New guy with a new toy

[750k2]

Just picked up an 03-A3 for local cast matches.
From the reading I've done I think it's one of the greek returns from CMP.
I'll see if pics work - stock has RIA EB mark 10/43 bbl 2 groove
Any side info would be appreciated.
Nice site by the way

Information

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[firefistace]

really nice, i bet you cost you some high $$$

[750k2]

Well I've been reading for days now and am thinking it is an arsenal rebuild (RIA EB)
The four digits on the butt do not match the last four of the serial# so a Stock switch??
Metal in the pics looks way clean so if the bore is close it'll do what I wanted.
Should have my hands on it this weekend and then I'll really dive in head first.

[browningautorifle]

Nice clean rifle.

[Rick the Librarian]

The rifle was one of the M1903s imported from Greece in the early 2000s by the CMP. The numbers on the stock indicate the last four digits of the serial number of the rifle the stock was mounted. The numbers on the stock and bolt were installed by the Greeks. The RIA/EB is a post-WWII inspection or overhaul stamp from Rock Island Arsenal. The bolt also appears to have been replaced at CMP. The original may not have headspaced.

Admittedly, one of the better-looking Greek rifles - but definitely a mixmaster; the barrel is probably original

[750k2]

I was hoping you would show up - I've been searching your posts for days.
Is there any other clues I should look for?
How did Rock Island figure into it?
What was the time line and circumstances of the greek and back connection?
Just trying to Imagine the journey this rifle has made.

[Rick the Librarian]

Although RIA ceased making major rifle parts (or rifles), they continued to rebuild and inspect rifles (and pistols) at least through the late 1950s. "EB" was Elmer Bjerke, who was chief of small arms inspection at Rock Island from 1947-58.

The "path" of the rifles sent to Greece probably included a trip by at least some of them to Rock Island in the late 1940s and then, to Greece, probably ca. 1947-49. The CMP imported somewhere between 14,000 and 42,000 rifles (accounts differ) about 2000-2001. To get these ready to sell, they had to, in some cases, replace parts, mainly stocks and bolts. Your rifle (assuming it came directly from CMP) had the stock and bolt replaced. If they were the original parts from Greek service the last four digits on the stock and bolt would have matched up with the last four digits of the serial number on the receiver.