Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #4093
  • Lot #1443
Lot #1442
Lot #1444

Lot 1443: Owen Built Springfield Model 1903 Rifle Built for Elmer Keith

Historic R. G. Owen Built Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Sporting Rifle with Scope Built for American Handgunner Elmer Keith

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: December 7, 2024

Lot 1443: Owen Built Springfield Model 1903 Rifle Built for Elmer Keith

Historic R. G. Owen Built Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Sporting Rifle with Scope Built for American Handgunner Elmer Keith

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: December 7, 2024

Estimated Price: $4,500 - $7,500
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Historic R. G. Owen Built Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Sporting Rifle with Scope Built for American Handgunner Elmer Keith

Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1903
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 30-06 Springfield
Barrel: 24 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 2823
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 358
Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun
Bore Condition: Very good with some darkening and strong rifling
Description:

Built on a Springfield Model 1903 action by famous American rifle maker R. G. Owen for his long time friend Elmer Keith, the renown American handgunner and driving force behind the creation of the .357 Magnum, the .41 Magnum, and the .44 Magnum cartridges. The rifle is fitted with a blued barrel with a ramped blade front sight and signed "R.G.OWEN - SAQUOIT - NEW YORK - NUM 272" on the top. The barrel is fitted to the blue finished action which has likely been rehardened and retains its original manufacturer, model, and serial number markings. The action is fitted with a Lyman adjustable rear peep sight as well as an R. Noske scope mount which is holding a Hensoldt-Wetzlar Ziel-Dialyt 2 3/4x scope. The magazine floorplate is wonderfully engraved with the three letters "K" flanked by a smaller "E" and "M" for Elmer Merrifield Keith. The rifle is mounted is a nicely figured and multi-point checkered Schnabel tip pistol grip stock with a filler block in the magazine cut-off area, a set of sling swivels holding a leather sling, and a red rubber recoil pad. This is rifle has an exceptional pedigree being built by one of America's finest riflemakers for one of arguably the most famous sportsmen in the country and who Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks called "The father of big bore handgunning".

Rating Definition:

Very fine as built by R. G. Owen, retaining 98% blue finish with minor handling evidence, a few scratches on the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock. Mechanically excellent. Scope optics clear. A fantastic chance to own a rifle by one of America's finest craftsmen for one of the biggest names in shooting!



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #1203: World War I U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle

    Lot #1257: U.S. Springfield Armory M1903 Mark I Rifle with CMP Certificate

    Lot #1048: U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Sporting Rifle

    Lot #566: U.S. Springfield Model 1879 Trapdoor Rifle

    Lot #1146: U.S. Springfield Joslyn Breech Loading Rifle

    Lot #1353: Fabrique Nationale Mauser 98 Pattern Bolt Action Sporting Rifle