1903 springfield marking

[surpman1911]

I got an old springfield from 1918 and it has all the correct cartouches but the marking at the end of the stock by the muzzle looks strange (see picture). I thought that this is where the manufacturer mark was stamped but this doesn't look like one. Does anybody know what this mark means?
-thanks

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[Rick the Librarian]

Undoubtedly a sub-inspection mark of some kind. The other markings you are bringing up would not have appeared on a 1918-era Springfield M1903 they were:

1. 1/4" "S" - appeared on Rock Island M1903s 1904-1913

2. 1/8" "S" - appeared on Springfield M1903s @ 1905-1913

3. "RI" - appeared on Rock Island M1903s, 1917-1919

4. small ordnance "bomb" - appeared on late Remington M1903s and M1903A3s and (I think) SC M1903A3s.

[surpman1911]

The other markings I'm referring to are the D.A.L inspection mark, the circle P, and the R.I-P re-arsenal mark. But yes that confirms my thoughts on the marking being different than usual. why would they put a sub-inspection mark there though?
Thanks

[Chuckindenver]

that stamp could be a number of things, most likely a location marking...rifles stacked side by side in a rack, this is the best way to see what rifle is what for inventory...
could be a lend lease marking, unit location marking, replacement stock marking...and so on..