but the focus of the discusion is on the hand guard groove and clips, Ray