OC - FINE- all original parts; over 30% original finish, sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood.

PRF - PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED OR RESTORED

This is a representative example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rifle manufactured circa 1903 with unique "rod bayonet". Springfield Armory manufactured approximately 74,000 Rod Bayonet Model 1903 rifles between November 1903 and January 1905. On January 11, 1905, rod bayonet rifle production was halted to allow the rifles to be modified to accept a knife bayonet. Prior to the production halt, limited numbers of rod bayonet rifles were issued to the Corps of Cadets at West Point and to Army units in Alaska and the Philippines. Approximately 100 rod bayonet Model 1903 rifles were provided to some state militias and a few individuals. Following the January 1905 production halt, Springfield Armory modified nearly all of the 74,000 model 1903 Rod Bayonet rifles to accept the Model 1905 Bayonet and the unique components associated with the rod bayonet rifles were discarded. Experts estimate that fewer than 100, unmodified Model 1903 Rod Bayonet rifles exist in museums and private collections and are both highly sought after and valuable. This rifle has been restored back to the M1903 rod bayonet configuration using a re-barreled action and many original components.