doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com One Ugly Rock Island Armory 1903

So ugly it is beautiful IMHO. 1910 RIA 03 A rifle that appears to have been used for its fair share of game, if you figure the notches are for "critters" slain with it. It arrived today and initial check out shows what looks to be all original 9-10 RIA metal work. Bolt matches according to the info on the VI Shooters page and other bits appear to be correct. I haven't had it out of the stock yet to look for marks. Barrel appears to have been "contoured" on the sides with a file, otherwise nothing was done to remove evidence of the barrel sight. Has a King front sight. Checkering is flat, but is relatively free of overruns. Length of pull to the extended butt is 14 1/4". To the joint of old stock and extension is 12 3/4". I am 6'4" with 36" sleeve length and it just falls into the crook of my arm when gripped. There are lots of dings and scrapes, but not for 104 years of use, I honestly believe this ole girl was used for her intended purpose. Apparently modified for a subsequent owner and continued to soldier on. In reality it looks better than the pictures portray it. No glamour girl, but still solid and capable.

My questions at this point are
1: Has anyone here had any prior association with it and/or any information?
2: I plan to remove the "extension" and put a Silvers pad on it. If I find a hole for a trap butt plate, I have an Albright that was ground flat on the mounting surface that could be used.
3: The tang has a couple of cracks and will need repair along with a chip behind the magazine cutoff.

Comments concerning 2 & 3 solicited and appreciated.

The leather comb can be unlaced and will be saved for the next caretaker. I may check with a local saddle shop about a duplicate, but don't feel it's needed unless there are hidden surprises under it.

I've seen that rifle before someplace, but I can't recall where it was. That long slide 48 is worth the selling price of the rifle, not that you would ever want to separate them. I always like finding these old rifle like this that have never had a scope mounted or bolt handle altered. Congrats, nice find.

John

Thaine: Any idea of the purpose of what appears to be a hole in the bottom of the barrel,just forward of the Schnabel forend?

Jerry

John - I agree with you, I've seen it before but can't remember where. Perhaps Gunbroker?

Jerry - Not sure, it puzzles me too. Barrel bands clamped around the issue stocks so I have no idea. The one to the rear is a threaded stud for a sling swivel, the stock is inletted for a barrel band at that point. FWIW, I don't believe the rear sling stud is correct for the period.

Thaine

I think I saw this rifle in a prior auction a few months ago. If there was ever a rifle that wore it's history on its sleeve, this is it. I bid on it what I was willing to pay and was a bit disappointed when I didn't win, but I'm glad to know the new owner is pleased with it. The stock has some Sedgley characteristics, but the flat checkering makes me think it has to be something else.

That first model Lyman 48 sight is worth at least half of what you paid for the rifle and can easily be replaced by a much less expensive later model. This is the model sight used by Wundhammer in his earliest sporters.

I like the old soldier. I bet it would have some stories to tell.

Jerry Liles

I count at least 44 stories to tell - wonder it didn't blow up...

I think it's a great rifle. I'd put it in the early-mid 20's. Agreed it has some sedgley characteristics, but somehow I don't think it is. Where's Dan?

Congrats!

I'm here Bryndon,

I don't think it's a Sedgley but who knows what they may have made before they started with their catalogs. The first catalogs state they used military barrels but they soon changed to Winchester barrels. This gun could have been an NRA sales gun.

Dan