January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
Barrel length 24". Caliber .30-06. This is only the second example to ever surface. Offered is one of the earliest known National Match rifles. It was produced by the Rock Island Armory for the 1919 National Matches. The barrel on this rifle is stamped RIA12-18 with flaming bomb. There is an article in the Man & Arms magazine dated April 2001 that was written by C.S. Ferris and John Beard. A letter dated January 17, 2015 from John Beard states, as follows "I am pleased to confirm that your rifle, Rock Island Arsenal, Model 1903, S/N 375352 exhibits the peculiar characteristics of a Rock Island 1919 National Match Rifle. These rifles were the subject of an extensive article by C.S. Ferris and me that was published in March/April 2001 issue of Man & Arms magazine. I note the following pertinent characteristics of your rifle 1. The original polished curved handle nickel steel bolt marked N.S. beneath the safety lock. 2. The original grasping groove stock marked R.I. on the fore end tip and exhibiting the boxed 'OEL/1919' inspection stamp of the Rock Island Arsenal inspector Ora E. Lindsay. 3. The original Rock Island barrel marked RIA/shell and flame/12-18. 4. The original smooth milled buttplate. 5. The original grooved trigger. 6. The original Rock Island rear sight without the 2580-yard sighting notch in the top of the leaf. 7. The original parkerized finish on the barrel, receiver, upper band, and trigger guard. 8. The original nitre-blue finish on floor plate. 9. The presence of original Rock Island sub-inspection marks on bolt sleeve and trigger gun. 10. The presence of original serifed lettering on the safety lock, magazine cutoff, and lower band. 11. The correct absence of an H on the band. 12. The serial number that falls in the known documented range of Rock Island 1919 National Match rifles. '...noted that your rifle exhibited an old repair in the stock on the right side behind the lower band. I believe the repair may have originated at Rock Island Arsenal at time of original manufacturing'. In summary I find your rifle to be completely original in as-issued condition." Has an ME reading of 1.5. Stock is in excellent condition with no major problems but usual marks. Retains 85% original finish. Has a period sling with brass frogs. Documented 1919 Match Rifles with the beginning of this type of rifle that were manufactured until World War II and were considered the most accurate military bolt actions ever built. An exceptional and rare early rifle. Comes with the original letter and magazine.