Question about originality of LN SA M1903...NOT about safety to fire!

[artyldr01]

Great info, Thank you! I will flip the band and try to give some TLC to the sling. She is a prized artifact for my collection (nonfiring). I love her.

[PhillipM]

Sorry, on my phone the rifle looked like the finish was worn off.

[PhillipM]

Great info, Thank you! I will flip the band and try to give some TLC to the sling. She is a prized artifact for my collection (nonfiring). I love her.

The band is marked with the "U" because it has a slight taper. Since it is on backwards it may be tight so try sliding the upper hand guard and band forward together.

[artyldr01]

Thanks for the pointer! It truly is a beautiful rifle. Now hopefully Brody's book is under the tree!

[Punch the Clown]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the trigger guard screws look like they were staked. Beautiful rifle.

[Johnny P]

Rear band is on backwards.

[artyldr01]

It does look like that might be the case but both screws still unscrew. I was curious as to their purpose as well and didn't even consider that, thanks for the observation!

[artyldr01]

I fixed the rear band. When I took it apart I took a few more photos. It appears to still have plenty of cosmoline here and there, which I intend to leave in place. The only markings I've seen so far are on the barrel a C123 on the bottom of the barrel about midbore, then near the receiver a small, poorly struck, ordnance bomb with a S? and then where that mates with the receiver a similar ordnance bomb with perhaps a 43 or 13? Looks more like a 4. The magazine spring has an E I presume to mean Eddystone. I appreciate the insight and education. I truly enjoy trying to piece together the story of these great veterans.

[Johnny P]

The U is for up. The U had been used for years before the Model 1903 rifle, and continued until a stamped lower band replaced the machined band.

[artyldr01]

Got her corrected!

[artyldr01]

Thank you all very much. Does anyone have any thoughts on what the "L" in front of the Serif "P" proof and the 3K in front of the magazine well mean? I have scoured all the forums, digging in books, can't find a thing.