03A4 Serial No. vs. Barrel Date

[Jim S.]

Is there a serial number vs. barrel date list for 0A4s? I just purchased a late first serial number block rifle (34268xx). It has an RA 8-43 2 groove barrel with the "P" on the bottom just back of the muzzle. I know that the rifle has undergone rebuild since it (and the scope) has been reparked. I was just wondering if the barrel would be original to the receiver.

Information

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[Jim Tarleton]

Looks about right, but others more knowledgeable may weigh in. According to my data, an 8-43 barrel would be in line.

Jim

[Rick the Librarian]

My information says an 8-43 barrel is about 5 months too "late". I will admit that I don't know if "exceptions" were made for M1903A4s in this. My feeling is that the barrel is a replacement.

[Don W]

I agree with Jim. 8-43 is just fine. Barrel dates seem to cover several months in that s/n range.

HTH, DW

[JGaynor]

I think Jim is correct in this case.

August and September 43 barrels are seen on a disproportionate share of A4's. There is a reason for this. on July 29, 43 Ordnance issued instructions to Remington to maintain a store of 1000 assembled A4's (less scopes) pending delivery of telescopic sights from Weaver or Lyman. A short time later (August 13, 43) they modified those instructions increasing the required inventory of assembled rifles (less telescope) to 2000 .

A4 barrels were basically taken from A3 production but then specially selected for uniformity of the ream diameter. So when ordnance issued the orders to build the rifles Remington's production people reacted by building up stores of components including barrels.

August and September 43 barrels were utilized predominently on rifles that were assembled and shipped from August 43 until January 44. This time period basically spans the last half of the first block or about 10,000 rifles. Some other barrel dates are also seen in that range but August and September are seen most often.

The 'flyers' in barrel dates reflecting replacement barrels more often than not are early 44 dates (Feb, Mar) when the big spare part orders were produced.

In the case of A3's a different dynamic was at work. At the height of production Remington was cranking out 50 or 60 thousand A3's every month.
Each months A3 production was essentially twice that of the entire year and half long run for A4's. Essentially every month shipments were made which were very close to the totals months production (see the appendix in Campbell 2003). A relatively small, consistent percentage of A3 rifles remained in inventory each month. This probably represented work-in-process and items needing rework.

Unlike the A4, Remington was in control of the important aspects of A3 production so it stands to reason that there would be a much tighter and more linear relationship between barrel dates and rifle serial numbers.

(See "Snarls, Snafus and Snipers - The story behind the M1903A4 Sniper Rifle", William Hansen, Remington Society of America Journal Fall 2004 for the best account of A4 production.)

Regards,

Jim

[Jim S.]

Thanks all for the responses.

I did email the Remington Society of America to try to obtain a copy of "Snarls, Snafus and Snipers - The story behind the M1903A4 Sniper Rifle" by William Hansen; however, I never got a response. Does anyone know the best way to contact them as this sounds like a great article to have.

[Rick the Librarian]

I know in a "regular" M1903A3, the rule of thumb was 0-2 months "behind" the indicated receiver serialization date. I had a feeling there might have been an exception for M1903A4s. I'll file this information concerning M1903A4s away for future reference.

Rick

[JGaynor]

Thanks all for the responses.

I did email the Remington Society of America to try to obtain a copy of "Snarls, Snafus and Snipers - The story behind the M1903A4 Sniper Rifle" by William Hansen; however, I never got a response. Does anyone know the best way to contact them as this sounds like a great article to have.

Jim I would follow up with another email or call them.

RSA Treasurer Robert Kneppler
RBK SERVICES
718 WESTCOTT STREET
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77007-5071
713-864-0909
fax 713-864-0919
Email: rsa@rbkservices.com


Regards,

Jim

[Jim S.]

Jim,
Sent off another email. If that doesn't work I'll give them a call.
It seems like there's always a lot to learn. I've read some of the general info on A4s, but this article seems to be a good place to go for more detail.
Jim S.