First WWI-era SA 03...help please

[moleary]

Just acquired my first SA 03 after a few months of research and lurking here (still not nearly enough I know now!) My intent was to find a mostly correct WWI-era weapon at a good price that won't be impossible to make all-correct for my collection. See pix below, but from what I've gathered, I think I did pretty well, but could use some expert opinions on what I've got vs. what I still need:
1. Receiver SN999xxx and SA 9-18 barrel would seem to support an original pairing built in late 1918...but the parking on the receiver is realllly nice condition...sooo?
2. Checkered buttplate should be smooth.
3. Cutoff and safety are serifed and should be sans-serif.
4. Top of bolt appears to be a mis-struck SA WL3 steel lot code (which would indicate 1920's vintage bolt), but not sure...
5. The stock has a weathered look, with noticeable lightening in the handhold areas...but no apparent cartouches, except for a white "D 97" on the right butt...possible rack number or even a ship number indicating naval service? (Think I read that many post-800k SNs went to the Navy...?)

Beyond help with these questions, any help you can give me on the various other proof marks, as well as the two drilled holes in the barrel, would be most appreciated!

Many thanks,
Mike

Information

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[John Beard]

You do indeed appear to have a Navy-issue rifle.

But, a candidate for restoration it's not! The rifle has been refinished and re-assembled from assorted mixed parts. The original finish was blue. The current finish is parkerizing. And as you noted, almost everything on the rifle is incorrect. And the front sight has been removed and replaced.

You will spend a ton of money and effort rounding up the correct parts and, in the end, will be no further ahead than where you started.

If you seek a correct WWI rifle, save your $$$, be patient, and look for a decent original with original finish that needs little or nothing done to it.

Good Luck!

J.B.

[moleary]

John,
Thanks for the assessment and advice. I think I need to distinguish between "original", "all-correct", and "period-representative" in that order. IMO, they are all varying levels of "collector grade" (and value) depending on one's passion, historical interest, and certainly budget!

While I will eventually work my way up to "original with full provenance" pieces for my collection, they are scarce and pricey...plus I still like the thrill of the hunt for all the right pieces. I've done it for other milsurp weapons of other eras, and now its time for the 03!

That said, can you help me ID/timestamp the firing pin marking "S 55" in the above photo? Also, am I correct on the bolt steel lot of "WL3?" Any other IDs on the other misc parts?

Thanks again...you guys are always fun and educational!
Mike

[John Beard]

You have correctly identified the bolt as "WL/3".

I fail to recognize the "S 55" marking. I may have seen it somewhere in the distant past, but I've slept many times since then and have no further recollection.

The identification and list of parts that you need look pretty good to me.

Hope this helps.

J.B.