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samuelamccoy
10-30-2009, 04:34
recently acquired a R.I,low no.269xx.It has R.I 7/19barrel with an m.e. of less than 1.My question is about C108 .On bottom of the barrel behind the site collar,there is also a P punched marked located1 in. belowtheC108 last 2digits fhe rifle serial no.are08.any info would be appreciated .
Marine A5 Sniper
10-30-2009, 06:41
C108 is the steel lot number for the barrel, which identifies the steel maker (and lot). The P is the barrel proof mark.

Jim
Rick the Librarian
10-30-2009, 06:42
The C108 is the steel lot code. It allowed the Ordnance department to keep track of what firm supplied the steel blanks. The P indicates the barrel passed a proof firing test.
John Beard
10-30-2009, 07:21
recently acquired a R.I,low no.269xx.It has R.I 7/19barrel with an m.e. of less than 1.My question is about C108 .On bottom of the barrel behind the site collar,there is also a P punched marked located1 in. belowtheC108 last 2digits fhe rifle serial no.are08.any info would be appreciated .

(1) Please re-check your rifle's barrel date. I am not aware of any Rock Island barrels having that date.

(2) Does your rifle have a 5-digit serial number? Please advise.

Thanks!

J.B.
Sunray
10-30-2009, 09:15
"...with an m.e. of less than 1..." Doesn't matter. The S/N is below the number that is considered safe to shoot with any modern ammo. The improved receiver heat treatment for RI rifles began at #285,507.
Your space bar isn't working either.
samuelamccoy
10-31-2009, 06:14
yes it is a 5 digit your right it is 7/18 last 2 digits are 08
John Beard
10-31-2009, 08:52
yes it is a 5 digit your right it is 7/18 last 2 digits are 08

Your rifle's description matches that of a rifle that was overhauled at Rock Island Arsenal during WWI.

When the M1903 receiver heat treating problem erupted in early 1918, Rock Island Arsenal was ordered to suspend new rifle manufacture. In order to keep their workers busy, they switched over and began overhauling worn existing rifles that were returned from training camps, etc. Your rifle is one of those.

Your rifle's serial number dates from late 1905 or early 1906. Your rifle, when originally manufactured, was in .30-'03 caliber. But, before being shipped out in 1907 or 1908, it was disassembled and altered to .30-'06 caliber. By WWI, the original barrel was worn out. So, it was returned to Rock Island for overhaul and re-barreling. In all likelihood, your rifle has been overhauled and refinished again since then.

Hope this helps.

J.B.
samuelamccoy
10-31-2009, 09:24
It is mounted in a one screw spg. stock .thank you. Sam