1903 Springfield Barrel Marking

[vp146b4]

I just acquired a really nice finger groove 03, 8439xx with a SA, the flaming bomb, then, 3/18 marked on the barrel. Centered directly under the date, on the barrel, is clearly a single letter A. I've read that Springfield barrels were short, around that time, and there were barrels made by another manufacture, and they were marked AV, were then put on Springfields. Is that what I have? I didn't think they would have both the SA and an A on the barrel. Any help will be appreciated

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[RCS]

I believe is extra A stamp is from an inspector. Barrels from your rifle would be R.I.A., S.A. or A.V.

I have a S.A over 05 with the single A stamp

The single A stamp is not part of the original barrel stamping

[Kaliman]

AV is for Avis made barrels.

A singular "A" under the date denotes a barrel that passed inspection but was deemed "second class". Nothing wrong with that. Still serviceable.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

AV is for Avis made barrels.

A singular "A" under the date denotes a barrel that passed inspection but was deemed "second class". Nothing wrong with that. Still serviceable.

Kaliman is correct an "A" denotes 2nd class. However I have not been able to determine the Office of Chief of Ordnance's criteria for what defines "second class."