Picked up this rifle a while back and haven't messed with it much. Got it out the other day and was wondering what the markings on the stock designate.

It's an early no. springfield in the 448,xxx range and it has a S.A. 6-42 barrel.

Thanks, Roger

Not familiar w/ RRA stamping in stock nor the square P stamping which normally means passed inspection for serviceablity. Usually a P within a circle?? Did note the S/N range and it is an early Springfield and it is not suggested that you fire the rifle due to some hardness problems in manufacturing back then. Think break point is in the high 800,000 range for safe actions. Barrel date of 42 does not corresspond w/ S/N of receiver and note it has a Remington striker/bolt??( R stamping seen.)
Have seen early RIA which is Rock Island Armory and their safe range S/N wise is something over 285,000 S/N range. Am sure there are several Springfield experts on here that can perhaps give a factual answer to your question about the stock stampings, but I am not familiar with them.

I'm not an expert on this topic....but that is a 1903 with a WWII dated barrel, in a 'C' style stock (pistol grip). Obviously it has gone through some 'changes' during it's tour of duty.

ADDITIONAL: Also appears to have a machined 1903 type triggerguard, not the 03-A3 stamped triggerguard.

Just a guess but how aboutWW2 rebuild at Red River Arsenal in Texas?

Thanks guys, maybe someone whose specialty is Springfields will chime in.

I was aware of the low # Springfields rumored to being unsafe to fire, but, this one has been fired enough to wear out at least one barrel hence the WWII barrel date.

I haven't fired this one, yet, although the bore is very nice and the headspace checks out OK.

Roger

quote:

Originally posted by mousegun1:
Just a guess but how aboutWW2 rebuild at Red River Arsenal in Texas?

mousegun1 may be the winner. It never occurred to me, but, now that you mention it, I have a Garand that was rebuilt at Red River Arsenal.

I'll dig it out of the safe tomorrow and see if the markings match.

Thanks, Roger

I forgot about the RRA/Texas source and would say that is correct. As for the safety of the rifle being shot, I understand many have been shot and the receivers were placed in service and used in battle. However, the failure history of the early Springfields and Rock Island low S/N's is well documented and it is generally accepted that they should not be shot for fear of turning into shrapnel.
Friend of mine is a collector and has several low numbers and he does shoot them. Can tell you that at Camp Perry National Matches you are not permitted to use a low number receiver in matches???? Just a friendly reminder.

Not all the low numbers got a bad heat treat- use would weed out the bad ones- new barrel - WW 2 bolt - I've shot mine- I read something in Elmer Keith's book - He says he put two proof rounds thru many low number 03's with new barrels and bolts and he felt safe with it. they were issued to someone.

http://m1903.com/isid.htm r in s.

Thanks r in s, here is what I found on that website. It is most definately a WWII rebuild at the Red River arsenal.



Marking on Stock Arsenal Performing Overhaul
AA Augusta Arsenal
AN Anniston Arsenal
BA Benicia Arsenal
HOD Hawaiian Ordnance Depot.
MR Mt. Ranier Arsenal
OG Ogden Arsenal
PaOD Panama Ordnance Depot.
POD Philippine Ordnance Depot.
RA Raritan Arsenal
RIA Rock Island Arsenal
RRA Red River Arsenal
SA Springfield Armory
SAA San Antonio Arsenal

Note: Except for Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal, most of the above ordnance facilities did not overhaul weapons until World War II and later. After the rifles were rebuilt, the initials of the facility and, occasionally, the initials of the individual inspector as well were stamped on the left side of the stock.

As a side note, I have Rem. 1917 Enfield with the inspector stamp O.G.E.K. inside of a rectangle box which was Elmer Keith's inspector stamp at the Ogden, Utah arsenal.

Unfortunately, it was sporterized when I got it and rechambered to 308 Norma.

I named that rifle "Elmer".