03MK1 and a Hatcher hole

[snell]

Awhile back I acquired from the CMP a 03 MK1 ser# 10904xx. The barrel is a SA 12-18 which is consistant with the approximate manufacture date of the receiver. It has the deep rich blueing and the bore is great with a nice tight muzzle. It came with an 03A3 grey parked bolt...
It has however, a hatcher hole. This would seem to indicate it was refurbed and I'm amazed that it has the 12-18 barrel. I would have expected a refurb to be rebarreled as well. I wonder what caused the refurb. The finish looks like the origianl deep blue in use at the time and the barrel was OK.
Any thoughts or comments?

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[MD220]

I was at the N. store alot when the Greeks returned and the MK1's always seemed to have the best barrels as far as the 03's went.That being said,those in the know on this forum say the MK'1s saw little use in WW11,at least by the Corp.The Hatcher hole was probably added post war, or even by the Greeks upon receiving them.I doubt anyone would replace a good barrel.Just curious,is the breech white and does it have a MK1 stock?HTH

[John Beard]

Awhile back I acquired from the CMP a 03 MK1 ser# 10904xx. The barrel is a SA 12-18 which is consistant with the approximate manufacture date of the receiver. It has the deep rich blueing and the bore is great with a nice tight muzzle. It came with an 03A3 grey parked bolt...
It has however, a hatcher hole. This would seem to indicate it was refurbed and I'm amazed that it has the 12-18 barrel. I would have expected a refurb to be rebarreled as well. I wonder what caused the refurb. The finish looks like the origianl deep blue in use at the time and the barrel was OK.
Any thoughts or comments?

The "deep rich blueing" and Hatcher Hole are consistent with a CMP Greek rifle. The "deep rich blueing" is a Greek refinish. The original finish was not blueing. The Greeks probably refinished the rifle because the original finish was badly worn. The CMP Greek rifles were heavily divided between two categories: (1) those which the Greeks had refinished, and (2) those that needed refinishing.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[snell]

The breech appears to be blued and the stock is a replacement, without cartouches and without the Mk1 cutout. It has the typical Greek serial number stamping on the buttstock.
Incidentally, if anyone has a dark blue 03 bolt body that is surplus to their needs I will gladly take it off their hands.(hopeing of course that it headspaces on mine) The rifle just looks odd with the deep blueing and that grey bolt

[snell]

JB,
Thanks for the heads up. I didn't read the book closely enough. Apparently the transition from blue to park occured in mid 1918 at about Ser # 908001. So much for having an original finish
I'd still like to get rid of that fugley grey bolt however. The Greeks did a fine job with the refinish. Now if I could only get the last of the grease out of the stock

[Art]

Is there a letter "A" on the barrel below the arsenal mark and date. If so the rifle went through rebuild and the barrel was found to be "in spec." As to the "Hatcher hole," the Marines may have been the biggest "Hatcherizers" but certainly not the only ones.

[Bill H]

Test Test

[snell]

ickles ickles

[bonacker]

Took a few seconds to get it, but good reply Snell. Today will be bright after all.
Cheers, Don

[M1ak]

Where can I find more about the Hatcher Hole. Thanks