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Do I have a valuable A3?
My first post:
I acquired an A3 from the CMP
a few years ago, shot it twice and put it away. I want to have it reparked and restocked (keeping everything military-no sporterizing). But, I thought I would post some particulars to find out if I have an original that I shouldn't touch or if I have a mixmaster.
It is a Remington, "SN 4111XXX", barrel stamped "RA 9/43". The bolt does not have an engraved SN, but instead has the last four of the rifle SN etched onto the bolt handle where it is also engraved with "R1". The selector is marked "R". I see no markings on the trigger housing, buttplate, bands or sights. The stock is marked "RA" just behind the left rear recoil lug, and just behind that are the letters "FJA" inside a square box. Marking at left rear of buttstock shows on the first line "RIA" and second line "EB" inside a square box. The circle "P" is just behind the triggerguard and the last four digits of the SN are stamped into the right side of the buttstock.
I am not an avid collector having a couple of Garands and this one 03. But, I know enough to check out something like this before I change it in anyway. Any info anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
daveboy
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05-13-2009 07:05 PM
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From your description, the rifle sounds like one of those that was used in Greece post-WWII. If you can post some pictures, we could tell for sure, but I doubt it is a collector. Most of the markings do sound correct. The RIA/EB is a post-WWII inspection or overhaul stamp from Rock Island.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell
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I also recently bought a 1903 that the previous owner had bought from CMP. The last 4 digits of the serial number are engraved on the flat of the bolt handle. The engraving is fairly recent and I understand that is a CMP practice, Is that true?
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No, it was done by the Greeks. I never heard of CMP doing it. Probably "etched" is a better term than "engraved".
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell
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Advisory Panel
was done by the Greeks as Rick says, with a arc engraving tool. very tough to remove.
the ghost will usually come back, if parkerized after its removed.
but, iv blued, usually it will not show..
My M40 was stamped US PROPERTY and arc engraved as well,
i tried to remove the arc engraved, and it came back as soon as i reparked..
still cant figure out why they had to mark it 2 times.
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I wouldn't do anything with it. Nice stamps on stock. Park looks fine to me. Maybe not a rare one, but any refinishing will lower it's value in my opinion.
Jim
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I agree - while the rifle appears to have been refinished at some point, it was a "correct" refinish done at an arsenal. I would also leave it alone. One of the nicer Greek returns I have seen IMHO.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell
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Advisory Panel
Nice rifle in my humble opinion.
Jim
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"Me. All the rest are deados!"
67th Company, 5th Marines 1st Sgt. Daniel "Pop" Hunter's response to 1st Lt. Jonas Platt's query "Who is your Commander"?, Torcy side of Hill 142, Belleau Wood, 8:00 am, 6 Jun 1918.
Semper Fidelis!
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I agree with the others,That is a fine looking rifle.I would not touch the stock as it is a nice example of a genuine USGI stock that has "been around the World"with your rifle, and I don't think it needs to be reparked.You have a Nice old girl,ultimately it's your choice.Enjoy her and shoot her 
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