Arsenal Marks

I have an Eddystone m1917 with the following marks on the left side of the stock:

(boxed) RIA with FK underneath. I understand this to mean Rock Island Arsenal and the FK is the inspection manager's initials.

(boxed) 3 GM-K is underneath the (boxed) RIA FK. Several threads have mentioned that this might mean General Motors.

My questions are:

Am I wrong or right on the above assumption(s) and what is the 3 and K stand for?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by armabill

I have an Eddystone m1917 with the following marks on the left side of the stock:

(boxed) RIA with FK underneath. I understand this to mean Rock Island Arsenal and the FK is the inspection manager's initials.

(boxed) 3 GM-K is underneath the (boxed) RIA FK. Several threads have mentioned that this might mean General Motors.

My questions are:

Am I wrong or right on the above assumption(s) and what is the 3 and K stand for?

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The marks indicate that your rifle passed thru two facilities for at a minimum cleaning and repair prior to storage. THe FK stands for Frank Kraak.

The precise meaning of the 3 GM K stamp is unclear. It has been speculated that the GM stands for General Motors but as far as I know itr has not truly been documented. There is a certain amount of logic to the argument. The war ends - suddenly there are platoons of unemployed auto assembly workers - and all these dirty beat up but salvageable rifles.

Regards,

Jim

Thanks for the info. I read about as much in the one book that I have.

I thought that more info might have come to light after the book was printed.