Indicators of original finish?

[Scott Wilson]

Are the areas pictured reliable indicators of original finish on 1903 rifles? Serial number is 1218708 with a barrel date of 1/21.
1903 finish 1.jpg1903 finish 2.jpg

[Roadkingtrax]

It may be, can you take a picture of the left side of the receiver, and the dated end of the barrel?

[Scott Wilson]

date.jpgdate.jpg1903 muzzle.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

left side.jpg

[togor]

One indicator of original finish is linseed oil residue on exposed metal, adding a brownish cast to the color. But overeager collectors sometimes hit the metal hard with solvents stripping it away. With original rifles, grime is your friend.

[Johnny P]

When original Model 1903 rifles in your serial number range had a black asphaltum applied to the sight collar. In the photo you can see where on this 1921 date rifle it wasn't completely brushed on. It wore off easily, so may no longer be present.

Also, the lower band and band spring, and the front sight base (not the part that fits on the barrel, but the part the front sight sits on) will be finished in niter blue rather than phosphate like the rest of the parts. The sight face will be polished back to bright. A small cut at the bore will show up bright where the phosphate was cut away.

Photo of asphaltum on sight collar.



Bright cut on muzzle.

[Scott Wilson]

Johnny,
Like this?asphaltum.jpg

[Johnny P]

That appears to be remnants of the asphaltum as it wore off fairly easily, or was removed when cleaning the rifle.

The rifle I show was a DCM Sales rifle purchased in the 1936 time frame, and shows virtually no use. I checked your serial number, but it does not show up as a DCM Sales. It appears a large block of Model 1903 rifles in the 1.21 million serial number range were set aside for NRA/DCM Sales rifles. Yours could have remained in this block, but never sold and removed as WWII approached.

[Scott Wilson]

I will have to get the rifle out and look at the front sight base, etc. The rear sight face is bright. Cocking piece and safety are water quenched.

[Roadkingtrax]

I will have to get the rifle out and look at the front sight base, etc. The rear sight face is bright. Cocking piece and safety are water quenched.

The paint is one thing, and rarely ever present. There are other tells for originality of the assembly which will remain with the rifle.

Is there a single indent on front sight base movable stud? This was from the alignment of the front sight during bore-sighting.

[03collector]

Nice looking rifle, punch mark in the center of bomb indicates the rifle was overhauled. Or at least reinspected.