Possible USMC 1903, Rock Island Arsenal Serial #298156?

[Goopy]

Good Afternoon All and Happy belated Fourth of July!
I’m a new guy here and have come into possession of a 1903 Rock Island thru the estate of a family friend. When I got the old warhorse, the stock had been cut down for sporting use, but all else was good to go. As I went down the rabbit hole, I found that it had some of the characteristics of a USMC 1903. It had a hand stippled butt plate, Hatcher Hole drilled, pea green coloring on the appropriate receiver parts and vice marks on the barrel. It bears serial #298156. It doesn’t have a Sedgley marked barrel, but SA Flaming bomb 9-42 stamped barrel. As I said earlier, the stock had been cut up, so I put the guy into an old Greek 1903 stock that I had in the bin.
Does anyone have any ideas on serial number searches to see if this guy falls into Marine ranges? I don’t have access to SRS, so any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Goopy
Pics will be forthcoming, after holiday trips are thru- for being an old timer, it still is a good looking rifle Greek clothes or not…

[champ0608]

All of the characteristics you describe leave little doubt it was a Marine rifle.

Yours isn't a direct hit, but there are many Marine rifles around it, including one very clsoe:

298166 011731USMC
298471 092238USMC - CHICAGO
298474 092238USMC - CHICAGO
298791 091830USMC
298862 051931USMC
298867 041831USMC

[RCS]

It has been awhile since I have submitted this SA serial number 606103 for a check. Barrel is Rock Island RIA 5-18 (exc bore) receiver without Hatcher hole. Bolt is straight handle small s marked. I did install the rear USMC rear sight leaf

Thanks for any help RCS

[champ0608]

RCS, no direct hit on your rifle either, though the 600k range has quite a few Marine rifles. Here are the closest:

606386 082538USMC - SAN DIEGO (SURVEY)
606434 100426USMC - PHILA NSY (SURVEYED)
606641 011542USMC - SAN DIEGO

[cplstevennorton]

That serial range, barrel date, Additional Gas Escape hole, and barrel vise marks sounds very stereotypical of that era of Marine rebuild.

It sounds like a really nice rifle.

[Goopy]

Thanks for the replies everyone!
Back in town and will put some pics of the old boy up in the morning; remember not to bash me too bad for dressing him up in a Greek uniform- it was the only complete stock I had on hand…

[Goopy]

file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/d9/09/CD1D909A-C8F8-40C6-A926-87AFDFE4069B/IMG_1274.jpeg

If anyone has any further info on this 1903, please let me know. Also, if anyone has anything on the Eddystone, do the same. Enjoy the pics and thanks for the help this far!
Goopy

[champ0608]

No doubt a Marine. Another present trait of a Marine rebuild is the enlargement of the gas escape hole in the bolt. Nice rifle.

I'll leave info on the 1917 to others who know more about them.

Thanks for sharing.

[John Beard]

The handguard, lower band retaining spring, and cocking piece on your M1903 rifle need replacing with parts having potential Marine usage. Also, you need a stacking swivel on the upper band instead of a sling swivel.

Thanks for sharing! And good luck!

J.B.

[Goopy]

Thanks for the replies fellas.
One quick question- what identifies a USMC cocking piece and upper hand guard? If you have any pictures please send them and I can start the hunt!