remington A3

OK, here's a photo of the serial number scribed on the bolt.


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...03A3bolt-1.jpg

Doesn't appear to be electo-penciled.

Jim

agree, not arc engraved.

As to DCM direct sales, they DID take place. During the early 1960s, at the time the DCM was selling M1903A3s through the NRA. I went with my mentor at the time to the U.S.Army terminal, Bayonne, NJ. He was a NRA life member, and they allowed him to go through a pile (I mean in a pile) of '03A3s, pick one out, fill out a form and take it home. No charge for packing and handling, as there was none. Cash and carry. I became a member, went through the NRA, got an invoice, sent my money to the arsenal, got shipment from Letterkenny Depot. $14.50 plus REA collect. Still have it. Lost the box.

go to the photobucket link to see the box and after clean up pics

1903a3 BEFORE pictures by Selmalinapilchard - Photobucket

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...100_1217-1.jpg

Hey Neal,

Thanks for the photo. The serialized bolt is a puzzle to me. The first four numbers apear to have been applied later than the last three and by a different hand? Have no clue.

LB

Hey Chuck,

Can you tell us what arc engraving is? Is that what the USMC used to serialize bolts as opposed to the electro-pencil? Never looked at my serialized bolt with a loupe, might have to take a look.

Lancebear

OK, this the closest my camera will get to the serial number. But, looking at it with a 10x jewelers loupe, I can see the dots within the numbers. So, that makes me think it was done with a vibrating engraver.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Hey Neal,

Thanks for the additional photo. Do the numbers on your bolt feel raised to the touch?

Looked up arc engraving, it involves a battery or electrical hook up and a fine tipped point...guessing that it is a little like welding without adding metal, just moving it. The numbers on my bolt are neatly done. They feel raised to the touch and under a 16X loupe they look like a very fine welding bead. I could be wrong:)

The bolt would have been done in probably 1940 or 1941, that's when my rifle was put together by the USMC.

Lancebear