03a3 with target barrel stamped R & O 1964

[godevil]

Have a 1903a3 with a heavy target barrel in 308. I took the stock off and on the bottom side of barrel about 3 inches forward of the receiver ring is stamped R & O 1964. What can anyone tell me about this.

Thanks,
Go-Devil

Information

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[Emri]

Can't say specifically, but the marking, R & O 1964, is probably the mark and date put on by the person who did the barrel work. A friend of mine who used to do custom barrel work always put his name and the date on the bottom of the barrel under the chamber area.

HTH,

Emri

[godevil]

Thanks EMri, those were my same thoughts. The R & O still throws me though. Seems like the smith would have used his name. Was hoping maybe the Army or Marine Amourer's were thinking about up dating an A3 to a sniper configuration since there was no real sniper program or rifle at the time. Hence the Remington model 700 and Winchester model 70 being pressed into service.

Thanks,
GoDevil

[Emri]

R & O may well be the name of a "shop". i.e.- "Robert & Orvis" , "Ray & Oliver"
etc.

FWIW,

Emri

[Chuckindenver]

Reminton 700 didnt get used untill 1966-67, the Model 70 was being used and the standard sniper rifle at the time.
most were target rifles, some Garand and A4,s saw use in that timeframe, but not very many.
they played with the 722 and 721 for sniper use, but never issued them, thought the cal, choice was strange. Rockisland museum has a few on display in .280 the discription tag says field trial for snipers use.
they also played with the Winchester M88 in .308 Win, at the same timeframe.
the example on display at Cody is parkerized, and has a bayonet lug, discription tag says used in Nam by special forces troops.
i have a picture someplace..

[godevil]

Thanks guy for all your help with my barrel stamp question. I thought it was to good to be be true. When I 1st saw the stamps I could have swore I heard Angels from Heaven singing. You guys know the sound. I knew it was a strech but why not ask the experts on the forum. Thanks for the info Chuck

Stay strong

[edlmann]

they also played with the Winchester M88 in .308 Win, at the same timeframe.
the example on display at Cody is parkerized, and has a bayonet lug, discription tag says used in Nam by special forces troops.
i have a picture someplace..

Love to see that.

[Chuckindenver]

i belive all the Cody pics are still on floppy disc, from my old camera, id have to dig through them and find it.
ill look on line and see if Cody has a list.