New A4 Day

[GaryWKeim]

How can I go about ascertaining that?

[butlersrangers]

Gary - I was referring to the receiver photo that 'Chuck in Denver' posted with the bogus markings on the left-side of the receiver.

I believe 'reproduction' receivers that were marked National Ordnance & Santa Fe Arms were rough investment castings.
Taking such an action out of the stock would likely reveal casting marks and seams.

[butlersrangers]

Federal Ordnance/Santa Fe/ National Ordnance rifles, (all related), with cast receivers have been showing up at gun shows for years.

The poor quality receivers, combined with nice G.I. surplus parts, can look like a good condition 1903A3 Springfield rifle at quick glance.

Chuck in Denver posted the photo of a 1903A4 with bogus markings. That receiver looked to have kind of rounded edges, like it was cast or markings had been ground & polished off.

I was supposing some unscrupulous varmint might put bogus markings on one of these 'knock-off' 1903A3 rifles and sell it as legit.

Worth being vigilant!

[GaryWKeim]

I'll post some more detailed pix of that area of the suspect gun... after the NFL wild card games!

To be honest, I can't see what Chuck is trying to show, but my pix should provide some contrast.

[Doco overboard]

Ive found in the past the Nat ordnance receivers had the wrong threads for the front bottom metal screw.
A GI screw will not work in them fwiw, they're 1/4x25 if Im not mistaken.
I cant recall how the rear or long screw panned out for that instance.

[butlersrangers]

I am amazed at the 'Bucky Beaver' trim job on this handguard.

I cannot make out the obliterated receiver markings.

The Natl. Ord. receivers are in the 5 million range.

This is photo shows #4,996,921, so I guess it could be Remington?

[Salt Flat]

How can I go about ascertaining that?

If there is no stripper clip guide in front of the rear sight, then it's a National Ordnance or Santa Fe. Salt Flat

[browningautorifle]

no stripper clip guide

Pretty simple.

[butlersrangers]

OP's receiver appears to be a real 1903A3 and not aftermarket cast Fed. Ord.

[ssgross]

I have an A4 that someone sporterized and I restored. The serial was likely not struck very deep, then bubba wheeled over it to blue. I had it parkerized to match the NOS barrel. light sand blasting made what was left of the serial pop. I got lucky - it still had it's original bolt, GI base and rings on it too. Also lucky I was able to buy it as little more than scrap. The cut back barrel was a real sewer pipe.