RIA 1903 Springfield Build

[EddieB]

Picked up a 1903 Rock Island Arsenal sporter. I want to purchased the correct stock for restoration. After doing a lot of researh I am still having issues identifing the proper stock and stock markings. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Looking at the serial number (3775XX) I beleive that this is a RIA receiver that was assembled by SA. The barrel on this gun is SA 4-28 (I am thinking original). Found a posting that says that there were only 25,600 of these guns, so.... it is a little hard to find any info.

I am thinking that a Type 4\5 stock would be correct for this gun, but am unsure as to inspector marks. Any information or thoughts about the correct stock OR information on the gun itself would be great. Also since there is no stock hardware what kind of markings\hardware should I be looking for?

Thanks for any input.

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.

[Roy]

Hi Eddie. According to Vishooters lists, your rifle probably would have a had a late 1918 barrel, the SA assembled rifles were in the 400,000+ range. There is a gap in the dated cartouches 1920-1930 in Brophy's

Hope that helps.

[twh]

As I recollect from prior discussions the hybrid rifles run from around 370,000 through the end of RIA's production with SA barrel dates in the 28-30 range. The later the serial number the more likely chance that it was finished at SA although there are original RIA finished rifles in that range as well. One of mine is in the 400000 range and has a 28 dated barrel and a SADAL S stock. The other is in the late 377,000 range with a '29 dated SA barrel and I cannot make out the stock markings. To give credit where due most of my information on these was gleaned from posts by an d questions to John Beard.

[usabaker]

I want to purchase the correct stock for restoration

I might have a stock for this rifle. its an RIA stock with all the making, I know its an early stock but will have to pull it out of my gun case when I get home from work. I'll post some pictures maybe one of the experts can tell you if its a match.

[EddieB]

Tried to delete, could not. Sorry.

[EddieB]

Hi Eddie. According to Vishooters lists, your rifle probably would have a had a late 1918 barrel, the SA assembled rifles were in the 400,000+ range. There is a gap in the dated cartouches 1920-1930 in Brophy's

Hope that helps.

I did see that list, just was worried about the fact that it hasn't be updated in like 9 years. Then I found this list which indicates my serial being after 1919. It seems that RIA serial number to year of manufacture is a bit harder to determine then your average 1903.

I am now leaning to exactly what you said seeing that entry in the VIShooters site with a similar serial and a 1918 barrel. Tanks for the input Roy. This is why I always put stuff out there to see what others think.

---------- Post added at 09:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ----------

I might have a stock for this rifle. its an RIA stock with all the making, I know its an early stock but will have to pull it out of my gun case when I get home from work. I'll post some pictures maybe one of the experts can tell you if its a match.

That sounds great USABaker. I look forward to the pictures.

[EddieB]

As I recollect from prior discussions the hybrid rifles run from around 370,000 through the end of RIA's production with SA barrel dates in the 28-30 range. The later the serial number the more likely chance that it was finished at SA although there are original RIA finished rifles in that range as well. One of mine is in the 400000 range and has a 28 dated barrel and a SADAL S stock. The other is in the late 377,000 range with a '29 dated SA barrel and I cannot make out the stock markings. To give credit where due most of my information on these was gleaned from posts by an d questions to John Beard.

Thanks for the reply TWH,

So you have any documentation or links that I could look at about the hybrid rifles? I just keep finding conflicting information on the last RIA 1903s, my rifle is after that 370000 , being 3775xx. The most important thing to me is to do the rifle justice by putting it back into a proper stock. THEN I am going to enjoy shooting it.

[usabaker]

That sounds great USABaker. I look forward to the pictures.

Hey Eddie, I pulled out the stock and it is an RIA but it was not as good as I thought it was, at some point in its life an owner sanded so the cartouches are light the stock itself is nice if not for that. I don't know what year it is the receiver that was in it was not an RIA it was a Springfield Ser# 611998. If you don't find anything else and this will work for you PM me. Maybe one if the Springfield expert her can date this stock.

bill

Attachment 92254Attachment 92255Attachment 92256Attachment 92257Attachment 92258Attachment 92259Attachment 92260Attachment 92261Attachment 92262Attachment 92263

[usabaker]

More Pictures of it
Attachment 92265Attachment 92264Attachment 92266Attachment 92267Attachment 92268Attachment 92269Attachment 92270Attachment 92271Attachment 92272Attachment 92273

[usabaker]

Last Two
Attachment 92275Attachment 92274