Question about early NZ marked Remington 03's

[sm03]

The militarily marked New Zealand Rem. 1903's were stock stamped with an acceptance proof N, broad arrow and Z plus a number. If this is in fact a Government / Military acceptance proof where were they inspected and marked and by whom? Perhaps at the Remington Plant are did they ship to England with other Lend Lease weapons to be accepted there by a NZ representative or just accepted identified and stamped for New Zealand by the Britt's?



The NZ marked rifles I've seen are dated Nov. or Dec. of 1941. I doubt that we would have risked shipping to New Zealand at that point and the same with the English the U-boats had a strangle hold on them preventing them from shipping in or out. So did the NZ 1903's make it to New Zealand or spend the war in a British warehouse along with most of the Lend Lease Garand's and then imported back to the US commercially post war?

[John Beard]

The New Zealand markings you note are believed to be inventory tracking numbers, not Government/Military inspection/acceptance markings. The rifles were shipped to New Zealand and the Kiwi garrison on Fiji. The rifles saw war service, but in a limited capacity.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Dan Shapiro]

John, thanks once again for sharing your expertise!

[sm03]

Thanks John, your answer cleared up several questions I had about these interesting rifles.

Steve

[Fred]

The New Zealand markings you note are believed to be inventory tracking numbers, not Government/Military inspection/acceptance markings. The rifles were shipped to New Zealand and the Kiwi garrison on Fiji. The rifles saw war service, but in a limited capacity.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

That's pretty neat.

[Scott Wilson]

I have a friend who owns a NZ marked Remington 1903 with a 10-41 barrel date.

[John Beard]

I have a friend who owns a NZ marked Remington 1903 with a 10-41 barrel date.

Your friend owns a prize!

J.B.

[thek98sniper]

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/herbsgunshop/slideshow/1903%20Remington%20Modified

[John Beard]

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/herb...ton%20Modified

What are the serial number and barrel date of your rifle? Please advise.


Thanks! And thanks for sharing!

J.B.