ROCK ISLAND 1903 with SA 6/28 correct barrel??

[Shephunter]

I just want to say thanks to all of you guys for your knowledge. The information available from the members on this forum is an incredible resource.

[Scott_OH]

Originally Posted by USMC 711

I just ordered the C.S. Ferris book.

I did find this article from American Rifleman.

The conclusion, however, I do not interpret as accurate. If RIA Receivers are mismatched with SA barrels, implying a parts gun, then why have I observed the Rock Island Receivers of the 444XXX vintage mated to SA Barrels from 1927-1928, and not your typical late WW2 surplus Sedgley USMC 1943 or High Standard HS 44, and so on?

https://www.americanrifleman.org/con...model-of-1903/

My other criticism of this article is the statement that Springfield Armory applied their serial numbers to otherwise unserialized RIA receivers, in the 1.2 to 1.4 million range. I have never seen one RIA receiver in that range.

My conclusion if the barrel is SA from the late 1920's and mated to a RIA receiver, it is likely correct as I have never seen 1928 barrels on the loose.

I sold one of those high serials last year on this forum.

[Rick the Librarian]

I can't post pictures anymore, but I have #1293237 with a 12-28 SA barrel.

[98src]

I have a RIA M1903 rifle with a 406K receiver, a RIA 1922 barrel, a NS marked RIA bolt, and a EAA/RIA cartouched RIA stock. Any chance that this rifle was originally assembled at Rock Island? I can't get imgur to work for me, but I can email pictures to someone if they will post my pictures.

[jim77]

I am just learning about M1903 rifles. Recently I purchased a rifle with a RIA receiver #389XXX and a SA barrel dated 4-27. Based on the Ferris and Poyer books, and what I have read online in this forum it appears the receiver was one shipped to SA in 1926 for completion. I am hoping the experts here could help identify the origin of the "S" stock, with finger grooves and 2 stock screws. Only has a single letter D on left side and E on forearm tip. Maybe "T" in cutoff recess, hard to say. Has a circle P proof under wrist. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[jim77]

Thank you USMC 711 for your quick reply. There is no wood block or plug at forearm tip so not a converted rod bayonet stock. I noticed in Ferris page 66, where he mentions that for a time RIA used only single letters on the left side for the final inspection stamp. He shows a single capital "A" as an example. Searching online I found only one "S" stock with a single "N" is the same place as my single "D". I would post a picture if I knew how. I bought it to shoot it, and that is what I am going to do. Just hoping for some provenance on origin of stock markings. Thanks again. Jim

[jim77]

Attempting to post photos of my "S" stock markings
https://imgur.com/nzKDuTu

[John Beard]

Originally Posted by USMC 711

Hey! Are you the same John Beard referenced in Ferris' book, page 87?

Yes. Nick Ferris and I collaborated and wrote extensively. We hosted each other in our homes.

J.B.

[John Beard]

Originally Posted by USMC 711

Jim77's report of a RIA/SA hybrid rifle with S stock bearing the letter E on the front tip of the wood stock is significant.

I have observed E stamps, also located on the front tip of the wood stock, on Eddystone manufactured M1917 Enfields.

Ferris' book Rock Island Rifle Model 1903 points out early RIA rifles may have had S marked S stocks produced at Springfield Armory. Most RIA produced S stocks were marked RI. He also concurs that rifle stocks could have been swapped.

But Eddystone never made complete 1903 rifles.

The last recorded RIA marked 1903 receiver was 430742 July 1919.

It is a fact that Springfield Armory received all sorts of parts from various subcontractors to complete government contracts for those rifles in the late 1920's.

Comments are as follows:

(1) The "E" stamp on Jim77's stock is not an Eddystone marking. In addition, the letter fonts are different.

(2) Springfield Armory stocks were marked with a small 1/8" "s". Rock Island Arsenal stocks were marked with a larger 1/4" "S". Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal did not swap stocks.

(3) Eddystone never made any M1903 parts.

(4) Springfield Armory manufactured virtually every single part of the M1903 rifle, including the screws.

J.B.