Rock Island Amory RIA Model 1903 .30-06 Sprg 24″ WWII Bolt Rifle 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1585
LSB#: 211006MW06
Make: Rock Island Arsenal (RIA)
Model: 1903
Serial Number: 275272
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (page 373 of Joe Poyer’s book, The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition) Barrel Date: November, 1918
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / ROCK ISLAND / ARSENAL / MODEL 1903. / 275272”. The top of the barrel is marked “RIA / flaming bomb / 11 18”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “P”. The nose of the forend is stamped “RI”. The magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF” and the safety is marked “SAFE READY”. The barrel band is marked “U”. The bottom of the bayonet lug is marked “H”. The bottom of the wrist is stamped “0”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a barrel-mounted base and under a removable protective cover. The rear sight is a “V” notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder marked from “3-27”. When flipped up separate notches and an aperture on the ladder can be used for sighting.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece hardwood stock has a straight grip, metal nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. A cleaning kit is stored in the butt. There are some scattered dings, compressions, light scrapes, and light scratches. Some of the marks have removed or damaged portions of surface wood. There are areas of oil staining and discoloration. The LOP measures 12 ¾ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some finish loss, patina, erosion, light scabbing, and little scratches. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Arsenal Rebuilt
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is strong. There is scattered erosion, heavier in the grooves. The bore has an M.E. of about 0.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The barrel has mottled thinning and patina. There are some nicks and dings on the barrel. The receiver has a patina, some thinning, and a few areas of light surface oxidation. There are two blindly filled holes on the right of the receiver at the rear. The bolt handle has some thinning, discoloration from previous oxidation, and a few spots of pinprick erosion. There are some little scratches, scuffs, and spots of light oxidation on the bottom metal. The screw heads show use. The markings on the metal are mostly clear, some on the chamber ring are light. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a NoBuckl sling and a bayonet with a leather sheath.
Our Assessment: When the U.S. Army was looking for a rifle design to replace their Krag rifles, they looked at the Spanish Mauser Model 93 they captured during the Spanish-American War. Other than changing the firing pin to a two-piece design and a few other minor alterations, the 1903 was, in fact, a Mauser design, and the U. S. Government ended up paying royalties to Mauser Werke. The rifle was well worth it though. It had a strong and reliable action and served the Army for over thirty years in two World Wars and would even be used in sniper variations in Korea and Vietnam. It’s fast .30-06 cartridge, adopted in 1906, continued to be the one cartridge that all others are compared against, whether it is for ballistics or felt recoil. This Rock Island Armory Model 1903 was made back in 1918 and likely saw use in and WWII. There is some scattered wear but this historic rifle will still be a nice addition to your C&R collection. Please see our photos and good luck!