Rock Island Arsenal M1903 Sporterized .30-06 Bolt-Action Rifle, 24-Inch Barrel, 1919 High-Number RIA Receiver, Custom Walnut Thumbhole Stock
This custom sporting conversion is built on a 1919 Rock Island Arsenal M1903 action with a late high-number nickel-steel receiver. It features a 24-inch round sporting barrel without the military rear-sight base, a polished blue finish on the receiver and barrel, and a swept bolt handle with the bolt body left in the white. The rifle wears a purpose-built walnut thumbhole/target-style stock with hand checkering, a contrasting fore-end tip, and a ventilated recoil pad with white-line spacers. A Lyman 48-style receiver aperture sight and a ramped bead front sight complete the classic sporter configuration, with a decorative engraved metal inlay set into the stock belly.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean with some residue or smudges and slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair - Worn rifling with slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: This rifle was heavily sporterized. The stock shows numerous blemishes and scathes, with cracks in the finish. The metal shows many patches and spots of pitting. The rear sight is bent and rusted, and the front sight is not fully retained to the barrel and has notable play.
What’s Included
- Rock Island Arsenal M1903 Sporterized bolt-action rifle in .30-06
Built on a U.S. Model 1903 Rock Island Arsenal action, this rifle uses a late high-number nickel-steel receiver from 1919. The receiver and barrel carry a polished blue finish, while the bolt body is intentionally left in the white and fitted with a swept bolt handle. Feeding is via a fixed internal 5-round magazine.
The sporting conversion centers on a 24-inch round barrel with no military rear-sight base, giving a clean top profile. Sighting equipment includes a ramped bead front sight and a Lyman 48-style receiver aperture sight with micrometer adjustments.
The custom walnut stock is a thumbhole/target-style design with a deep pistol grip and hand-checkered fore-end. A contrasting light-colored fore-end tip, ventilated rubber recoil pad with white-line spacers, and installed sling-swivel studs round out the features. Length of pull is 14.5 inches.
Attention to presentation includes a decorative engraved metal inlay with a game-scene motif set into the stock belly ahead of the trigger guard. The result is a period-style sporter that reflects the popular M1903 sporting conversions of its era while showcasing custom woodwork and sighting upgrades.