This is a representative example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rifle manufactured circa1903 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 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 original, unmodified Model 1903 Rod Bayonet rifles exist in museums and private collections. This rifle has been restored to the original rod bayonet configuration using an original barreled action and many original components. The action retains the original rear sight base and Krag style rear sight as well as the original 24 inch barrel chambered for the original .30-03 cartridge. Nearly all of the original rod bayonet Model 1903 barrels were rechambered to accept the .30-06 cartridge and shortened to 24.006 inches. The barrel has the distinctive front sight base found only on rod bayonet rifles The stock appears to be an original unmodified replacement rod bayonet stock that was never stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark on the left side of the wrist and the circled "P" proof mark found on completed rifles. The buttplate is an original rod bayonet component with distinctive small diameter trap door stamped with the assembly number "7/56". The handguard appears to be a original rod bayonet handguard. The rod bayonet, upper barrel band, bayonet stud and front sight cover are all original rod bayonet components. The stacking swivel, lower barrel band, follower, safety lock and bolt sleeve are all post-1905 components. The trigger guard has been armory modified with a pin to prevent forward motion of the trigger. The bolt was originally blue and has been polished to the bright finish found on rod bayonet rifle bolts. The extractor has a dull blue finish rather than the niter blue found on rod bayonet extractors.

Very good. The receiver and rear sight base retain 40% of the original blue and casehardened finish. The lower edges of the receiver have some light pitting. The barrel and front sight base have scattered light pitting and have been partially reblued. The trigger guard and floor plate have 50% of the original blue finish. Most of the mottled casehardened finish is present on the buttplate. The bolt sleeve, barrel bands and rod bayonet have 90% of the original blue finish. The bayonet stud has a silver-gray patina. The markings on the receiver and bolt components are sharp. The stock and forearm are very good-excellent with only scattered and very minor handling and storage marks. The edges of the grasping grooves and cut-off recess are extremely sharp. This is a good looking example of a restored Model 1903 Rod Bayonet rifle that has most of the key and nearly impossible to obtain original components. Original Model 1903 Rod Bayonet rifles are extremely rare. This rifle would fill the gap that is missing from all but the most advanced Model 1903 and U.S. martial arm collections.