Panama Rebuilt 1903

[jarrodeu]

I bought this a couple of weeks ago because it seemed like a good deal and it was neat because of the old stock with no stock bolts. It is stamped PAOD and has a Rock Island 5-09 barrel. The magazine spring and windage knob are Remington and the bolt sleeve/safety looks like a Smith-Corona or other subcontracted maker. I think the bolt matches as it looks like it is marked I 5. The tip is marked with a small s and the screw hole was moved back so I think that dates it to the 1905-1906 time frame and Springfield Armory manufactured. Also has the old thin profile, pre-1910 trigger.
The only downside is some moron thought it was a good idea to scratch some letters into the stock. (pictures #7&8)
Picture of the barrel heat lot code is included for JB as I think I read somewhere he collects them.

And now the questions
1. Was an old barrel and old stock attached because they were lying around after disassembling other rifles? Seems like an odd combination.
2. Was the Panama Ordnance Depot an Army or Navy run depot?
3. Any guess as to when the rifle was rebuilt in Panama? Would the WWII Remington and Smith-Corona parts have been added during the Panama rebuild or at a rebuild at a later date?
4. Any additional thoughts?

I’m 24 so I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks for your help,
Jarrod
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Information

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[RCS]

interesting rifle, most interesting part (to me) is that after rebuild PAOD, that the stock is still without any stock bolts ? rear sight leaf looks like the OL replacment. The parts such as the stock and barrel look like they were salvaged from an early Rock Island rifle. The Panama Ord Depot was US Army. Not at all common to see the PAOD stamp

[RCS]

I have been informed you have a Smith-Corona stock with stock pins

[ABPOS]

I don't know anything about the history and all that. But I can tell you it's beautiful. Nice pics too.

[Rick the Librarian]

I have been informed you have a Smith-Corona stock with stock pins

Your informant steered you wrong - the stock is a pre-WWI stock without stock bolts with "straight" left profile.

[RCS]

Rick, you are correct, it is an early stock. But, why would the PAOD rebuild stamp be applied and the stock not upgraded with at least one rear stock bolt if not two stock bolts ?

[Rick the Librarian]

Rick, you are correct, it is an early stock. But, why would the PAOD rebuild stamp be applied and the stock not upgraded with at least one rear stock bolt if not two stock bolts ?

That, my friend, is the $64 question! I will say I have seen some rifles going through rebuiilds with early parts left on.

[John Beard]

I bought this a couple of weeks ago because it seemed like a good deal and it was neat because of the old stock with no stock bolts. It is stamped PAOD and has a Rock Island 5-09 barrel. The magazine spring and windage knob are Remington and the bolt sleeve/safety looks like a Smith-Corona or other subcontracted maker. I think the bolt matches as it looks like it is marked I 5. The tip is marked with a small s and the screw hole was moved back so I think that dates it to the 1905-1906 time frame and Springfield Armory manufactured. Also has the old thin profile, pre-1910 trigger.
The only downside is some moron thought it was a good idea to scratch some letters into the stock. (pictures #7&8)
Picture of the barrel heat lot code is included for JB as I think I read somewhere he collects them.

And now the questions
1. Was an old barrel and old stock attached because they were lying around after disassembling other rifles? Seems like an odd combination.
2. Was the Panama Ordnance Depot an Army or Navy run depot?
3. Any guess as to when the rifle was rebuilt in Panama? Would the WWII Remington and Smith-Corona parts have been added during the Panama rebuild or at a rebuild at a later date?
4. Any additional thoughts?

I’m 24 so I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks for your help,
Jarrod

Answers to your questions are as follows:

(1) Army overhaul procedures in effect at the time dictated that rifles incoming for overhaul be completely dismantled, each part be inspected and refinished separately, then complete rifles be re-assembled from the thoroughly-mixed parts. Rifles re-assembled from unusual combinations of parts sometimes resulted. You have one.

(2) Army.

(3) The presence of Remington and Smith-Corona parts on your rifle would suggest that your rifle was overhauled in the 1944-45 period.

(4a) Thanks for the barrel steel lot code! I do indeed collect those.

(4b) RCS emailed me a single photo of your stock's inspection stamp. A blemish on the stock was mistaken for a WWII-vintage brass reinforcing pin. I incorrectly identified your stock as a Smith-Corona M'03-A3 stock.

(4c) Thanks for your interest and inquiry! M1903's were in production for 40 years, were used through two world wars, and are very interesting. There is much to learn! I appreciate your interest!

J.B.

[jarrodeu]

Thanks for your help guys!

Jarrod