- Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Serial Number Ranges 2017
- 1903 Rock Island Serial Number Lookup
- Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Serial Number Ranges 2019
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Serial Number/Barrel Date Lists: Springfield Armory M1903: Rock Island Arsenal M1903: Remington M1903: Remington M1903A3: Remington M1903A4: Smith Corona M1903A3: Steel Lot code / Bolt usage charts: Springfield Armory 1903-12 (S) Springfield Armory 1903-12 (M,B,C) Springfield Armory. Springfield Armory & Rock Island Arsenal Parts: 1917 Parts. 4/9/19 - This is a beautiful, scarce model 1903 rifle made by Rock Island Arsenal. This rifle has a case hardened receiver and early style straight bolt handle. During 1918, RIA ceased production to address forging issues with previously made receivers. Approximately 15k receivers from 270k - 285k were double heat treated (this weapon falls in that range). The stock is a type. These were used on the M1903 Modified, M1903a3, and M1903a4. Remington used at least 3 different Ordnance Wheels. 'RA' was stamped on the stocks after Smith-Corona began production of.
Did a search and didn't see anything said about this. Wondering if anyone has any info or experience past what I can find on the internet about this.
Just grabbed another family rifle, a Rock Island Arsenal model 1903 .30-06. After looking it up a little bit, apparently there's a danger in shooting the sub ~#250,000 rifles. Evidently there was improper heat treating to the receiver which makes it possible for it to cause seriously damaging failures.
The serial number on this gun is #129,120. Gun has some wear, and I know it's been shot plenty before without incident. However it has been sitting for a solid 10 years. Just cleaned, lubed and polished it. I only took a few pictures but I'll attach them.
Does anyone have any experience with these older Rock Island Arsenal 1903's? Thanks!
Leo
Bad pic of the 129,120
M1903 History
The Springfield M1903 can trace its design roots to the Spanish Mauser rifle so closely that many say that it is actually a Mauser design with only slight modifications. Despite these slight modifications, like a 2 piece firing pin, Mauser filed a lawsuit against the US government, which it won resulting in the payment of $3,000,000 to Mauser from the US.
The M1903, up until the United States involvement in World War I was produced by either The Springfield Armory (when it was federally owned) or Rock Island Arsenal and about 850,000 were produced up until that point. The M1903 was valued as a tool to the soldier because if its sheer power, high speed projectile and its accuracy. Also during this early time in the bolt action rifle's history, the introduction of the Pederson device (which was used to allow the M1903 to fire the .30 caliber pistol cartridge) occurred and modifications to the ammunition and sights were made.
During World War II additional manufacturers were added to the list of makers of the M1903, namely Remington and Smith-Corona (known for their typewriters). The Smith Corona M1903 rifle usually does not have any markings on the rifle, as many were produced in haste to fulfill the war demand.
By the time that the M1903-A4 was the Army's first standardized sniper rifle, but it was not well received mainly because optics were not evolved enough, with only low magnification and was prone to moisture gathering in the scope.
This rifle was mainly phased out of service before the Korean War in favor of the M1 Garand and M1 Rifles but is still used by honor guards and different drill squads.
Variants M1903 - changed several times between 1903 and 1906 M1903 NRA - sold only to NRA members and stamped with NRA logo M1903 Air Service - had a permanent magazine with 25 round capacity M1903 Mark I - A variation to be used with or without the Pederson Device M1903 with Scant Stock - The closest thing to a pistol grip stock that could be made using the older stock blanks M1903 A 1 - had a pistol grip stock M1903 A 2 - M1903 A 3 - was the version using cheaper parts for speedy production M1904 - The sniper version, usually with a weaver mount and scope |
M1903 Remington Serial Number Lookup:
Remingtons started production in 1941 with serial number 3,000,000, it was during this time that the finger grooved walnut stock was replaced by cheaper versions and the M1903-A3 was born. Visually they can be distinguished easily by the smaller aperture rear sight instead of the barrel mounted sight like previous rifles.
| B - Jan | L - Feb | A - Mar | C - Apr | K - May | P - Jun |
| O - Jul | W - Aug | D - Sep | E - Oct | R - Nov | X - Dec |
Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Serial Number Ranges 2017
Serial Numbers by date (factory record book)
1903 Rock Island Serial Number Lookup
M - 1921 N - 1922 P - 1923 R - 1924 S - 1925 T - 1926 U - 1927 W - 1928 R - 1924 S - 1925 T - 1926 U - 1927 W - 1928 Y - 1930 Z - 1931 A - 1932 B - 1933 C - 1934 D - 1935 E - 1936 F - 1937 G - 1938 H - 1939 J - 1940 K - 1941 L -1942 | MM - 1943 PP - 1945 RR - 1946 SS - 1947 TT - 1948 UU - 1949 WW - 1950 XX - 1951 YY - 1952 ZZ - 1953 A - 1954 B - 1955 C - 1956 D - 1957 E - 1958 F - 1959 G - 1960 H - 1961 J - 1962 K - 1963 L - 1964 M - 1965 P - 1967 R - 1968 |
M1903 Owners Manuals Downloads :
Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Serial Number Ranges 2019
From Remington M1903-A3