03 Barrel Markings

[JasonA]

I finally found the 03 I've been looking for. Appears to be all orignal with an excellent bore. The correct stock and handguard, barrel date of 4-18, serial number of 842XXX. It is a shooter. My question is this. THe barrel marking is SA 4-18 over a capital letter A. What does the A stand for?

Information

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[Emri]

Nice rifle, thanks for showing us. The meaning of the "A" on your barrel is un-known. On earlier rifles before WWI, the "A" meant that the barrel was found "acceptable" during a re-build.

HTH,

Emri

[Chuckindenver]

nice rifle..bolt looks to be an A3 bolt.

[JasonA]

Yeah, I know the bolt is not original. Someone put a bolt in it that is marked BF 38. I believe that dates it to '42. However, the patina is the same, someone changed the safety at one time because it has the early style serifs on the writing. Plus I am really not sure about what bolts with straight handles were safe. Isn't there an issue with some of the those bolts? Anyway, it shoots just fine with this one, the rest of the rifle appears correct. I shoot cast loads only anyway. With my milder loads, I don't think I will ever have any problems or wear the barrel out.

[Chuckindenver]

whats the serial number range of the rifle?

[JasonA]

Action serial number is 8424XX. According to what I have read, that is a safe number and the manufacture date is correct for 4-18. I am proud of the way this one shoots. It is almost as good as my Mark 1 with a WWII replacement HS barrel. I am pleased.

[Chuckindenver]

sweet...good score.. bolt should be fine....

[Mike D]

Could one of you guys please explain again why the "A" lost it's meaning?

I think I remember JB saying some "original" rifles have been observed with the "A".

What about any "new" rifles with an "A"??

[Chuckindenver]

the A may have been used during a standard clean and safety check, and not during a rebuild..as well as a bare barrel that may have been checked as well.

[DeputyBill]

Action serial number is 8424XX. According to what I have read, that is a safe number and the manufacture date is correct for 4-18. I am proud of the way this one shoots. It is almost as good as my Mark 1 with a WWII replacement HS barrel. I am pleased.

Jason,
That's a great-looking rifle... I agree: Nice score!
I have one very similar, 35 thousand rifles & 1 month later. My barrel is correct for the serial number & is dated 5 - 18, with an "A" beneath.

Are there any stock markings?

-Bill