Another 1903/A3 cartouche question

[Salt Flat]

Also note that the step where the handgaurd ring slips over the front of the receiver is gone. This would definetly indicate that the receiver ring has been reduced in diameter (ground down). The right side of the markings would be under the hangaurd ring if it was present.The finish still has grind marks and an odd color. The pictures kind of remind me of some of the hand made firearms that the VC made during the Vietnam War. They would come reasonably close to replicating a firearm but would invariably mispell the manufacturers name or otherwise slightly miss on the details (like an incorrect font for the serial number).. Salt Flat