Very attractive Rock Island Arsenal Pre-WWI US Military Model 1903 match grade rifle with a Rock Island Arsenal barrel dated 1913 as sold by the US Government, offered exclusively to NRA members to promote civilian marksmanship, complete with an RIA military bayonet dated 1906.

Description:

Rock Island Arsenal WWI US Military Model 1903 match grade bolt-action rifle, SN: 236243, caliber: .30-06 Springfield, with a low-number Rock Island receiver (circa 1907–1908) and a Rock Island Arsenal barrel dated 7-13, sold by the US Government through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship, exclusively to NRA members, a match grade rifle to promote civilian marksmanship, this rifle accompanied by a pre-WWI RIA bayonet dated 1906. Standard 24" barrel with a drift adjustable patridge profile front sight, barrel marked "RIA / flaming bomb / 7-13". Lower surface "C 88 / P". Notched battle ladder rear sight, the ladder graduated from 3-27 with windage adjustment knob on forward base. Top of chamber marked "U.S. / Rock Island Arsenal / Model 1903 / 236243". Bolt release / magazine cutoff lever marked "ON" and "OFF". Early style bolt, safety marked "SAFE" and "READY", with lug number "615". Forward trigger guard with a "flaming bomb / N.R.A.". Smooth walnut handguard and finger grooved, 3-sling swivel stock, the left side with a rectangular cartouche including inspector initials and year: "CN / 1913". Additional inspections include an encircled, scriptic "P" under the pistol grip. Checkered trapdoor buttplate. Complete with a pre-WWI R.I.A. military bayonet dated 1906 enclosed in leather/metal scabbard, the leather body marked "R.I.A, 1906" with inspector initials "E.H.S."

Condition:

VG original condition with spotty receiver fading as carefully pictured, sharp edge wear with expected handling/fading/operational wear on the usual parts subject to handling, the flaming bomb and "N.R.A." on the trigger guard extension with nice haloing around the cratered markings. Comparable condition walnut furniture with crisp cartouches, with scattered handling marks and bruises, but no cracks or significant losses. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Correct manual mechanics. Comparable or better condition bayonet/scabbard, the blade having been lightly cleaned and sharpened.