New 1903

[twh]

Acquired a new 1903 which, as I was cleaning it, I noticed it had the wrench marks forward of the rear sight base normally associated with Marine Corp use but it has none of the other characteristics. It does have an nice DAL marked stock and decent Avis barrel. Are the pipe wrench marks in and of themselves indicative of anything?image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg

[John Beard]

Pipe wrench marks in an Avis barrel on SA S/N 454709 are not a significant indication of USMC issuance. The pipe wrench marks may simply indicate that Bubba's occupation is a plumber.

J.B.

[RCS]

barrel marks

Until sometime in the early 1960's. the US Navy Base at Great Lakes had a small retail store were surplus items were sold to the public.

Model 1903A3 barrel actions were $10 each and 1903 barrels were $3.00 each

I have an old friend that still has two 1903 barrels that were purchased from Great Lakes, one is 1941 dated Sedgley USMC barrel and the
other is a Jan 1931 SA barrel.

Both barrels have the same type of barrel marks that are just like the USMC 1903 rifles as the barrel installation or removable was done by
the navy. Photos show the SA barrel, as these barrels were used during training, most have some rust in the first inch down the bore as
they were never cleaned.

[twh]

Thanks for the replies and Marine affiliation or not I still like it.