1903 C.S.A.A. Questions

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So I have a 1903 that I thought had been turned into a sporter. On closer examination of the stock I found a double cannon C.S.A.A. ink stamp on it. At least I assume it is ink. It is very light. Flash photography shows it better than when seen with the naked eye. You can see it well in the photo. I know very little about 1903s. I had assumed the stock was an old aftermarket until seeing the stamp. It is cracked on the other end. Were these common stocks used on the 1903s and I don't know it? Any information on this gun is appreciated. When I acquired it, the scope rings were already mounted on it.
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---------- Post added at 03:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 AM ----------

Oh and also, I don't have pics at the moment, but I believe there are no barrel markings and the rear sight says "Redfield" on it. Can check in the morning.

Yep, Bubba f**ked up that M1903 good! There is no collector value left. Maybe the bolt, trigger guard and floor plate can interest a collector.

The stock is a former Remington M1903 or M1903A3 stock; the marking is a rebuild or inspection stamp from San Antonio Arsenal during WWII.

The barrel markings were on top near the front, but were covered/obliterated when Bubba installed the sporter front sight.

Not enough light on the rifle to read the serial number. If you want to tell us what it is, we can advise if the rifle is safe to fire (or not).

Neal

The receiver has the "old" style lettering, so virtually positive it is a low numbered rifle - probably @ 275,000 or lower.

The "ink stamp" comes from the cartouches being sanded off the stock, but oil and grease that had entered the wood through the broken fibers from being stamped show up even though the wood was sanded smooth for refinishing.

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Originally Posted by Neal Myers

Not enough light on the rifle to read the serial number. If you want to tell us what it is, we can advise if the rifle is safe to fire (or not).

Neal

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Here's another picture. It reads 23468.
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I've also inherited a Remington 1903-A3 with the serial number in the 4 millons as in 4,1XX,XXX. Can't remember exactly what it is at the moment. Is it safe to shoot?

The M1903/A3 is safe to shoot. According to the serial number it is made in Dec 1943 or Jan 1944. What's the date on the barrel? Is it original or has it been "sporterized"?
According to the serial number on the "sporterized" M1903 it was made in 1903, an early Rod Bayonet version. :crying:

...which was probably modified to fire 30-06 at a later date.

I do not mean to offend anyone, but....

I will not pronounce any gun "safe to shoot" unless I have held it in my hands & examined it. If I have not, I always say, "You should take it to a qualified gunsmith & have it inspected." There are just too many things that could be wrong.

For a low-numbered SA 1903, I will repeat the warning that CMP issued when selling them: Low numbered rifles should be considered unsafe to shoot.

Neal

@Neal Meyers: Neither would I, just slipped my mind this time. I already adviced 45aseep to have his rifle checked by a gunsmith before shooting in his kbk Wz. 98 post. That's why I didn't repeat it.

So, just to be sure ;-) @45aseep: Yes, but before you do, have a gunsmith check the weapon, just to be safe.

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Originally Posted by UNPROFOR1994

The M1903/A3 is safe to shoot. According to the serial number it is made in Dec 1943 or Jan 1944. What's the date on the barrel? Is it original or has it been "sporterized"?
According to the serial number on the "sporterized" M1903 it was made in 1903, an early Rod Bayonet version. :crying:

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The 1903-A3 I have is all original. It has on the barrel end - RA, and below that an unusual (to me) symbol and then below that 12-43. I take it that means December 1943. Yeah, bums me out about the M1903. I can't even turn it into an inclement weather hunting rifle. I hate ruining an original military gun, but I had hoped, since it had already been done, maybe I could work on it and give it a new lease on life. Not sure what to do with it now.

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Originally Posted by 45aseep

maybe I could work on it and give it a new lease on life

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You still can give it a new life. If it was my fathers rifle I wouldn't sell or scrap it and shoot lower pressure ammo out of it with chamber adapters.
That way you can turn it in to a single shot bolt action rifle that shoots 32 Short Colt, 32 Long, 32 H&R, .32 acp, 7,62x25, .30 carbine M1 or maybe even 7,62x39 (depending on your barrel diameter just to be safe for the 7,62x39).

CHAMBER ADAPTERS

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Originally Posted by UNPROFOR1994

shoot lower pressure ammo out of it with chamber adapters.

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An excellent alternative.