1903 Low Number Rock Island for Desporterizing

[Bart212]

Arrived today, a 1903 Rock Island. Low number serial 140000. Came with an AV 3-19 Barrel. The stock was sporterized (needs to go). The receiver and all of the other metal still has around 80 - 90% finish. Has signs of use on the follower and on the internals of the receiver but the finish is really good, really smooth.

The barrel needs to go as the rear sight that's on it is rather crappy and the barrels headspace is too long and turns (hand tight) about 1/8" past where it should. (So watch the EE soon). Barrel is in good - very good condition with a bit of what looks like surface rust. Was told by the previous owner that the previous-previous owner took the original barrel off and threw this one on.

Some questions:

Which type of stock should I put on it scant or straight with or without handgroove?

Upper Band. With or without the stacking swivel built in?

Windage screw with bevel or without?

Barrel SA, RIA or RA?


Here's the pics.









Looks worse on camera that it really is.

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

The rear sight looks original (although the "7"s on the leaf should have straight bases). The AV barrel MAY be from a post-WWI overhaul.

A grasping groove stock would be correct. A 1909 or 1910 RIA barrel would also be correct, but they are pricy and hard to find.

My feeling, is that most of the parts looks "period" correct (post WWI) and I would be tempted to keep as many as possible, including the barrel. Rust can be cleaned off. The rear sight really can't be improved on, as far as looks. Considering it is a low numbered M1903, I don't think it is worth going to extraordinary means to update.

I would look for a stock, upper band and lower band and leave it at that.

Look on the top and bottom of the bolt and on all sides of the safety lug (about halfway up the bolt body) - what markings do you see?

[Bart212]

Hi Rick,

In regards to the Low numbered issue and the receiver not being strong enough to shoot would it be ok if I had a good gunsmith look at it and make sure it has a tight headspace? I was reading Hatchers Notebook and apart from the Hardening process he pointed out that some of the receivers failed due to loose headspace and the cartraige slamming back on the bolt and also read somewhere that the gasses would backflow between the casing and chamber to make the rifles fail. So if I did the due diligence of making sure the headspace was good it should be alot safer to fire than the ones that failed. Has a receiver failed in the last 30 or so years? or have most of them been found and taken off the market?

[Bart212]

The rear sight looks original (although the "7"s on the leaf should have straight bases). The AV barrel MAY be from a post-WWI overhaul.

A grasping groove stock would be correct. A 1909 or 1910 RIA barrel would also be correct, but they are pricy and hard to find.

My feeling, is that most of the parts looks "period" correct (post WWI) and I would be tempted to keep as many as possible, including the barrel. Rust can be cleaned off. The rear sight really can't be improved on, as far as looks. Considering it is a low numbered M1903, I don't think it is worth going to extraordinary means to update.

I would look for a stock, upper band and lower band and leave it at that.

Look on the top and bottom of the bolt and on all sides of the safety lug (about halfway up the bolt body) - what markings do you see?

Rick I just checked the bolt all over and the only mark I could find is a Rockwell B hardness mark with a T.

[Rick the Librarian]

If that is the case, a very early Springfield or RIA bolt.