OD - VERY GOOD- all original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised.

WW - WOOD IS WORSE FOR THE PERCENT FINISH RATING GIVEN

Manufactured in 1904. Correct distinctive rod bayonet components: retractable rod bayonet, front sight base with two lightning holes, longer 24.206 inch unmarked barrel chambered for the .30-03 cartridge, rod bayonet stud on forearm tip, upper barrel band, one-piece handguard with interior spring secured by two rivets, first type rear sight base with spline at the upper front of the base, Krag 1902 style tangent rear sight with flip up 1904 peep, bolt with arsenal polished body, "S" stock with no reinforcing bolts inletted for rod bayonet stud and 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. Late production replacement follower rather than the short square-ended follower utilized on Model 1903 rod bayonet rifles. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with script letter Ordnance final inspection stamp. A "P" proofmark stamped behind the trigger guard. With leather sling. Springfield Armory manufactured approximately 74,500 Model 1903 rod bayonet rifles from November 1903 to January 1905. 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.