Early Rock Island Basket Case Value

[pcaru1]

I have an opportunity to purchase this "basket case" Rock Island '03'. Receiver dates to 1917 from my research. Someone put on the RIA 05 barrel. Is this barrel an original 30-03? How can I tell if it was converted or not? Comes with the pile of parts. Some are correct. Some not. Bolt seems to be the right one for the date. The ding on the end of the barrel is REAL close to the muzzle. Would have to check to see if it damaged the muzzle opening. TE is 7 and the MW is 3.5. Rifle passes headspace check with No-Go gauge. Bore is dark with some ptting but has defined lands and grooves. No stock but I have one that might work.

Can someone ID the bolt labeled field gauge? I put it in and it is loose as heck to operate and closes easily. Don't know if I'm using properly.

I would like a restore project and want to know if 400.00 is too steep for this pile of parts.

All input is greatly appreciated.

Information

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[gunny33]

As far as the barrel goes you could do a chamber cast with "Carrowsafe" from Brownels or have a gunsmith do it for you. IIRC the field test bolt is designed to be used with headspace gages "in the field" to determine if a barrel or receiver needs to be replaced.

I'm not very knowledgeable on 03's, perhaps someone who is will chime in.

$400.00 seems reasonable [to me] if your willing to take on the project.

HTH

Bill

[Chuckindenver]

if its still in 30-03 then a 30-03 round will sit nicely...if not it will stick out a bit, with a TE of 7..id bet its still 03.. rear sight base has been changed, if you remove the base, you will see if its been shortened, value is worth the some of the parts.

[Salt Flat]

It looks like you have almost all the metal parts there. Just from a quick look I did not see a buttplate, lower band swivel, rear sling swivel. (was there a rear sight there?) Looks like all the action parts are there. I think the biggest factor would be finding a correct looking finger groove stock. Also the low number factor still bothers me. Having an all original low number is really desirable as a collectors rifle. However having a low number mixmaster doesn have much appeal or resale value. Now I still wouldn't mind having it if the price was right. The problem is a finger groove in decent shape is about 200+ IF you can even find one. So now you're lookiing at about $600 that is both questionable as a shooter and questionable as a collrctors item. For a few bucks more you might fnd a much better collector rifle. This is all just some outloud thinking about what I would consider before purchasing and definately just one guys opinion. Salt Flat

[Calif-Steve]

Indeed, this will be a Low Number parts gun. Not sure I would take this one on as cost would add up like crazy and you end up with a non-firing piece. Need to really think it through.