1903 Stock ID??

[RBruce]

I have a finger-grooved stock with several inspection marks, some seem unusual. I welcome any comments or explanations.

On the left wrist is J.F.C. in a box with a boxed R.A.-P slightly overlapping.
behind the rear sling swivel and forward of the trigger guard there are five point stars. On the lower wrist behind the trigger guard is a 7, and a P in a circle.

On the tip of the stock is a small S.in the cutoff recess is an E and possibly a Roman Numeral 5.

Inside the hand guard, there is an R at the rear sight end, and an N near the center. Inside the stock is an R forward on the magazine area, and some unidentifiable mark forward on the receiver area.

I'm aware that the JFC is Coyle at Springfield 1904-1918, and R.A.-P. is Raritan Arsenal post-WWII inspection. S on the tip probably indicates Springfield.

Mainly, I'm interested in finding out what the significance is of the two stars, the R inside the stock and hand guard, and the E in the cutoff area. --TIA

Information

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[RBruce]

More photos

[Rick the Librarian]

No idea about the R and stars. J.F. Coyle worked at Springfield longer than 1918 - I've seen SAJFC stamps and a few SA/JFC stamps which date at least to the mid-1930s. I will admit I haven't seen his JFC inspection stamp on Springfields after about 1917-1918.

The RA-P I think also dates to WWII, as well as post-WWII. The small S is a pre-1913 Springfield stock; a 1/4" S denoted Rock Island until they shut down (temporarily) production in 1913.

If you look at the left side of the stock, the upper edge, is it a "straight line" or does it have a "dogleg", like later stocks? (The so-called "high wall" stock). I can post a picture if you're not sure.

[John Beard]

Your stock was made at Springfield Armory circa 1907 and "J.F.C." is the original inspection stamp. The "R" inside the stock is an alteration mark. The "E" is the original Springfield Armory subinspection mark. I am not certain what the stars indicate.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[RBruce]

Here are two additional photos. I guess it was upgraded as it has two stock bolts. This stock came on an early Remington 1903 (SN 3,009,xxx) that I purchased about ten years ago. I've been looking for a replacement stock since then (boxed RLB).

[Mike D]

1903's originally given to the French, were turned over to the South Vietnamese when the French withdrew from Vietnam. Many communist countries have a five-ponted star on their flag (Vietnam, China, Russia, to name a few). Just me guessin' and bringing up a point.