Hi all, I just acquired my first 1903a3. The condition of the rifle is very nice. I am trying to learn about it but not finding much on the web. I did order a book but it will be several days before it arrives. I was hoping someone could give me a little info on what I have. The serial number is 391xxxx which I believe, if I read the chart correctly, puts the manufacture date of September of 1943. The barrel has RA with the flaming bomb and 2-43 on it. The stock has FJA on it with what looks like the Rock Island Arsenal mark next to it. It does have the P on the stock as well as the number 8 stamped inside a square, circle, triangle, and a diamond. I know the FJA is the inspector's mark but i am not sure what the 8's are about of if i have dated the SN correctly. If i have I am curious why the barrel would be dated differently from the receiver. The rifle looks all original to me. Thank you for looking.
UPDATE: I found oldguns.net and used their SN lookup and it is dated to 1942.Information
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