February 5, 6, & 7, 2019 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/5/2019
This is a seldom seen, early, pre-World War I Rock Island Model 1903 bolt action rifle. The barrel is marked "RIA" with the Ordnance bomb and is dated August 1912. The frame is stamped "US ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL MODEL 1903" with serial number. Features the platinum line early 1903 sight, graduated to 2700 yards with the correct dished knurled adjusting knobs with seams. Walnut hand guard has the high hump wide groove, which is proper. The walnut stock has the single rear stock bolt. There is a cartouche on the left side of the frame that is in a rectangle, dated 1912, with a script "CN", standing for Conrad Nelson, who went to Rock Island in 1904 from Springfield and worked with them until 1918. The wrist has a very light cursive "P" in a circle. Buttplate is finely checkered with trapdoor. Has all milled parts. Comes with a front sight cover. Every part of this rifle is correct for a Rock Island 1903 Model. CONDITION: Wood is very good to excellent. All visible markings with just nominal minor storage dings. Floorplate and trigger guard are basically soft grey patina with some minor age freckling. The frame is similar to the trigger guard in that it is a homogeneous grey-plum smooth patina with razor sharp markings. ME reading: 2 with a touch of corrosion on the left side of barrel approximately the size of a small fingernail. TE reading: 3. A beautiful, all original, untouched, Rock Island pre-World War I 1903 rifle.