Stock Question

[boomer656]

I noticed these markings on the bolt today. I assume they are inspection marks.

[Chuckindenver]

first RIA marked rear sight iv seen,,
mix of A3 parts, and 03 parts,
should be a fine shooter

[boomer656]

Thanks. I'll find out if it ever stops snowing.

[pickax]

Thanks for extra pics, was hoping to see a taller front sight installed. The rear is nice though.
Anyway, here is some interesting reading.
Pre War/WWII USMC M1903s | USMCWeaponry.com

[boomer656]

Thanks for extra pics, was hoping to see a taller front sight installed. The rear is nice though.
Anyway, here is some interesting reading.
Pre War/WWII USMC M1903s | USMCWeaponry.com

Thanks for sharing that info. It's a great and very informative read. Of course, it took awhile since it involved a number of 'trips' to look at particulars on the rifle. I had never even noticed the hole in the bolt corresponding to the Hatcher Hole. In the 'for whatever it's worth department', there is a lip on the Hatcher Hole that can be felt.

[boomer656]

... I think the bolt and stock where replaced in the later Raritan rebuild, but I'm far from an expert.

... The RA-P as already mentioned is a rebuild stamp for the Raritan Arsenal. Probably went through there toward the end of the war.....

BEAR

Were the arsenal rebuilds, such as the Raritan Arsenal rebuild this rifle went through, conducted similar to the way the arsenal rebuilds of the M1 Carbine (and others) were conducted? My understanding is their process basically stripped all the parts off the rifle and the removed parts were then processed for reuse, repair or disposal. The receiver/barrel, if good, were the basis for building a new piece using good parts without concern for manufacturer, serial number, etc.

[cplstevennorton]

pickax, thank you for the kind words sir.

It's one that literally could go either way. It certainly has Marine traits and is a great serial range for being Marine, the finish even looks like an early Marine rebuild.

On this one it's hard to say for sure, because as you said, stuff has been changed on it. And it always makes it hard to say for certain when that happens. Sometimes when you find these with an earlier barrel pre WWII and they are Marine, they have the numbered front sight on them. But not always. The MArines switched to the #6 drift in 1936, which this one has, but the Army used #6's as well.

Even thought I think a lot has been changed on it, I do imagine the chances are more likely that it was Marine at one time. But it would be nice to see something more concrete on it before you say 100%.

But thank you again for the kind words sir. There is always something to learn and at times you feel like a novice with the amount of research still that needs to be conducted at the archives.

[pickax]

Thanks for checking in Steve. Yes, not a for sure on anything here. But that Rem stock sure looks salty with those deep H stamps and initials scratched in. Maybe a Ord. base swap before turn in for Garands and later stateside RAP rebuild?
Would be nice to think it was dragged across Guadalcanal....
A3 Bolt root stamps are interesting also, no idea on those.

Edit; Sorry Boomer just wishful thinking here, no proof of anything.

[boomer656]

Thanks for checking in Steve. Yes, not a for sure on anything here. But that Rem stock sure looks salty with those deep H stamps and initials scratched in. Maybe a Ord. base swap before turn in for Garands and later stateside RAP rebuild?
Would be nice to think it was dragged across Guadalcanal....
A3 Bolt root stamps are interesting also, no idea on those.

Edit; Sorry Boomer just wishful thinking here, no proof of anything.

Nothing to be sorry about. I appreciate all the information you and others have been providing.

[boomer656]

.... A3 Bolt root stamps are interesting also, no idea on those....

This raised a question for me that I haven't been able to find the answer yet. What identified this bolt as an A3 bolt?