Rock Island 03 value

[jerrbear]

I have a chance at a RI 1903 with a serial number in the 129xxxx range. The rifle has gone thru a rebuild with a 11/42 SA barrel. S stock with no GG. FJA & crossed canons marking. Very nice piece. I have seen the gun but have no pics at this time. The receiver would be part of the units sent to SA that were finished there into rifles. What kind of value would be fair on this rifle. Again a very nice piece. Thanks

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

Is the receiver marked "Rock Island Arsenal" or "Springfield Armory"? If the former, it is a relatively rare piece; if the latter, not particularly uncommon. The rifle, as a whole appears to be a mixmaster with replacement barrel and stock.

[jerrbear]

Rick, Thanks for the reply. Rifle clearly marked Rock Island Arsenal. Serial No. 1293139

[Rick the Librarian]

I've got a similar RIA, with a 12-28 barrel - 1,293,257.

[jerrbear]

Sounds like yours has an original barrel for the time frame. If I read Ferris correctly he mentions that a relatively few receivers were stamped Rock Island Arsenal but were not serialized. Is that what you meant by being somewhat rare?

[Rick the Librarian]

Yes, there were four types of receivers from RIA sent to Springfield Armory in the mid-1920s:

1) Raw forgings
2) completed receivers which were unmarked
3) completed receivers with "arsenal" stamp and model number but no serial numbers
4) " " with complete markings (i.e. serial numbers and "ownership")

#1 and #2 are fairly common and feature Springfield markings and serials from roughly 1290000-1299000. #4 is also common, having RIA markings and serial numbers from the 375,000 range to @ 430,000. They usually have Springfield barrels in the 1927-1929 range

#3 had "high number" Springfield serials applied in the 1290000 range, like yours and mine. From what I have read, there were about 1200 of these.

[jerrbear]

Thanks for your insight. You are so helpful. I will be purchasing that rifle. Try to post some pics for you after I have it. Thanks again Rick!

[Rick the Librarian]

Great! Looking forward to seeing it!

[John Beard]

jerrberr,

According to my records, the rifle you're pursuing, RIA S/N 1293139, was listed on Proxibid Auctions, Lot No. 224, on 8 Sep 2011.

For your information.

J.B.

[jerrbear]

Interesting! Thanks for the info John.