This exceptional U.S. Model 1903 Rod-Bayonet Rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory c. 1904. Springfield Armory manufactured approximately 74,500 M1903 rifles with the distinctive rod bayonet between May 1904 and January 1905. A limited number of the new rifles were issued to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Army units stationed in Alaska and the Philippines. A few additional M1903 Rod-Bayonet Rifles were provided to state militia, cartridge manufacturers, and selected individuals. As a result of criticism of the rod bayonet by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Chief of Ordnance suspended production of the Model 1903 Rod-Bayonet rifles in January 1905 and redesigned the Model 1903 Rifle to accept the M1905 Knife-Bayonet and M1905 folding leaf rear sight. The un-issued M1903 Rod-Bayonet rifles were altered to accept the new bayonet and rear sight and the distinctive Rod-Bayonet features were eliminated from new production M1903 rifles.. Nearly all of the M1903 Rod-Bayonet Rifles issued to West Point and the regular U.S. Army units were recalled to Springfield Armory and altered to 1905 configuration. Only a few (experts estimate less than 100) of the 74,500 M1903 Rod-Bayonet rifles escaped alteration. Original M1903 Rod-Bayonet rifles in un-altered configuration are among the rarest and most desirable U.S. martial arms. This rifle is original, unaltered, and retains all the distinctive M1903 Rod-Bayonet features which include: (1) retractable 23 1/2-inch rod-bayonet, (2) two-hole front sight base, (3) grooved upper barrel band, (4) stacking swivel with flat face facing the muzzle, (5) solid lower barrel band, (6) Krag style Model 1902 rear sight with peep plate and serrations on the left side of the leaf, (7) bolt with bright finished body and blued handle, (8) fire blue extractor, (9) short, square-ended, follower, (10) first style, Mauser type safety, (11) smooth buttplate with small diameter, case-hardened, trap door, and (12) distinctive, low profile handguard with two rivets securing the spring clip. The barrel, front sight base, upper and lower barrel bands, band spring, sling swivels, floorplate, trigger guard and buttplate have a high polish blue finish. The receiver, safety, bolt sleeve and cocking piece have a dark casehardened finish. The bright finished bolt has polishing marks on either side of the safety lug. The stock and handguard are oil finished American walnut. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped: "U.S. / SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903" in small serifed letters above the serial number "11578". The magazine cut-off and safety also have serifed markings. "L" is stamped on the underside of the bolt handle and "S" is stamped on the bottom of the bolt safety lug. The right side of the upper and lower barrel bands are stamped with a small serifed "U" (UP). The assembly number "71" is stamped on the inside of the butt trap door. The left side of the stock is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "JSA" over the date "1904" surrounded by a rectangle wit flattened corners. An encircled, script. "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. A block "L" sub-inspection mark is stamped between the proofmark and the trigger guard. The rifle is complete with a scarce "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL" marked M1906 russet leather sling.

Excellent. The rifle is all original and retains 95% of the original blue and casehardened finish. The barrel bands, band spring, floor plate and trigger guard have most of the high polish blue finish intact with light edge wear and small spots of age discoloration. The buttplate retains about 75% of the high polish and casehardened (trap) blue finish. The rear sight base has most of the dull blue finish intact. The rear sight base spline is milled flush with the base and has never been removed which is a key indication that this rifle was never modified to the 1905 configuration. The receiver, bolt sleeve, early style safety and "OFF" side of the magazine cut-off retain nearly all of the dark, mottled casehardened finish. The "ON" side of the cut-off is properly polished bright. The bolt body retains nearly all of the original polished finish while the bolt handle has 75% of the original blue finish. Almost all of the fire blue finish is present on the extractor. The stock and forearm have nearly all of the original oil finish intact with only a few scattered and very minor storage marks. The edges of the grasping grooves and the cut-off recess are sharp. The Ordnance final inspection mark and proofmark are extremely crisp. The M1906 sling is in good overall condition with partially legible markings. This is one of the finest examples of an original U.S. Springfield Armory M1903 Rod-Bayonet Rifle extant. It would be the standout piece in the most advanced collection of U.S. military rifles.