Don't get me wrong, I like your rifle just the way it is, I have one kinda like it. A mixed-bag, so to say.

About the barrel, I believe the earliest dated A3 barrels are 9-42. Like you noted, your serial # dates to Jan. '43. The front sight base is from an A3, but I believe the barrel has been modified to accept the center positioned pin. I think '03 barrels were parked after the FRSB was installed, so yours would show bare metal in that area.

Buttplates were first checkered like yours before WWI. During WWI they were left smooth, to speed production, and then checkered again after. Not sure when they went smooth again.

Your stock, having bolts instead of pins, is from a later production. Some other parts on your rifle appear to have a later parkerized finish.
Information
Warning: This is a relatively older thread
This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.