Eagle head cartouche evolution 1918

[Chuck Russell]

I was lucky to obtain M 1903, s/n 901,936, barrel dated, SA 7-18. It is about 6300 rifles from 895,550, SA 6-18 A, in my collection. The June rifle has an eagle head next to a block WES in rectangle. One month later the cartouche is lone eagle head. The eagle head is rather deeply stamped and heavy on the topside so little of the inspector's number is visible. Maybe this was the period of transition from the typical initials to the eagle head. Of interest to me, maybe to nobody else. M1903 SA 6-18 (1).jpgM1903 SA 6-18 (2).jpgM1903 SA 7-18 (2).jpgM1903 SA 7-18 (3).jpg

[Fred]

That's interesting Chuck. I too had a S.A. rifle with a 6-18 barrel that also had an eagle head stamp as well as the WES within a box stamp.
Like yours, my S.A. rifle with the 7-18 barrel has the eagle stamp but no WES within a box.

Rifle with the 6-18 barrel...

[Fred]

Rifle with the 7-18 barrel...

[PhillipM]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

[bruce]

Worthwhile thread. Excellent pictures. Appreciate it. Sincerely. bruce.