O3A3, no stock bolts

[ed skeels]

Just picked up a 03 a3 that does not have the stock cross bolts. Just pins.
3519177 sn.
What this an attempt to cost cut until they figured out rifle grenades had the same effect on the stock as the recipient?
No idea what the story is.

Thanks
Ed

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[Rick the Librarian]

Stock pins were introduced in late 1942 during Remington M1903 production in an attempt to save time and materials over stock bolts. After a number of months, so the story is told, it was found that the "pinned" stocks did not hold up well to rifle grenades. As a result, about late summer, 1943, stock bolts were re-introduced.

I would expect a M1903A3 in your serial range to have a pinned stock, if original.