Rock Island Arsenal

[fboyj]

After reading the article in American Rifleman it was stated that IH got the contract to produce the Garand so as to spread small arms production to private industry. Also another objective was to decentralize small arms production away from the northeast and gun valley. This was tried because of the fear that a few Russian nuclear bombs would cripple small arms production in America.

[Flying10uk]

I have now had a look at my 03 and can confirm that the only markings on the stock are R.I.A. on the right side of the stock near the end of the bolt handle and 2 letter "P"s on the pistol grip. The rest of the rifle is fully Remington marked with the barrel dated 7-43 just behind the foresight. On the underside of the barrel below the foresight is an "F" stamp. The receiver, above the breech, is marked U.S., Remington, model 03-A3, 3798050. There is also a "8" within a circle near the end of the bolt. The rifle is in almost mint condition looking as if it has never been issued but is a U.K. deactivated weapon. The dealer who I purchased it from told me that when he imported them they had been "de-milled" in the states for use as drill rifles but then he had to do some further work to them in order to bring them up to U.K. spec de-activation.

[NMC_EXP]

Rock Island Arsenal is still in operation. Here is a link to the .mil website:

USAG-RIA Home Page


There is a lot of manufacturing and overhaul capability there.

Interesting features include: Confederate POW cemetery, excellent small arms museum, the second largest residence in the US govt inventory, that being Quarters One. Largest residence is the White House.

Regarding Quarters One, it was built by Gen. Rodman. Seems he built himself a commanders quarters at Letterkinney. Congress thought it was too expensive and banished him to the western frontier. There he proceeded to build himself a larger house, Quarters One.

There are imported Italian marble fireplaces in each room on the 1st and 2nd floors. The brass and bronze decorative pieces such as door knobs, hinges, fireplace andirons...etc were cast at the arsenal using melted down cannon barrels and other GI hardware.

Rodman developed a water cooled casting process which increased the strength of the casting and reduced the risk of barrels bursting. Rodmans were enormous coastal defense guns. The largest had a 20 inch bore, range was 8.000 yards and the barrel weighed 115,000 lb.

Rodman gun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you are in the area, the place is well worth a visit.

RIA was home to my brothers last command. I was fortunate to be a guest at Quarters One a few times.