Early Rock Island 1903

[Joe Hardin]

Ray took me a while to strip the rifle as I have never done one before. I hope all of the veterans , especially my grandfather of WW1 and my dad of WW2. can forgive me. After a little youtube and some good hallow ground screw drivers I got it. I don,t think this thing had not been apart in forever. I hope these picts will do the job. I am missing the screw pin that goes through the bayonet ring and through the stock. The threads appear to be there so if I had one I think it would stay in. Please tell me where i can get parts.
Thanks for you patients
Joe

[Joe Hardin]

This one show the barrel marks better

[RCS]

Joe, You have a very early and I would say quite rare example of an original Rock Island 30-03 caliber barrel that was
re-chambered for the 30-06 cartridge. The barrel was cut back .20 inch for the 30-06 chamber and the rear sight was
also moved .20 inch as you can see the original sight base slot cut for the sight base pin.

RCS

[Joe Hardin]

RCS
Thanks much for the info. I see what you mean by the old pin slot.

[m1903rifle]

I just noticed that you have a WW2 Smith-Corona M1903-A3 part on your bolt.

[togor]

Joe that no bolt stock is in insane condition. No cracks in it that you can see?

[Joe Hardin]

togor
After taking the rifle apart i have been over it a lot and have found no cracks or problems with the stock

[John Beard]

Your rifle, RIA S/N 27686, was manufactured at Rock Island Arsenal in 1906 as a 1905 Modification rifle in .30-'03 caliber. Your rifle may have been assembled at the time of manufacture or may have been turned into Ordnance Stores as unassembled parts. In either event, your rifle was turned into Ordnance Stores and was not issued.

Your rifle, or parts thereof, was pulled from Ordnance Stores in 1908, altered to .30-'06 caliber, assembled, inspected by Conrad Nelson, and issued. The alteration process required that the barrel be shortened by 0.2" at the breech end, re-chambered, and the rear sight base moved forward by a corresponding amount, leaving a visible notch in the bottom where the base was previously pinned. The stock was also shortened by a corresponding amount so that the knife bayonet would still fit. The stock was marked with an "S" on the fore end tip and the handguard was marked with an "S" at the back on top to indicate shortening. The original hole in the stock for the upper band screw was plugged and a new hole was drilled 0.2" rearward.

New sight leaves were fabricated having range graduations for the new .30-'06 caliber. The first leaves used the previous early style leaf which did not have the ridge on the back to keep the slide from coming off. Your rifle is fitted with one of those early leaves.

And finally, your rifle was altered in early 1908 before the rear stock bolt was added to reduce splitting.

Thanks for sharing. And Merry Christmas!

J.B.

p.s.,

I also note that the original bolt sleeve in your rifle has been replaced with a WWII M'03-A3 bolt sleeve.

[Joe Hardin]

I just want to thank every one for helping me with the rifle. I had no idea my Uncle had given me such an interesting surviving part of history. I shall educate my sons about it and pass it on. they love guns and will appreciate it also.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas

Joe

[rayg]

John's the best! Nice early rifle Joe. Probably assembled just before the 03 rifle went into regular assembly line production or possibly at the same time because of the serial number and 07 dated stock stamp. Ray