Need help with identifying,dating and value of a RIA 1903

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dmills77

Inactive
Ok, first let me apologize for being so clueless but I am in a bit of a situation.

I purchased several guns from a retired Police Officer that I used to work with. In the mix I came across this rifle that he sold me mistakenly thinking it was a 7mm Mauser rifle and it turned out to be the rifle that that I am about to describe. I have no desire to screw him over even though he has said that if he made the deal and didn't pay attention, than he will honor it.

The rifle has: * Rock Island Arsenal with a serial number that is 3998XX
* The barrel has - "SA" "3-30" with the little flaming bomb.
* The stock has some hard to read impressions in the wood that look to be "C-SAA" and it has two circles #1. "F" the other #2. has "P".

the rifle is completely stock with nothing done to it. the metal has not been touched and has a normal old gun patina. the wood has normal bumps and dings with the normal old gun build up.

It has a Bayonet that is very long and has "PAL" "1942" and the little flaming bomb on it with black plastic grips


Can anyone help me to figure this out?

I was supposed to be getting a model 1895 Chilean Mauser and this is what I received.
 
Try looking up a 1903 Springfield from Rock Island Armory. I don't know much about these, others can probably be more help.
 
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RIA

Are you sure about that serial number? RIA ceased production at 348414. The receiver is from the Remington Arms Co. and is from 1942 for a 1903A3. See this link: http://www.bowersweapons.com/US MODEL 1903 RIFLE SERIAL NUMBER RANGES.htm The barrel is not from RIA but from Springfield Armory and the flaming bomb and date indicate that the barrel was proofed in March of 1930. The marks of the stock are inspectors marks. The gun was put together from parts. That is not a bad thing necessarily. Lots of 1903s were assembled from parts and sold after the guns became surplus. There is no real way to know when the gun was assembled.
You may want to have the headspace checked by a competent gunsmith. It is a few minutes work and should cost only a few dollars, assuming that the headspace is correct.
Understand that 1903s in any form are very much sought after. They are almost always great shooters.



Pete
 
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Value is a tough one without better visual information.
SA barrel is a replacement most likely. The serial number is low but If memory serves out side of the problem range.
Circle "P" for both the "F" is just worn. Sixteen inch parkerized bayonet and black plastic scales, with scabbard. Again without seeing the condition hard to put a price on.
The Civilian Marksman Program has a great forum and would be the place for more complete information cmp.com
 
My WAG is that you have an arsenal rework rifle.

[The rifle has: * Rock Island Arsenal with a serial number that is 3998XX] -
SN indicates a double heat-treated, above the SN285000 cutoff for "low numbered" US Springfields from RIA ("OK").

[* The barrel has - "SA" "3-30" with the little flaming bomb.] -
The receiver was rebarreled with a Spingfield Armory barrel made in 1930.

[* The stock has some hard to read impressions in the wood that look to be "C-SAA" ] -
AFAIK, "C" denotes an asenal change to a C-type stock, and "SAA" is San Antonio Arsenal - most likely the source of the C-stock if not the stock change, too.

.
 
I have a sporter made around a RIA receiver with the serial number 403, XXX. While it is correct that RIA stopped making rifles much earlier, there were a large lot of RIA receivers that were finished at SA in the early 20's.

Remington 03 receivers are clearly marked as Remington.

Given that your has a 1930 barrel it is clearly a rebuild.

The P means proof.

Your PAL bayonet was made in WWII.

A picture of a PAL bayonet can be found here. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t132911.html
 
OK, I spoke with my friend and he does not care that he gave me the "1903" rather than the the Chilean Mauser, he said that he was much more attached to the Mauser since he put some much extra work to it. I feel like I am a winner since the "1903" is a lot cooler being that it looks very original and untampered with. He added that he has fired the "1903" quite a few times over the twenty plus years he owned it and says it is an excellent rifle. I again feel like I got the better end of the deal since 30-06 ammo is much easier and a bit cheaper for me to get my hands on than the 7x57mm.

I will take some detailed photos and post for everyone to see and give me feedback on. I have intentions of cleaning it up a bit but I dont want to ruin anything , so I will wait for feedback before doing anything.
 
#s

Is it possible, then, that there are two receivers with serial number 3998xx, one marked RIA and one marked Remington Arms Co.? (And maybe a third...marked Springfield Armory.)
Kinda neat idea.
Pete
 
The rifle has: * Rock Island Arsenal with a serial number that is 3998XX
* The barrel has - "SA" "3-30" with the little flaming bomb.
* The stock has some hard to read impressions in the wood that look to be "C-SAA" and it has two circles #1. "F" the other #2. has "P".
Click to expand...

WOW!, I'm surprised everyone has missed this. The OP has a some what rare variant, a RIA/SA 1903.

Rock Island Armory (RIA) ceased production of 03 components in the very early 1920's. In 1927 a number of semi-finished RIA receivers, about 25,600, were sent to Springfield Armory (SA). These included a minority in serial number ranges of 375,000-405,000 and the majority in 405,000-430,000.

These receivers had SA barrels installed with dates in the 1927-1930 area. They normally have a S stock with grasping grooves and late 20's SA rifle components.

The real rare RIA/SA rifles are the 1200+/- receivers that were sent to Springfield with "Rock Island Arsenal" but no serial number; these were given Springfield 1290000 range serial numbers.

I own RIA/SA 426263, this rifle has a 1-28 SA barrel. The stock is a 1918 RIA.

Your "C-SAA" is the arsenal rebuild mark. "C" was the inspector and "SAA" is San Antonio Armory.

it has two circles #1. "F" the other #2. has "P".
Click to expand...

Both are a"P", it's a "PROOF" mark, one when built and the second at SAA on rebuild.

Apparently not many know about these rifles. I thought they were somewhat common knowledge. There is a added value to these as so few were made. Condition is everything, but I would not sell mine for less than 1K.
 
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Minor rust, but nothing too serious. A D.A.L. stock with a San Antonio overstamp. Looks like a good and serviceable piece that has some character.
 
PetahW

I would love to spend an afternoon cleaning that Rifle up for you.
It looks to be just surface rust, no real pitting. Hows the bore ?
 
Ok, the bore looks very clean and does not appear to have any pitting or damage.

the wood doesn't appear to have any varnish(if it did have its all worn off now)


I think I am just going leave the wood alone and work on getting rid of the surface rust and fuzz that is built up in the little crevices. I can say that the bolt and all the mechanisms are in excellent operating condition. The goal for this rifle is to use it to do some medium to long distance rifle target shooting. I had originally planned on using it on an upcoming pig shoot we are going to take part in, but ill just play it by ear.

Thank you everyone for your advice,attention and help with me and this rifle. I set out to get my first bolt action rifle and apparently I got a piece of history. Any way you look at it I love the fact its American Made Steele!! ,and I got a great deal on this rifle and a beautiful Colt 1911 .45 to go with it.

thanks again.
 
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