Rock Island 1903 question.

bpost

The books show receiver number 371000 range as being made after 1920. The barrel date is 7-28. Could this be the original barrel for this rifle?

rufe-snow

My reference book notes, that the last assembly of complete rifles at Rock Island. Was at the end of 1922.

The only way I could see the barrel being original. If it was assembled at Springfield Armoury, using a RI receiver. Supposedly a lot of RI parts, barrels and receivers were sent to SA.

Ambrose

It's probably not possible to tell. Information from various sources indicate that the last assembled RIA rifle was #346779. Also that receiver production ended at RIA in 1920 and barrels in 1922. I have #357515 that I purchased as a receiver only and #347176 that had been converted to a sporter with the barrel shortened when I got it. You did not state the manufacturers mark on your barrel. All four of the manufacturers of 1903 type rifles made more receivers (as well as barrels and other parts) than assembled rifles. With the close of production at RIA, much of the inventory was forwarded to Springfield. Most of the rest of the stuff, including the gauges and tooling went to Remington in 1941. My references state that, during fiscal year 1942, "spare" receivers were assembled into rifles. Some of those receivers could have been RIA's. With the desperation that prevailed in early WWII, it is doubtful that any consideration was given to matching brands or dates. Your rifle could very well be one of those 1942 assembly or it may just have been overhauled with a new barrel installed.