My new (old) 1903 Rock Island that I just got.

[Fred G.]

This is the follow up on my 1903 Rock Island that I briefly touched upon yesterday in another posters thread titled; "Should I get this RIA?"
There you can read my thoughts on this rifle and where it sits within the framework of Double Heat Treated Rock Island 1903's, even though its serial number is below 285507, which is the often quoted and official first receiver at Rock Island that was double heat treated.
So, here are some photo's of it for your enjoyment and consideration.
Along with it, in some of the photo's, is a 1903 Springfield Armory rifle of mine that has, like the Rock Island Arsenal 1903, a barrel date of
7-18. Both of these rifles are similar in that they still retain quite a bit of their original finish on the metal and the walnut stock. Neither of them have been cleaned, sanded, abused or updated with later type parts as far as I can tell. The Rock Island 1903 has a Springfield front barrel band, rear barrel band, safety, and maybe a few others. John Beard tells me that the barrel and receiver are in all probability original to each other even though the receiver was made in early 1918. John tells me that he believes this rifle was likely issued to a WWI unit (too late to go over seas like many 03's with barrel dates this late) and that upon receiving their rifles, the men broke them down into parts and cleaned them, assembling their rifles again from the separate piles of cleaned parts. This is probably true and accurate. However, I'm left wondering why this rifle, though having a Springfield circle P (firing proof) under the wrist, also has a capital "L" (inspectors stamp) on the left side of the wrist. This L was an inspection stamp that was used by Ora E. Lindsay in 1917 and possibly 1918 who was an inspector at Rock Island Arsenal. These single letter stamps were used early on before the more detailed stamps within boxes could be obtained. I'm wondering if it is possible that Rock Island Arsenal could have, around the end of the war or just afterwards, sent some parts to Springfield Armory to be assembled into complete rifles there. This of course would predate the later 1927 or 1928 assembly of such rifles at Springfield Armory using Rock Island parts. This is just an idle thought of course and I will certainly bow to John Beards assessment on this rifle over my questionable hypothesis. John Beard tells me that this rifle is very likely one of the few thousand that were assembled using early Rock Island receivers whose serial numbers fall below the established 285507. These receivers, were double heat treated at a later time and used to assemble complete rifles for testing and issue. Anyway, it's all covered in my earlier post on that other thread that I mentioned. Oh yea, the bolt is an earlier Rock Island bolt with a D1 on the end of the safety lug, which would indicate that it was made in 1912 or 1913.
OK, here are the pictures of it that I promised...

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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Fred G.]

On pages 67 & 68 of Nick Farris' book; Rock Island Rifle Model 1903, it is stated that of the 16,000 receivers between approximately 269506 and 285506, there were some 5,846 receivers that were destroyed that had the old Single heat treatment. The remaining serial numbers in this range had apparently Not been heat treated and were, therefore, held back to receive a newly developed Double heat treatment. Each piece was tested by scleroscope after hardening and all pieces measuring below 55 and above 70 were rejected. Rock Island reported that most receivers passed the test and were eventually assembled to finished rifles. Many receivers below 285506 were successfully (double) heat treated. Ferris further states that "It is widely thought that "low number" receivers, which received only single heat treatment, are those below serial number 285507. However, it is likely that receivers numbered above approximately serial number 269506 are safe, inasmuch as receivers between that number and serial number 285507 were either scrapped or tested and double heat-treated."
I'm finally receiving today a Rock Island 1903 whose serial number is 268563. It has a barrel date of 7-18. John Beardicon, who has seen pictures of it has said that he'll have to look at better pictures, but initial examination of the finish of the receiver would suggest that it has been given a double heat treatment. He also said that the barrel appears to be original to the receiver. I'll post some good photo's soon on another thread after I receive the rifle this evening.
Something else interesting about this rifle is the receiver style letters. On page 69 of his book, Ferris states that prior to receiver serial number 268693 the style of lettering on the receiver changed to block letters without serifs. Since receiver serial number 268563 has serifs, it would suggest that the change over from serif to block letters took place between 268563 and 268693. Of course there is somewhat of an overlap in this transition, but the style of lettering on my rifle's receiver is noteworthy.











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[Fred G.]

[ABPOS]

Both are beautiful.

[Fred G.]

Both are beautiful.

Thanks! I only wish that my eye sight would allow me to use them effectively. I'm still hoping that I'll get a son in law or a nephew who will be into 03 Springfields. If not, one day I'll just sell them and the others off to someone who'll appreciate them. Better than having the step kids take them down to a pawn shop along with the Sterling Silver.

[samnev]

Thanks! I only wish that my eye sight would allow me to use them effectively. I'm still hoping that I'll get a son in law or a nephew who will be into 03 Springfields. If not, one day I'll just sell them and the others off to someone who'll appreciate them. Better than having the step kids take them down to a pawn shop along with the Sterling Silver.

I feel your pain I am in the same both you are with my 03's and kids that don't know a rifle from a cap gun, sad.

[Rick the Librarian]

I was having problems with my eyesight, as well. I shifted to progressive lenses, which seemed to make a lot of difference to the good.

[Fred G.]

I just recently had a pair of those made Rick. I haven't tried to shoot with them yet, but I really am looking forward to doing so as for the first time, I can see the road while driving as well as the instruments up close too! I'll let you know how they work for me when I take my 1903's to the neighbors 100 yard bench rest range. Without them, the peep is an overlapped double image! Can't tell which one to center the front sight in.

[Rick the Librarian]

With my old bifocals, the front sight was a total blur, now with progressive lenses, it is nice and sharp. The target is just a touch blurry, but not enough to worry about. Good luck with your new glasses - mine are a success!

[ABPOS]

I wonder if you'd have that problem with a thicker post and an ap. Like the Garand or Carbine. The 03A3 is still a pretty thin blade too though. I don't own a regular ole 03 but I remember the front post being pretty slight. Which is good for shooting if you can see it well enough. But not good for older eyes.