Low serial number 1903

[Rburney]

I purchased a Rock Island Armory 1903 rifle a while back. It is a very nice example. The serial number on this gun 359. According to a website on 1903’s this was made in 1905 and my rifle has a 05 dated barrel. I am trying to figure out how the low serial number impacts the value especially when it appears to still have the original barrel. I have not seen a 1903 serial number anywhere near this low. Any 1903 experts out there?

 

[2in1evtime]

I own several o3's myself but haven't ran across anything that low ever, Nice find!!!!!

 

[rob63]

I would think that there would be considerable interest in a rifle with a number that low with the original barrel. However, your photos and description don't really give much information about the overall originality and condition, so it's rather difficult to assess it.

Assuming it has been through a rework and the only thing original is the barrel/reciever combination, it probably adds a couple hundred dollars. If it is all as issued and untouched, it would likely be worth a pretty healthy sum.

I'm reasonably certain that a serial number that low was once a rod bayonet rifle that was recalled and reworked with a new barrel, etc. to confirm to the 1905 pattern. Have you measured the barrel? There is a chance it is a 30-03 barrel instead of a 30-06.

 

[Rburney]

Here are some more pictures of the rifle.

 

[indyjohn]

I have done a lot of research on the 1903, focused on Springfields. But in any form I would call that a Unicorn.

Quoting wikipedia.org : "Since the new .30-06 was shorter than the .30-03, it could fire in 1903 rifle but resulted in poor accuracy. The 1903 rifles were all recalled, fitted with the Model of 1905 sights and bayonets, and rechambered for the new .30-06 cartridge. This last procedure was done by unscrewing the barrels, milling off the end of each chamber, re-threading the barrels, rechambering them, and screwing them back on the same actions.[2] This ended the short life of the .30-03; out of nearly 75,000 made, few original 1903 rifles escaped the conversion to .30-06 (estimates range from 50 to 100 rifles); surviving .30-03 rifles are rare collectors items. Even the .30-03 cartridge is a rarity and is found only in collections of rare cartridges."

If you wish to get serious about provenance and value, disassemble it and record every marking you can find on metal and wood. Take clear pics of everything. Then reach out to the 1903 forum and firearms auction houses asking for their opinion. (if you pm me, I should be able to dig up websites/email addresses).

I agree with Rob, there is a reasonable chance it is a .30-03 and if so the dimensions are different than a .30-06 and the throat may be significantly eroded. I'm curious if you've gotten a good look at the bore.

 

[citizenkane]

I saw a similarly low numbered Rock Island at the Tipton show five or six years ago. I should have bought it.

 

[Mongo59]

People who shoot at CMP events would not be interested because they do not allow you to use 'low numbered' 1903's. The problem is receiver brittleness.

In my eyes, if they were going to pop they would probably have done it in the first 100 years or so.

The reality is if it was made on a sunny bright day it will probably be brittle, but if it was made on an overcast day it will be fine.

If the CMP could employ an idiot savant who could give the weather in the past, then we would have something!

 

[Mongo59]

BTW, the sling has 'issues'...

 

[Mongo59]

This is my 120,XXX Rock Island. Try to convince me it isn't a shooter... lol

 

[TheJoker]

Do some research on low numbered 1903s. There is much debate. You can decide for yourself whether or not you want to shoot your rifle.

But, do some research...

CMP: Low Numbered 1903s

First Hand: Are “Low Number” ’03s Unsafe to Shoot?

 

[rob63]

Here's a good website where you can look over the different variations in parts:

Vi Shooter's M1903 Page

It looks to me like it has a low-hump handguard which would be incorrect for 1905. Looks like a pretty nice rifle overall!