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A star gaged barrel with a drawing #C 64112 The number indicated a National Match rifle assemble . A star gaged barrel could have been purchased C64111 barrel only I believe you have a star gaged barrel Standard issue barrels are P proofed on the bottom Your is on top . I think the barrel is a bit late for the receiver .I did note the rear sight base windage scale is polished A plus The rear base may have came with the barrel, Need to see pic of the sight base cross pin .
It's odd because it looks like it was manufactured this way. Or at least it's been together a very long time as there is consistent wear (very little to none), the parts are original finish, and there is even patina over the piece. It could have been a DCM sale like this or NM sale, or someone just put it together from parts bought from DCM?
According to Brophy There were no national Match rifles produced during 1934 and 1935 and only 350 or so during 1933 That would indicate your rifle was assembled from parts .if your serial # falls in the 34 35 range A 1936 barrel may be unexplainable
If this rifle or receiver is not listed as a DCM or NM sale, could it have been something put aside for that, but unsold to civilians, and then assembled at SA for military use in the 1940s? I collect military rifles, not particularly M1903s and I have a documented M1903A1 NM rifle. I can say that this thing looks like it was assembled like this long ago, and has not been mixed up or changed around.
The only component later than the late 30s is the bolt, a BF 38 (1941), and the wear and finish on it is consistent with the rest of the rifle. I'm familiar with what put together rifles look like, and they invariably display "variance" in condition and fitting that the same rifle that has been together with the same components for 70 years. The parts, even with different finishes, tend to "merge" together as one. You guys know what I mean. I appreciate the opinions and help and am not piping sunshine and stories up my own behind, except to justify keeping this thing as part of my WW2 military rifle collection ;)
Yeah that has been together a long time. I have no doubt about that.
The only rifles listed as NM in the SRS are the ones who were sold commercially to Civilians. If for example a military rifle team owned a NM Rifle, that serial would only be listed in the SRS if Frank found the military document it was listed on. Which about never happened.
I have seen rifles that I think were NM that were sent through various stages of rebuild and ended up in duty as a regular service rifle. It's very possible.
It would seem to make sense that with WW2 pending in 1941, and particularly after Dec. 7, 1941, anything SA had would be finished up and out the door for military use and not DCM or civilian sales. We went from an army of 250,000 in 1940 to 3,000,000 in 1942. Those folks needed to be armed quick.
likely a special target.. not star gauged.. rail has a punch mark..every ST and NM iv seen have this punch mark
According to the Big Cheese.. ALL 1903 rifles have the punch mark . Some even 2 It has nothing to do with NM or T polished rails . Old Maid`s tale Check closely your standard 03s Its hard to see under the Parkerizing .
Did the punch mark denote assembly into a barreled action?
It is unknown .The punch is very light almost intended or machine applied .It may be a hardness test or case depth . I believe if you check other standard issue 03s you will see the punch mark as well .I think it is mistakenly associated with NM & T rifles with polished rails making the punch easily visible on a polished rail .Sorry to drag the thread . Good luck with your find >