Thanks PhysDoc for starting the thread. I am the latest caretaker of this rifle and my primary concern at this point is to return it to a semblance of it's original state. To put the low number issue to rest, It may get shot, but probably not. I have other low number 1903s, including a 1905 Rock Island with the converted 30-03 barrel and serial number 228 Springfield. I also have 30-06s in other rifles that pose no know danger to use. Gary D. is correct about the stock. What convinced me to go ahead and buy it was I felt that an amateur probably wouldn't use ivory on a project unless he was fairly talented. The fore end and grip cap are ivory. That also poses my biggest dilemma. How to repair it since I don't have a block of ivory sitting around. The pictures speak plainly and the only thing I have found on examination are the initials WS under the butt plate. The other interesting feature is the sling swivels and butt plate were gold plated. When backing out the BP screws, I could see the plating. The underside shows coverage and the only evidence on the outside is a small sliver on the widow's peak of the buttplate. The swivels show evidence of course. The rifle in hand is nicer than the pictures portray. It handles well, the metal work is well executed and the stock work while not top of the line is well done with few errors. Brent may be right about 1950s, it is hard to say. The receiver dates to 1906 and the bolt is a C14, correct for Rock Island around 1917. I suspect it might have been a WW1 rebuild. A thorough cleaning ala Michael Petrov's plan should take care of most of the issues. The stock desperately needs some oil.
I would welcome any suggestions on the tip repair. Right now I am considering building up the missing piece on pins with accraglass and using a product called AcryliKey to coat the undersized form. It is used to repair ivory piano keys. I figure I can do a practice run or two on scrap to see if it is feasible. I'm sure it will be noticeable, but hopefully it would be presentable. Any thoughts?
Last edited by Thaine; 08/06/24 04:08 PM.
