Stamped parts with "RP"

Printable View

03-15-2011, 01:38 PM
jburg318

Stamped parts with "RP"

I have seen online that the manufacturer for 1903a3 parts stamped "RP" was a contractor for Remington Arms. Does anyone know the time frame for when the butt swivel and hand guard ring for a Remington rifle began being replaced with "RP" stamped parts instead of "R"? I want to know what time they would fit in for being a "correct" part. Thanks.

Jon

---------- Post added at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 PM ----------

Also, who was the manufacturer for "RP" stamped parts? I can't seem to find that out.

Thanks
03-15-2011, 06:59 PM
budmant

I could be wrong ( just ask my wife LOL), but I believe RP stands for Rochester Products.
03-16-2011, 03:52 AM
JGaynor

iam not sure that the lower sling swivel ever just had an "R" during 03-A3 and A4 production. The A4's i have studied have all had RP swivels. A4 shipments (completed rifles out the door - ran from Feb 43 through the summer of 44)

Regards,

Jim
03-16-2011, 01:42 PM
Chuckindenver

RP Rochester Products RS Roller Smith.
BP Bay Products.
03-17-2011, 02:02 AM
John Beard

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGaynor

iam not sure that the lower sling swivel ever just had an "R" during 03-A3 and A4 production. The A4's i have studied have all had RP swivels. A4 shipments (completed rifles out the door - ran from Feb 43 through the summer of 44)

Regards,

Jim

The "RP" butt swivel did not appear until later '03-A3 production. Early and mid-production '03-A3's had "R" marked butt swivels.

J.B.

---------- Post added at 12:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by jburg318

I have seen online that the manufacturer for 1903a3 parts stamped "RP" was a contractor for Remington Arms. Does anyone know the time frame for when the butt swivel and hand guard ring for a Remington rifle began being replaced with "RP" stamped parts instead of "R"? I want to know what time they would fit in for being a "correct" part. Thanks.

Jon

---------- Post added at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 PM ----------

Also, who was the manufacturer for "RP" stamped parts? I can't seem to find that out.

Thanks

The information you seek is not published anywhere that I am aware of. If you give us your rifle's serial number, perhaps we can tell you which butt swivel it should have.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

---------- Post added at 01:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by budmant

I could be wrong ( just ask my wife LOL), but I believe RP stands for Rochester Products.

A September, 1944-dated Ordnance list of manufacturer's codes identifies "RP" as "Redfield". A second undated manufacturer's code list from WWII also identifies "RP" as "Redfield". No additional information is provided.

J.B.
03-17-2011, 08:26 AM
Rick the Librarian

Oh, interesting! I had always been told Rochester Products! Another myth to class with Santa Claus and the Easter bunny!! :D
03-17-2011, 09:55 AM
JGaynor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick the Librarian

Oh, interesting! I had always been told Rochester Products! Another myth to class with Santa Claus and the Easter bunny!! :D

Rick i wouldn't drive offf that bridge just yet.

Regards,

Jim:wave:
03-17-2011, 10:09 AM
jburg318

My rifle serial number is 4183XXX. The barrel is stamped with the "flaming bomb" and RA and dated 11-43. Both the buttswivel and handguard ring are marked with an RP. The only parts which aren't R marked are the follower and stacking swivel (assuming Smith and Corona, both are blued and stamped), cocking piece (unmarked, looks to be off a 1903 from Springfield Armory), the rear sight assembly (Hadley tool company), striker sleeve (assuming this is correct because I cannot find an "R" marked one anywhere online??), and retaining band (can't really tell on that one, not sure if you have to take it off to see it. If that's the case, haven't done so yet).

I already bought an "R" marked stamped follower and stacking swivel and will be going through gunbroker for the rear sight and Amherst Depot for the cocking piece and the front band screw (threads are buggered)

All small parts are blued including the entire bolt assembly. With the barrel and receiver being parkerized with a green tinge.

Stock was refinished, what looks like, 40+ years ago by the original owner in seeing the cartouches are quite faint and you can make out subtle sandpaper marks. I can make out the cartouches FJA (unboxed), RA, ordnance stamp (crossed cannons), circled proof "P" behind the trigger guard, and 4 sub-inspector marks in front of the trigger guard/floorplate (no diamonds). The retaining band/spring cut is squared off as it should be on a Remington manufactured stock.

---------- Post added at 10:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 AM ----------

Thx for the answers so far everyone!
03-17-2011, 01:07 PM
Chuckindenver

iv asked a close friend that was a production manager for Redfield during WW2 through 1960....said never happened.
the only Gov contract work they delt with were sight related.
said they did make a large amount of M1 Granand, BAR, and 1928 SMG sight parts... he had some to show me...no special markings that i could see.
id say the Rochester Products is more likely a fact., they were set up to do much more stamped steel and wire bending ...Rochester is a division of GMC they made all sorts of stuff for the military.
03-19-2011, 06:13 PM
John Beard

Quote:

Originally Posted by jburg318

My rifle serial number is 4183XXX. The barrel is stamped with the "flaming bomb" and RA and dated 11-43. Both the buttswivel and handguard ring are marked with an RP. The only parts which aren't R marked are the follower and stacking swivel (assuming Smith and Corona, both are blued and stamped), cocking piece (unmarked, looks to be off a 1903 from Springfield Armory), the rear sight assembly (Hadley tool company), striker sleeve (assuming this is correct because I cannot find an "R" marked one anywhere online??), and retaining band (can't really tell on that one, not sure if you have to take it off to see it. If that's the case, haven't done so yet).

I already bought an "R" marked stamped follower and stacking swivel and will be going through gunbroker for the rear sight and Amherst Depot for the cocking piece and the front band screw (threads are buggered)

All small parts are blued including the entire bolt assembly. With the barrel and receiver being parkerized with a green tinge.

Stock was refinished, what looks like, 40+ years ago by the original owner in seeing the cartouches are quite faint and you can make out subtle sandpaper marks. I can make out the cartouches FJA (unboxed), RA, ordnance stamp (crossed cannons), circled proof "P" behind the trigger guard, and 4 sub-inspector marks in front of the trigger guard/floorplate (no diamonds). The retaining band/spring cut is squared off as it should be on a Remington manufactured stock.

---------- Post added at 10:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 AM ----------

Thx for the answers so far everyone!

Your rifle's handguard ring and butt swivel should be correctly marked with "RP".

J.B.
03-19-2011, 06:24 PM
John Beard

2 Attachment(s)

WWII Ordnance Contractor Identification Codes

For the benefit of the skeptical.

Attachment 21547 Attachment 21548

These are original documents from the files of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance in the National Archives. :wave:

J.B.
03-20-2011, 01:19 AM
JGaynor

John, thanks for posting the list. Still have some questions however.

Regards,

Jim
03-20-2011, 11:08 AM
John Beard

I neglected to mention that the pages are extracted from two separate documents. They are not the same document. One has more pages than the other. Both came from the same file in the National Archives.

I also point out that Redfield Gun Sight's code is "RG". So, the "RP" Redfield is a different company. And, finally, you should be aware that Redfield is a small town in New York not far from Ilion.

And, finally, I will mention that these documents in their entirety were posted on the CMP website for a number of months before being taken down. I will make these documents available for permanent posting on this website if interested.

I rest my case!

J.B.
03-21-2011, 02:54 AM
45B20

Yes, most definitely, and thank you.

45B20
03-21-2011, 10:48 AM
Chuckindenver

makes since.....could this contract have been for the Savage Trenchgun swivles???they are similer but are different when veiwed side by side...
03-21-2011, 11:05 AM
jarrodeu

I've got 2 original 4,18x,xxx 03-A3's. One rear swivel is marked RP, the other is marked R. So they must have still used at least a few R marked swivels late in production.

Jarrod