1903 Inspector Stamps

[shooter88]

Hello everyone. I noticed that my 1903 Mk 1 has no inspector stamps...anywhere. It just has the "P" proof mark just to the rear of the trigger guard and a small "50" next to that. Now, it seems to have all of the correct parts for a Mk 1...the sear, magazine cutoff switch, J5 marked bolt, and the stock is cut out around the ejection port on the left of the receiver. The rifle was built in 1918 and has a 6/19 dated barrel. It was my understanding that all of these rifles went through a rebuild and were therefore stamped with an inspector stamp. I can only think of two reasons why...either this rifle never went through a rebuild, or someone sanded the markings from the stock (but then why would they leave the "P"?). What do you guys think? There are pictures of it in my other thread titles "My 1903 Mk1" I think it is.

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[Rick the Librarian]

Inspection stamps on Mark Is are rare. It was explained to me once, but to be honest, I've forgotten.

[shooter88]

Thank you. Ill research it and try to find out why.

[highpower3006]

I have had two of the Mk1's. If I remember right, the first one I had didn't have any other stamps other than the "P" proof. I picked up another a few months ago and it has a "WJS" cartouche in the usual place. I am positive that this one is an original rifle as it too, has all the correct Mk1 bits on it and the finish condition matches throughout.

I tweaked the contrast a bit to highlight the cartouche

[shooter88]

Thanks for the post highpower. Yeah, all mine has is the P. No other stampings.

[Rick the Librarian]

I have a Mark I also with an WJS stamp.

[shooter88]

Im beginning to wonder if my gun ever went through a rebuild. It is my understanding that most Mk1's went through a rebuild and lost all of their Mk1 parts. With that being the case, then wouldnt that mean that they would get an inspector's stamp? As said earlier, my Mk1 retains all of the Mk1 parts. That, coupled with the fact that there are no inspector marks lead someone to believe that it could be original? What are some other things to look for that could prove/disprove its originality?

[Calif-Steve]

Original? The Mk1 has a very different stock. Easy to see and not so easy to fake. Many Mk1's were shipped to China in WWII and some have returned. Most of those stocks look poor. But, that is another story. The relief cut on the left side of the stock was very nicely done by SA and will go a long way in figuring out authenticity. Also, you need to realize there are guys out there who can stamp a stock, OK? Hope this helps.