Rock Island M1903 Finish Question

[NMC_EXP]

Greetings to all

Col. Brophy does not have a lot to say about the Model 1903 rifles produced at Rock Island Arsenal so I will ask the experts here.

1. When did RIA switch from bluing/browning to Parkerizing?

2. Thinking specifically of a rifle with a 1918 receiver and a 10-18 dated RIA barrel. Was this rifle originally Parkerized or blued?

Thanks and best regards.

Jim

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

IIRC, Parkerized finishes were introduced a few months before Springfield. What are at least the first few digits arof your serial number?

[NMC_EXP]

Rick

The s/n is 394896.

Jim

[tomwatts]

Most sources put your s/n receiver at 1919, probably produced as a spare reciever, it was also probably shipped to SA in later years and assembled well after 1919, and it would have been parked!

[barbarossa]

My Rock Island 1903 s/n 382881 with 11-18 dated RIA barrel has a blackish colored phosphate finish. I believe this is correct for the late Rock Islands.

[Rick the Librarian]

Most sources put your s/n receiver at 1919, probably produced as a spare reciever, it was also probably shipped to SA in later years and assembled well after 1919, and it would have been parked!

I believe JB has said that about 50% of RIA eceivers after the 375,000 range were shipped to Springfield, and nearly all after 400,000. With a 10-18 barrel, I believe Jim's rifle was (at least originally) produced at Rock Island.

[Emri]

My Rock Island 1903 s/n 382881 with 11-18 dated RIA barrel has a blackish colored phosphate finish. I believe this is correct for the late Rock Islands.

Yes it is. They are parkerized and the color is quite dark.

[Promo]

I believe JB has said that about 50% of RIA eceivers after the 375,000 range were shipped to Springfield, and nearly all after 400,000. With a 10-18 barrel, I believe Jim's rifle was (at least originally) produced at Rock Island.

I have one high S/N RIA (417.XXX) with a SA 10-42 barrel. Would that mean the rifle was completed at SA and it could be that this was the original manufacturing? Rifle features a straight stock with finger grooves, AAR, DAL and CN above 1909 markings. If the rifle was assembled at SA, which markings would the bolt have?

[barbarossa]

Promo, your rifle was likely assembled at Springfield in the early interwar era. The barrel is a WWII replacement of Springfield manufacture. Your stock is off a Rock Island production rifle made in 1909. It should be a one recoil lug stock but has likely been upgraded to two lugs, correct? "DAL" was a late WWI/Early interwar period Springfield inspector. His initials were likely applied at the time of refurbishment at Springfield Arsenal when the second stock lug would have been installed following WWI. There may also be two 'Circle/P' proof marks on the wrist too, not just one.

Of course, if your gun has only one stock lug, then I could well be mistaken. Just a good educated guess...

[Rick the Librarian]

Promo, chances are that your receiver was assembled at Springfield with a barrel in the 1927-1930 range. The barrel was probably replaced in mid-WWII (remember the date only states when the barrel was made not installed.

I would say there is a slight chance your receiver was "kept back" as a spare receiver until the 1942 barrel was installed, but not likely.

Interesting stock, with the CN AND DAL stamp!