This is an outstanding example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rod bayonet rifle as manufactured in 1904, and one of the top few finest of the limited remaining examples today. Springfield Armory manufactured approximately 74,500 first pattern M1903 rifles with the integral rod bayonet chambered for the .30-03 cartridge between November 1903 and January 1905. Limited quantities of the M1903 rod bayonet 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 rechambered for the .30-06 cartridge now with a spitzer bullet as opposed to the round nosed .30-03 cartridge; with this example escaping alteration. Fewer than 100 original, un-modified M1903 Rod-Bayonet rifles exist in museums and private collections today. This exceptional rifle remains all original and 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 stacking swivel, one-piece lower barrel band, and one-piece handguard 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 hardly visible on original rifles. The bolt body is bright with original polishing marks above and below the safety lug, oil-quenched casehardened handle and a niter blue extractor. This rod bayonet rifle retains its first pattern bolt sleeve and first pattern safety lever without the spring detent that was subsequently incorporated due to these early safeties being prone to rattle in the "READY" position. The internal five-round magazine has the original short follower with square end. The rifle has the smooth, narrow trigger. The smooth buttplate is blued with a color casehardened, Krag style, trap door stamped with the assembly number "516" on the inside. The "Style S" stock has grasping grooves and correctly 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 an original polished blue finish. The receiver, "OFF" side of the cutoff lever, bolt handle (not including the rest of the bolt body), cocking knob, and bolt sleeve have an original oil-quenched casehardened finish. The safety lever has an original color casehardened finish. 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,/6475" using the first style, small, serif letters. The markings on the magazine cutoff 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" (J. Sumnar Adams) above the date "1904" surrounded by a rectangle with flattened corners. An encircled script "P" proof mark beneath "27" 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 includes the distinctive blue finished steel front sight cover issued only with M1903 rod bayonet rifles.

Excellent plus, nearly as issued, retains 97% plus original blue finish with some very light finish wear at the edge of the front sight from use of the sight cover, blue flaking on the lower barrel band showing some light corrosion, and a few light handling marks. 95% original oil-quenched casehardened finish remains, with light wear on the knob of the bolt handle. The body of the bolt remains bright, with 99% attractive fiery niter blue finish on the extractor and vivid original case colors showing on the safety lever. The stock and hand guard are also both in excellent condition, retaining a beautiful matching medium brown color overall, some light marring ahead of the middle barrel band, with otherwise minimal handling evidence, distinct grasping grooves and crisp stampings (the "JSA" cartouche has been professionally enhanced). Mechanically excellent. This is one of the top few finest U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rod bayonet rifles that we have ever had the privilege to offer for sale. The superb condition and originality of this rifle is impeccable and would be near impossible to improve upon or upgrade! Certainly for the discriminating, high end collector that wants an early extraordinary U.S. Springfield Model 1903 ramrod bayonet rifle for their collection.