has anyone seen a P like this on a carbine stock before?

[duke133]

I found this rifle and there is a very small P on the comb. I have never seen one like this before. Anyone ever seen something like this before?30097

[duke133]

guess not.

[CarbineMike]

I didn't see a p in the picture. Could you try posting a better picture.

[phil441]

I'm not sure what that mark might be

[duke133]

That's about as close as I can get it. I used a glass on it after I could feel the indentation of the mark and it is a VERY small P but I have never seen anything like this before. It doesn't look like something made by hand so I have no idea how it got there. I'll see if I can get any closer but I doubt it. It's cloudy this AM so I'll bring it outside and try using natural light.

[duke133]

30194So, I tried outside and now it looks like an R and maybe an A after it but still, this doesn't look like any Raritan mark I have ever seen before. Any ideas or is it just my old eyes playing tricks on me now?

[Johnny P]

Looks more like a RA with the right side trailing off. Maybe an RA-P that wasn't a full stamp? Probably sanded over also.

http://i59.tinypic.com/hsur6t.jpg

[duke133]

Hey Johnny P, that's a whole lot better than what I could get. Thanks but still I don't ever recall seeing anything like that as small as it is. This is on an RMC stock and no other markings. Thanks again

[duke133]

After replying I remembered "working" on my first carbine, a QHMC, I got around '70. The guy I bought it from needed the cash and it was his Dad's from the war. It had all the proper markings but the stock was dirty and full of grease. Not knowing any better back then I used several hot water baths to soak out all the oils and grease. Of course, all the stamps came out, especially after I lightly sanded it down before putting linseed oil on the wood. The only marking left is the Q in the sling well but boy, did the wood ever look nice. Now I'm older and wiser and regret what I did but.....

[Johnny P]

The hot water does just about the same thing as steaming out dents. It raises the displaced fibers, which the stampings are. The only cleaning I give them is a heavy coat of boiled linseed oil mixed 50/50 with turpentine. Let it set about thirty minutes and give it a good scrubbing with toweling. If needed repeat, and then with your hands smooth out the small amount remaining.

[duke133]

I don't even go that far after learning over the past many years about stocks and what to/not to do to them. I might use a little damp rag if a stock is real dirty but I mainly leave them alone once I realized what I did to the Quality carbine back in the early '70's. Thanks again.

[6kidsdad]

I am pretty much the same way. At this point, if it is an original stock, I do not even bother with a damp rag. I just leave them alone due to unpleasant past experience.

[jimb]

its an RAP marking.

[duke133]

Thankis jimb.

[bug]

its an RAP marking.

Jimb, what does RAP mean?
Bob D

[Tuna]

It's RA-P for Raritan Arsenal which is the RA and then the P for the proof.

[Johnny P]

I had always heard that the P stood for the person in charge of rebuild/inspection. This month's American Rifle identifies who it was, Harry Petersen.

[Tuna]

It could be Johnny. It's what is listed in my reference material as being P for the proof and it's been wrong before.

[Johnny P]

Several of the arsenals used this with a slight variation. San Antonio Arsenal used C-SAA, and Benecia Arsenal had several variations such as BA-WK, BA-JL, BA-WL, and BA-JS. Springfield used a boxed version with the inspector initial under SA.