03a3 rearsenaled or not?

[milboltnut]

Just picked up an 03a3.... matching barrel and receiver.

Was wondering about the stock markings in front of the magazine.

There's 4.

89 in a square

1 in a triangle

11 in a circle

5 in a circle

Also an M in front of the Pressure Mark behind the trigger guard.

[Johnny P]

Not much to go on there. More to follow?

[Rick the Librarian]

Most of the markings you list are those stamped during manufacture. I agree with JP we'd have to have more information, as well as some pictures.

[milboltnut]

the only other marking is the inspectors stamp FJA... what else do you need?

[Doug Douglass]

Pictures???

[Rick the Librarian]

We can't really tell you much - An FJA is seen on virtually all M1903A3s. It is the inspection stamp of the Rochester Ordnance District. Frank J. Atwood (FJA) was the commander, not the inspector.

[Rick the Librarian]

When you ask about identifying an overhauled rifle, it is extremely difficult with photos, as finish is one of the main identifiers.

Serial number (at least the first few digits) and barrel date would be a start. Any barrel date after 12/43 or 1/44 is a sign the rifle was overhauled, but only one of them.

[milboltnut]

SANY0065.jpg

SANY0066.jpg

SANY0070.jpg


SANY0077.jpg

[milboltnut]

I see the cutoff is off color... appears to be rearsenaled.

[Punch the Clown]

Bolt for sure is re-finished. Can't really see enough of the other metal.

[Rick the Librarian]

The barrel is original, but a lot of the rest appears to be refinished or a replacement. The Trigger guard is the earlier "small" bow.

[milboltnut]

I'm sure it is Rick....it definately seen minimal use though.

Just reading an artical from Canfield... the 1917's seen even less. My 17 has a JA replacement. According to his artical the 17's were used primarly for training and supplemental. For as bad as my barrel is i'm thinking it was used for training. I always wondered why the rest of the rifle was in as good a shape as it was compared to the barrel. Still shoots good though, can't center it... shoots off to the right, couple of inches high.

[Rick the Librarian]

It may not have seen much "activity" since it was rebuilt.

M1917s saw quite a bit of action in WWII - they were used by the British, French, Chinese and Filipinos, to name but a few. You're also right that many saw use in training, as well.

[milboltnut]

the parkerization is too great a shape to see much activity at all. Did they repark as part of the rebuild?

[Rick the Librarian]

Yep ...