This is an exceptional, totally original example of a U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Bolt Action Rod-Bayonet rifle manufactured in 1904. Springfield Armory manufactured approximately 74,500 first pattern rifles with integral rod bayonet chambered for the .30-03 cartridge between November 1903 and January 1905. Limited quantities of the M1903 Rod-Bayonet M1903 were issued to the Corps of Cadets at West Point and U.S. Army garrisons in Alaska and the Philippines. Following a demonstration of the new rifle by the Chief of Ordnance, President Theodore Roosevelt directed the Ordnance Department to halt production of the rifle and modify it to accept a standard knife-type bayonet. Nearly all of the completed M1903 Rod Bayonet rifles were subsequently altered by Springfield Armory to accept the Model 1905 Bayonet (1905 Modification) and re-chambered for the .30-06 cartridge. Fewer than 100 original, un-modified M1903 Rod-Bayonet rifles exist in museums and private collections today. This rifle is all original and remains in the same unaltered condition as when it was manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1904. The rifle has the distinctive, retractable, 23 1/2 inch rod bayonet, front sight with two lightening holes in the band-type base, nose cap with plunger type latch for the rod bayonet, upper barrel band with second pattern stacking swivel, one-piece lower barrel band, and one-piece hand-guard with internal spring clip secured by two rivets. The Krag style tangent rear sight with 1902 peep plate has a fixed base attached to the barrel by a pin near the front of the base. This pin was fitted and milled flush with the base before the barrel and base were blued and is nearly invisible on original rifles. The bolt is bright with original polishing marks above and below the safety lug, blued handle and a niter blue extractor. The magazine has the original short follower with square end. The rifle has the smooth, narrow trigger. When cocked the trigger will fire if pressed forward which was a design flaw of the Rod-Bayonet M1903 rifles. The smooth buttplate is blued with a color casehardened, Krag style, trap door stamped with the assembly number "822" on the inside. The "Style S" stock has grasping grooves and lacks the reinforcing bolt added c. 1909. The rod-bayonet, barrel, barrel bands, stacking and sling swivels, rear sight base, follower, trigger guard, floor plate and buttplate have a polished blue finish. The receiver and bolt sleeve casehardened with subdued case colors. The safety lever and "OFF" side of the cut-off are casehardened with brighter colors. The "ON" side of the cocking piece is polished bright. The straight grain, black walnut stock and forearm are oil finished. The receiver is roll-stamped: "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY,/ MODEL 1903,/11014" using the first style, small, serif letters. The markings on the magazine cut-off and safety lever have serif markings. The left side of the stock behind the magazine cut-off recess is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark consisting of the script initials "JSA" above the date "1904" surrounded by a rectangle with flattened corners. An encircled, script "P" proof mark is stamped on the underside of the stock wrist behind the trigger guard. The butt-trap contains a nickel-plated oiler with early style thong and brush. The rifle has the distinctive front sight cover issued only with M1903 Rod-Bayonet rifles and a one-piece M1903 sling marked "ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL" and dated "1903".

Exceptionally fine. This rifle is in all original Rod-Bayonet configuration. The rifle retains 85% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish with only very minor storage wear. The bolt has the original armory polish, and the extractor has 90% of the original nitre blue finish. The stock and handguard are both in excellent condition; the edges of the grasping grooves are sharp, the final inspection mark is extremely crisp, and the proof mark is clear. The stock and handguard have a few storage marks with two tack holes visible on both sides of butt. The Springfield Rod-Bayonet Model 1903 rifle is one of the most difficult of all U.S. martial arms to obtain in original, unaltered condition. This rifle is one of the finest original Rod-Bayonet M1903 rifles extant, and the best example of a Rod-Bayonet M1903 ever offered for sale by the Rock Island Auction Company; it would be the standout piece in the most advanced collection of U.S. martial arms.