My 88 mystery

[burpgun]

I see, thanks for that info. I new I could get some help here. Still curious about that 88 though. I wish these things could talk!

[BruceV]

Sometimes silence is not golden. This one of those times. Sincerely. BruceV.

[Arisaka99]

It is NOT an arsenal mark; which leaves a unit armorer or a subsequent "inventory keeper" in the chain of ownership as the culprit.

[John Beard]

Thank you for your kind words. I admit up front to being no expert on these so I beg you not to read this as me trying to be argumentative. I'm just trying to completely understand what you're telling me. I have a few quick questions and comments.

1. The lower band on the 1903 is marked R. The magazine floor plate and spring are also marked R.

2. Where would these 1903 parts likely have been replaced? The Remington factory, some arsenal, or by the previous owner? If replaced at an arsenal why are there no arsenal refurb markings on the stock? I knew the original owner quite well, he was a good friend, true gentleman, served with the OSS during WWII and retired a USMC full bird. I'm certain he was being honest when he said he never changed any parts, though in his later years his memory may not have been the best.

3. Should the R marked upper band on the 1903 be stamped rather than milled? Same question for sling and stacking swivels.

4. I only have $600 total in these, would you attempt to find an R marked stamped trigger guard and lower band for the 1903 and a R marked bolt for the 03A3. Would this increase their collectibility? I must say changing the 1903's trigger guard to stamped would tend to spoil her beauty for me but correct is correct.

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you for your time!
Mike

1. I concur with Rick the Librarian. Although your rifle's floorplate may be marked with an "R", it does not appear to be Remington manufacture.

2. One can only speculate where your rifle's parts may have been replaced. Absence of an arsenal marking does not preclude replacement. Many Remingtons were issued to the Navy and Marines and they did not mark their overhauled rifles.

3. Stamped upper bands were exclusive to '03-A3's.

4. I would be inclined to replace the trigger guard with the correct small-bow stamped trigger guard, since there seems to be no question that the original trigger guard has been replaced. I would also be inclined to replace the '03-A3 bolt with the correct "R" bolt for the same reason. But, replacing the milled lower band would be a matter of personal preference.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[burpgun]

Thanks very much for all the interesting info and opinions. I never knew that Navy/Marines didn't mark their rifles... that's good to know. I'm thinking of just swapping the bolts to make the 03A3 correct. The R marked bolt currently in the 03 has a safety with FIRE / SAFE stamped with a serif font. Can someone tell me if that would be correct for this 03A3?

Would anyone care to offer an opinion on the best book for identifying parts and providing detailed information about the 03/03A3? I want to learn more about these and possibly add a few more Remington variations to the safe. The 1903 book I have seems to be not quite thorogh enough, and possibly in error on a couple of things.

[John Beard]

Thanks very much for all the interesting info and opinions. I never knew that Navy/Marines didn't mark their rifles... that's good to know. I'm thinking of just swapping the bolts to make the 03A3 correct. The R marked bolt currently in the 03 has a safety with FIRE / SAFE stamped with a serif font. Can someone tell me if that would be correct for this 03A3?

Would anyone care to offer an opinion on the best book for identifying parts and providing detailed information about the 03/03A3? I want to learn more about these and possibly add a few more Remington variations to the safe. The 1903 book I have seems to be not quite thorogh enough, and possibly in error on a couple of things.

The safety lock you describe with "FIRE/SAFE" both in serifed letters (and marked "R" on the rear face) is not contemporary with your '03-A3's serial number. The safety lock comes from a much earlier rifle. The correct safety lock for your '03-A3 would have "FIRE" in serifed letters and "SAFE" in block letters.

The Remington reference book you seek is yet to be written. In the meantime, feel free to come here and ask.

J.B.