Strange Stock Mark

[The Lemming]

I posted this a year or 2 back, w/o any definitive answer. In 2005 I received a Greek return SG HRA 5651XXX. The rifle was very nice except for the stock, which was a little rough. But on closer inspection it has a very (very) faint SA-GAW; also the small ord wheel on the bottom of the wrist and serifed P proof. Was pretty excited because this was my first m1 to come with a WWII cartouche, albeit not correct for the rifle. Now for the weird part, there is another stamp on the rifle that I have never heard a mention of. It is on the left side of the stock just above the butt plate...a very small oval (approx 3/8") with poss. 2 words in it. Naturally there is a ding on one of them. Anyone seen this before or, as has been suggested, that it may be something an individual punched on to ID the rifle? TIA- Mike
I apologize for the quality of photos

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[M1Riflenut]

Nothing that I've seen before. Is it possible to get a real good, in focus close up of the words? If your camera does not do this maybe someone you know might have one that can get a good close up? If its razor sharp you can then blow it up and see what it says.

[The Lemming]

I'll see what I can do about getting a better photo

Thanks- Mike

[The Lemming]

Well, here is the best I can do...macro enabled using tripod and then zooming in using Photoshop. I can make out "MA", I think, in the bottom line, nothing in the upper one with the ding. Oh well, a mystery to me, unless anyone out there can make something else out. One error in initial post, this stamp is on the right side of the stock, opposite side from where cartouches are found. Thanks for looking- Mike

[Sunray]

Still hard to see what it says. I'd bet it's something a Greek troopie carved on.

[Bill Hollinger]

It looks like a stamp to me. Try adjusting the lighting and angel of the camera to the stock.

[The Lemming]

Thanks for the suggestion Bill. I'll give it a try.

Mike

[M1Riflenut]

I agree with Bill,need to get it brighter. Sometimes when I'm real close and the camera blocks the light I'll grab one of those plastic bore lights and put it right at the edge of the lens shining onto the marking and adjust it as needed to get the best picture. It looks as though your close enough but its too dark to make out clearly. Running a dim light "across" the stamping might also make it stand out more too.
Interesting mark,would be neat to find out what it is.

[blkbeard]

How about trying the old detective movie trick of using a pencil and paper to do a rubbing of it?

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

Thanks for the suggestion Bill. I'll give it a try.

Mike

Now if anyone could resist that face, they have no heart