M1903 help please

I have wanted to post for sometime and am just now getting around to it.

My father and I recently acquired a M1903 with a 4 digit serial number 5846. It is a Springfield barrel dated 10-13 and has many early features.

My question is about the stock markings. We am aware that this is a transition piece with the correct 30-06 rear and upper handguard. In 1905 they started converting these rod bayonet rifles and were through by 1909/09. This conversion was done October of 1913 at the Springfield arsenal. This rifle was done much later in (1913) and the barrel is prestine bore is mint. The rifle shows no evidence it was arsenalled for WWII.

Questions:
Why did it take so long to modify this rifle.

Where has this rifle been since 1913 because theres no evidence it was hsed in WWI or WWII.

What does the stock marking CV mean?

Trying to post pics unable to do so looking for how to now

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulster2

Trying to post pics unable to do so looking for how to now

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Try this thread... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=56629

I can't answer all your questions, but I will post some commentary.

While it's certainly possible that your rifle was not altered until 1913, a more likely scenario is that your rifle was altered by 1910, then subsequently re-barreled in 1913.

One can only speculate how the rifle skipped service in WWI and WWII. The rifle may have been purchased by a military officer after being re-barreled. Or the rifle may have been issued to the Coast Guard or some other entity where the rifle sat in a rack or saw limited service.

A CV marking in the stock may be the partially obliterated inspection stamp of Charles C. Valentine. He was an inspector during that period.

J.B.

here are some photos of a CCV cartouche on a early SA 1903 stockAttachment 136086Attachment 136087