Randy, thanks for the additional info - I am new to the 03A4 parts, and Redfield vintage parts in particular.

Having said that, my current blued base is almost identical to your number 4. However, it actually has the more complex triple cut at the rear dovetail and is currently too tight to fit over the factory A3 dovetail hump without fitting.

What makes you say the square cut bases with NO taper are evidence of later production? The obvious earliest prototype 03A4 photos in the early Ordnance publications with the Lyman Alaskan/M73 in those same early publications has a square cut at the back of the Redfield Jr., no taper anywhere, and is blued, not parkerized. My question is more to if ALL Remington 03A4 production rifles actually have the tapered Redfield base, with the different markings above, and parkerized?? Do any known early rifles exist with different than "standard" scope rings, bases or colors? Are all rings in "production" parked, for instance? Many people dispute Harrison's work, and also Poyer - who barely covers the subject as all. As always, the search for truth continues...... CC