I own a very nice '03 that I purchased in the early 1980's. It came out of the estate of a retired China Marine who served with the 4th Marines in Shanghai till he retired in 1939. The family said it was his rifle that "he brought home when he retired". I hope that is the case and he didn't pick it up after he retired. Came with sling and bayonet. It is numbered 1009445. It looks to be all original 1918 era manufacture, with no sign of rebuild that I can see. Barrel dated SA 11-18. It is about 85-90% matte blue or smooth dark parkerizing-- don't know which. Wood is very nice, but never sanded. It has a clear circle P proof behind the trigger guard but no cartouche on the side, nor any sign it ever had one. Wood has beautiful old hand-rubbed oil finish, grasping grooves. Perfect bore. No Hatcher hole, no vise marks ahead of front sight base nor stippled butt plate. It does have the USMC front and rear sights, together with the USMC front sight cover. It came to me that way. The sights and cover show every indication they have been on the rifle forever. I'll take pictures of the rifle and post them if people are interested. I would like to know if there is any record of this rifle in the SRS, and if not, what sort of range does this rifle fall into?
The second rifle I am curious about is a RIA #101382. It looks all original, CN 1908 cartouche. Barrel is RIA 11-08. Again about 85-90% original finish-- both blue and casehardening. Stock never sanded. I'm curious if there is any record of this rifle, and if not, what does it look like in its range-- anything special or interesting? Thanks!
Bill M.