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LOT 3451
Historic Documented Pearl Harbor U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle Recovered from the U.S.S.
California with Archival Research Group Letter - Serial no. 341949, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Rock Island Auction Company is privileged to be able to offer this significant piece of American history. At 7:48
AM on December 7th, 1941, Japan’s attack commenced on the U.S.
Andrew Stolinski in which the article provides a detailed history of these rifles and the context of their salvage. Of interesting note, this “Springfield” M1903 rifle is one of the late Rock Island Arsenal manufactured examples; with these receivers known to have been made but not assembled into complete rifles around the end of World War I and directly after, of which many were later re-heat
U.S.S. CALIFORNIA FOLLOWING THE ATTACK AT PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941
Pacific Fleet at the naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, and life in the States would forever change, forcing U.S. entry into the war. Over 2,300 Americans lost their lives, 12
U.S. ships sank or were beached, 9 additional vessels sustained damages, over 160 aircraft were destroyed and approximately 150 more were damaged. This U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 rifle is identified by serial number as salvaged off of the U.S.S. California after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The U.S.S. California was hit by two bombs and two torpedoes prior to sinking, with over 100 U.S. soldiers that were on board determined dead. The ship was recovered after sinking and would later return to service in January 1944. The included scanned copy a Bureau of Ordnance Survey document, dated February 13th, 1942, addressed from the “Commanding Officer” to the “Commandant, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor” states, “The following small arms equipment has been salvaged from the U.S.S. California and is located at the battery indicated:” and proceeds to list 352 M1903 “Springfield” rifles, 63 Colt Automatic Pistols, 26 Browning Automatic Rifles, 16 Lewis Machine Guns, and 2 Thompson Sub-Machine Guns; of which the serial number of this M1903 rifle is listed as located at Battery No. 3. An included letter accompanying this rifle, supplied by Andrew Stolinski, Chief Researcher of Archival Research Group, states, “I am pleased to inform you that your rifle’s serial number is documented in a Bureau of Ordnance Survey dated February 13, 1942. In early February 1942, the U.S. Navy started initial repairs on the battleship U.S.S. California (BB-44) following the damage she sustained by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1942. Before being sent back, the Commanding officer of the U.S.S. California was transferring custody of various small arms to coastal artillery batteries, which were constructed in early 1942 for the island’s defense. Your rifle was recorded as being transferred to ‘Battery 3.’... Battery 3 refers to a coasted artillery battery located at Fort Weaver (Puuloa) and comprised of four 5-inch naval guns. There is no mention of the disposition of these rifles following the war’s conclusion.” Also included is a scanned copy of the American Rifleman online article recently
244 released on December 7th, 2021, titled “Pearl Harbor Survivors: M1903 Rifles Salvaged from U.S.S. California” by
treated and assembled into complete rifles for
issue. Many of these late Rock Island Arsenal rifles
were used by the Navy and Marines prior to the
adoption of the M1 Garand and continued to see
heavy use all the way through World War II. The
top of the late war arsenal replacement barrel is
stamped “HS” above the Ordnance shell and flame
insignia and the date “2 44”, and the receiver has
the standard four-line Rock Island Arsenal markings
above the serial number. Standard blade front sight and ladder rear sight with a dark face and 2,850 yard volley notch. Arsenal replacement straight handled bolt marked “B&S” (Brown and Sharpe) above the Ordnance shell and flame insignia on top of the handle and with a large gas hole. Arsenal replacement handguard and World War I era straight grip finger groove “S” pattern walnut stock with a large “RI” (Rock Island) stamped on the tip, two reinforcing bolts, a “V” stamped on the left of the wrist, a very faint circled script “P” firing proof behind the trigger guard only visible under hard light, faint “39” stamped at the toe, and a checkered steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% arsenal refurbished parkerized finish with some scattered light pitting underneath the finish on the rear barrel band and a few small patches of light pitting on the left of the receiver around the cut-off switch indicative of exposure to saltwater, and otherwise sharp receiver markings. Stock is very good as arsenal sanded and re-oiled, with some light scratches and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. As a strongly documented M1903 rifle that was present on the U.S.S. California during Pearl Harbor, this is a monumental piece of American history fit to be the centerpiece in any important firearms collection!
Estimate: 10,000 - 20,000