1050

VERY DESIRABLE EARLY U.S. ROCK ISLAND MODEL 1903

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
VERY DESIRABLE EARLY U.S. ROCK ISLAND MODEL 1903

BOLT ACTION MILITARY RIFLE W/ 1909 DATED BAYONET. Cal. 30-06. S# 157829. Bbl. 24" marked behind front sight “R.I.A.” “flaming bomb” & “11-09”. Ladder rear sight graduated to 2850 yards w/ volley notch. Dished grooved adjustment knobs. Blade front sight. This rifle is a very fine original specimen of a Rock Island produced Model 1903 rifle. The boxed “CN” (Conrad Nelson) final inspection stamp is dated 1910. The receiver markings & S# are block letters & numerals. Receiver has gas escape hole on right side. Bolt w/ straight down handle is unmarked made w/ single gas hole at bottom. Extractor has gas hole. Safety letters & cutoff letters have serifs. Matching walnut stock set. High wood buttstock. Boxed inspection stamp on left side over trigger guard is enhanced in white. Stock tip is marked “S”. While this mark is controversial & many theories abound, definite proof is lacking as to its meaning. The “S” may indicate a stock mfg. at Springfield Armory; yet this marking may be found on both Springfield & Rock Island mfg. rifles of this time period. Has circled script “P” proof under grip & tiny “J” assembly mark. Stock mfg. w/ single recoil bolt below cutoff. Handguard made w/ concave slope & sight line clearance cut w/ 2 handguard clips. Blued steel furniture. Smooth trap buttplate. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: nickel plated brass oiler. 15-7/8” fullered blade Model 1905 bayonet marked on left Ricasso “RIA” “flaming bomb” & “1909”. Right Ricasso marked “US” & “S#”. Corrugated walnut grips w/ birds head pommel. Model 1905 leather scabbard which had been converted to the Model 1910 attachment system. Faint scabbard markings include “RIA” & “19?”. Bayonet blade was blued the entire length, only traces of blue remain. Blade is turning gray w/ areas of very light oxidation. Balance of metal turning gray & patina. Grips have moderate wear. Left grip has approx. 1-1/4" crack. Scabbard is heavily worn. Belt hook attachment is missing belt hook & part of leather attachment. Stitching is loose & wooden liner is protruding at tip. Metal throat is overall patina. CONDITION: stock set has a very nice original finish w/ crisp markings, light wear & scattered sm. handling marks; however the buttstock, notably on the right side, has a lightly worn flaking appearance probably resulting from an early application of extra oil finish. Metal has thinning original blue. Receiver & bolt have turned mostly gray w/ traces of blue in protected areas. Buttplate, floorplate, bottom of trigger guard, & upper band have notably thinned blue turning gray. Front sight band has wear from use of an issue sight protector. Very good shiny bore w/ sharp lands. (22-4171/RW). CURIO. $2,000-3,000.