This is a solid representative example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Rod Bayonet rifle that was manufactured in 1904. The rifle has the correct distinctive rod bayonet components which include: (1) retractable rod bayonet, (2) front sight base with two lightning holes, (3) longer, 24.206 inch unmarked barrel chambered for the .30-03 cartridge, (4) rod bayonet stud on forearm tip, (5) upper barrel band, (6) one-piece handguard with interior spring secured by two rivets, (7) first type rear sight base with spline at the upper front of the base, (8) Krag style tangent rear sight, (9) bolt with arsenal polished body, (10) "S" stock with no reinforcing bolts inletted for rod bayonet stud and (11) smooth buttplate with small butt trap and "58" assembly number stamped inside the butt trap door. The rifle has the second style bolt sleeve and safety lock adopted in late 1904 and a late production striker. The rifle also has a late production replacement follower rather than the short square-ended follower utilized on Model 1903 rod bayonet rifles. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped: "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903/40105" using the small, serif letters utilized until serial number 60463. The markings on the safety lock and cut-off switch also have serif letters. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with an illegible Ordnance final inspection stamp that consists of three script initials enclosed in rectangle. An encircled, script, "P" proofmark is stamped behind the trigger guard. Springfield Armory manufactured approximately 74,500 Model 1903 rod bayonet rifles from November 1903 to January 1905. Following President Theodore Roosevelt's criticism of the rod bayonet design in January 1905, production of Model 1903 rifles ceased pending redesign of the bayonet. Nearly all of the completed Rod Bayonet M1903 rifles were altered to accept the Model 1905 bayonet and subsequently had the barrel, stock and handguard shortened and the sights altered for the newly adopted .30-06 cartridge. (This rifle somehow escaped that aforementioned fate!) Experts estimate fewer than 100 original configuration Rod Bayonet Model 1903 rifles exist in museums and private collections today.

Very good overall with the metal surfaces showing an untouched original gray patina overall. The very good stock and handguard both show a nice untouched dark color overall mixed with some minor handling marks and scattered light pressure dents/dings in the wood. The handguard shows a slight crack in the top middle section and the forend of the stock also has a moderate crack that runs from the forend tip to the middle barrel band area. The cartouche and circle "P" are both clearly legible. This is a rare opportunity to obtain a correct early U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Rod-Bayonet rifle in the rare original 30-03 caliber.