"SS" on my 193A3

[André]

I recently bought a nice looking (and shooting) 1903A3 and am puzzled by a "SS" stock marking (left side, just above buttplate) that I can't find an explanation for, despite all my research. Anybody to help ?




Thanks in advance.

Information

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[martin08]

While I can't help with the meaning of the SS, I have one as well. It is in the same general location.

My example seems to be in near the same as-built condition as yours. Just curious, what is your serial number? Mine is a somewhat late build, 4200492.

[Chuckindenver]

Serviceable Surplus

[André]

My rifle's serial nr. is 35845**, made in '42 but the barrel is stamped '43.
Chuck, you're the second correspondant to offer this explanation. Being kept in reserve, away from action, might explain the general VG condition of the rifle and the absence of dings and scratches in its stock. I tend to give credit to the story.

Thanks to both of you for your prompt replies.

[Promo]

Some folks would sell it as a rare German captured and SchutzStaffel issued rifle .....

[browningautorifle]

rare German captured and SchutzStaffel issued rifle

[martin08]

Serviceable Surplus, that is the first time I have heard. But then again, I haven't searched for the meaning in years. No explanation was offered last time I asked.

Was this done at Remington (from post-war surplus inventory)? After delivery to US Armed Forces?

I always envisioned mine as being a Sweet Shooter, but instead I left the original grease inside.

[browningautorifle]

This would be just before disposal.

[martin08]

With now the phrase "serviceable service" to search with the key words of "SS", 1903-a3 and 03-a3, I think I have found the first mention of the serviceable service explanation, from this forum in 2009:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=15764


Subsequently, the phrase has been repeated, but not often. Here are all the threads which include the key words (excluding this thread!). All four threads appear to reference back to the explanation which was offered in the 2009 thread.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=50273

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=48048

http://www.jouster.com/forums/showth...th-Corona-03A3

http://1919a4.com/showthread.php?383...-a-friend-PICS


With the SS mark, there is also a correlation to a US mark, with "Unserviceable Service" attributed to that stamp. I did not search out the US and unserviceable service topics.

[Rick the Librarian]

My rifle's serial nr. is 35845**, made in '42 but the barrel is stamped '43.
.

Andre, you're looking at a date of manufacture table that is not correct. Your rifle dates to early 1943.

Use this table instead:

http://www.vishooter.net/ra_serialization.txt