SS stock marking 1903A3

[Klondike]

My Remington A3 # 4088851 carries the following stock markings. The "P" behind the trigger guard. An "O G " on left side of stock. A " S S" stamped on left side of stock near the butt.
I can find no explanation for the S S. Answers?

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[John Beard]

The "SS" marking you describe has appeared on a number of '03-A3's. But, so far, no one has come up with an explanation for it.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Emri]

I saw one on an auction site the other day. When I saw it I remembered this question being asked before. I wondered at the time if there were that many instances of the SS marking or if the same rifle was being discussed at various times. If John says he has seen numerous examples of the marking I'll go with different instances instead of the same rifle.

Thanks John,

Emri

P.S.- SS means "super stock". They were a little raceier than factory stocks!

[Arisaka99]

I have seen several with a similar size and font US in the same location as well (the photo is my 99% Remingon 1903A3 in the 4203xxx range). Here is my proposed explanation: I believe this stamping reflects the arsenal grading system meaning serviceable and unserviceable for rifles that were sold DCM in 1950s through 1963. ( Based on observed examples of near mint arsenal original rifles with CMP paperwork listing them as unserviceable, many of these were merely un-inspected and therefore could not be sold as serviceable).

Campbell's book details this classification on page 140 of his book. The SS and US stampings I have seen were always fresh and crisp enough that they were likely done when they were taken out of a particular rack for shipping. The final "formal" designation by an arsenal employee to meet some obscure interpretation of the surplus sales regulations? I would say there is strong circumstantial evidence that US means "Unserviceable Surplus" and SS means "Serviceable Surplus". It does fit the evidence and history... research anyone?

[Klondike]

[/IMG]
Thank you for the replies. Here is a shot of the markings.

[firstflabn]

Nice work, guys. I have just acquired 3475xxx that has both OG AND BA-W.L. rebuild cartouches with a 7/32" high US stamp on the left side near the buttplate. The 'US' runs parallel to the barrel. Its 12-43 barrel (yes, I'm sure) is probably a replacement, but I can't help but wonder if that is the case, which arsenal did the replacement.

I'm new to this, but the receiver looks brand new, so I think it unlikely the first barrel wore out. The bore is pristine - except for closet crud that came out with one patch. Also, dribs and drabs of cosmoline in the tight corners - perhaps an indication of a DCM gun that was rarely used? Good luck on your detective story.

[tazaroo]

I saw one on an auction site the other day. When I saw it I remembered this question being asked before. I wondered at the time if there were that many instances of the SS marking or if the same rifle was being discussed at various times. If John says he has seen numerous examples of the marking I'll go with different instances instead of the same rifle.

Thanks John,

Emri

P.S.- SS means "super stock". They were a little raceier than factory stocks!

C'mon guys............it's a nazi capture. Seriously though, I saw the same gunbroker auction and it's a post WWII rebuild which is what I have only seen the "SS" markings on and only on OG open box cartouche marked rifles. I would think it's some inspector at Ogden. IMHO......that rebuild is still overpriced if it's the same one I'm thinking of.