1903

DRush · 08-14-2002, 10:57 PM

could anyone tell me what year my rifle was manuf? It is stamped : Remington
1903
3337815

stock has RIA (Rock Island) and ord wheel on left side and barrel is dated 12-42.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

Rick the Librarian · 08-15-2002, 08:14 AM

Hi, DRush,
You have a very late-model 1903 Modified rifle - the receiver was probably manufactured in late-December, 1942, so you have a matching barrel. Take a closer look on the stock - I'll bet the "RIA" is really a FJA, which is standard on rifles of your era. It stands for Frank J. Atwood, the head of the ordnance district that contained Remington and Smith Corona. If there is an RIA, it probably would have RIA/EB or /FK and is a rebuild stamp.

The 1903 you have was a transition between the near-original 1903 clones Remington manufactured earlier and the 1903A3s, which were just starting up when your rifle was made.

One more thing -- look on the rear receiver bridge and see if there is any tooling marks for a 1903A3 sight (the sight looks like a M1 carbine sight - the sight won't be there, but the marks for the base may be).

Feel free to ask follow-up questions or comments or email me.

FutureMarine · 04-28-2005, 12:11 PM

Im gessing probably what Rick the Librarian said. That sounds about right to me.

08-14-2002, 10:57 PM	#1
DRush Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: PA Posts: 2	1903 could anyone tell me what year my rifle was manuf? It is stamped : Remington 1903 3337815 stock has RIA (Rock Island) and ord wheel on left side and barrel is dated 12-42. Thanks in advance. Dan

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08-15-2002, 08:14 AM	#2
Rick the Librarian Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NW Washington Posts: 218	Hi, DRush, You have a very late-model 1903 Modified rifle - the receiver was probably manufactured in late-December, 1942, so you have a matching barrel. Take a closer look on the stock - I'll bet the "RIA" is really a FJA, which is standard on rifles of your era. It stands for Frank J. Atwood, the head of the ordnance district that contained Remington and Smith Corona. If there is an RIA, it probably would have RIA/EB or /FK and is a rebuild stamp. The 1903 you have was a transition between the near-original 1903 clones Remington manufactured earlier and the 1903A3s, which were just starting up when your rifle was made. One more thing -- look on the rear receiver bridge and see if there is any tooling marks for a 1903A3 sight (the sight looks like a M1 carbine sight - the sight won't be there, but the marks for the base may be). Feel free to ask follow-up questions or comments or email me.

04-28-2005, 12:11 PM	#3
FutureMarine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PRK Posts: 1,946	Im gessing probably what Rick the Librarian said. That sounds about right to me.