Help with new Remington 03a3

[M94/14]

The "RA" mark was apparently applied by Remington to distinguish Remington manufactured stocks from the Smith Corona manufactured stocks. At least that's the way I heard it.

[Johnny Peppers]

This is an original 03-A4 with the RA Remington Arms stamp.

[JGaynor]

The "RA" mark was apparently applied by Remington to distinguish Remington manufactured stocks from the Smith Corona manufactured stocks. At least that's the way I heard it.

i believe the "RA" stamp was applied to complete, finished rifles not just the stocks. Besides Remington had sub-contracted much of it's stock manufacture to third parties like Keystone who place their own mark on the stock. Many rebuilt rifles are seen with the "K" marked Keystone stocks but without any of the factory stamps (RA, Ordnance Escutcheon, Final Inspectors Stamp) because the replacement stocks were installed somewhere other than Remington.

Regards,
Jim

[Rick the Librarian]

Jim, you're right - I think the FJA and RA was the mark that the rifle had been accepted by the Ordnance Department.

[usmchog]

I thought the Raritan mark was "RA-P" and the "RA" on my stock stood for Remington Arms? Didn't Atwood run the Rochester Armory?

[usmchog]

Okay, I'll reply to my own reply. I didn't see page 2 and 3 of this thread before I replied to a previous comment, so everybody can ignore my reply.

If anybody needs to see specific photos of a specific part let me know and I'll get them posted.

Thought I should mention, I fully disassembled the rifle today and every part covered by the stock looked brand new. Also, almost every part is marked with the "R" for Remington (with the obvious exception of the Bolt. Even some of the bolt parts are Remington. It's my opinion that all of the finish of the rifle is original except the bolt and follower. The bolt and follower look parked, however they are a bit brighter green than the receiver, plus I believe the bolt should be blued and not park'd green.

[Johnny Peppers]

I thought the Raritan mark was "RA-P" and the "RA" on my stock stood for Remington Arms? Didn't Atwood run the Rochester Armory?

Colonel Frank J. Atwood was the commanding officer of inspection and acceptance of the Rochester Ordnance District. This covered all small arms and equipment manufactured in his district.

[usmchog]

Nope , that is the Remington Arms stamp put on all thier stocks when ( or shortly before or after ) S/C joined the party . I do not see any rebuild stamps on this rifle , but the pics arn't good enough to see if it's been refinished or if a stamp is there but not shown . All I can say for sure is the bolt's been switched , which could have happened anywhere .
Chris

Just let me know what photos and angles you need and I'll get them posted.
Thanks

[emmagee1917]

I am color recessive , so it's hard for me to tell finish in a pic if it's the least bit dark . All your rifle should be blued finish , except the reciever and safety which sould be parked . The A4 pic above is a good example of finish . All parts should have a " R " stamp , the rear swivel and both bands being assemblies so only one "R" on each. The triggerguard should be a big bow with a circled "R" on the rear of the mag box and straight lined aft the front screw rim . The buttplate should be fine checkered pattern . Sometimes a couple of parts will have the sub - contractors stamp ( it's "RP" IIRC ) instead of just an "R".
Chris

[usmchog]

I am color recessive , so it's hard for me to tell finish in a pic if it's the least bit dark . All your rifle should be blued finish , except the reciever and safety which sould be parked . The A4 pic above is a good example of finish . All parts should have a " R " stamp , the rear swivel and both bands being assemblies so only one "R" on each. The triggerguard should be a big bow with a circled "R" on the rear of the mag box and straight lined aft the front screw rim . The buttplate should be fine checkered pattern . Sometimes a couple of parts will have the sub - contractors stamp ( it's "RP" IIRC ) instead of just an "R".
Chris

Great info, I'll look it over. I agree on the color aspect of photos, It's definitely difficult telling colors in a photo. I've actually got a pretty good camera with a good flash if need be. One thing I'll say for sure, the bolt has definitely been re-finished. In the right light, I can see the darker pigments of the bluing showing up through the oddly "lime" colored finish of the entire bolt assembly. Another funny thing to me is that someone felt the need to park (or Duracoat) the follower.

Thanks a bunch.