30-03 converted to 30-06

[whturner13]

Other than yours being earlier (Serial no. and Barrel date -mine 1-08) the only difference I see is that I cannot find any proof mark. Why?

Cheers
Warren

[Rick the Librarian]

You mean just aft of the trigger guard? Is there ANYTHING there like an eagle's head or number?

[RT Ellis]

Because of an earlier thread discussing wrench marks on rebuild rifle M1903 I examined two of my rifles and in the process took a lot of images, which since neither had any wrench marks I thought more appropriate to share some of the images here.

Both of these rifles were not only conversions from .30-03 to .30-06 they also went through rebuild later. The first two images are of SN 68484 showing the receiver and barrel markings. The rear sight base was apparently replaced in a later rebuild as it is solid.

The third image compares the various inspector markings on the bottom of the receivers, SN 68484 on the left and SN 255576 on the right.

The next three images are of SN 255576 receiver, barrel, and rear sight base, which shows the original groove for the rear sight base pin before rebuild visible near the forward opening in the base. The Hatcher gas port was drilled during later rebuild.

[whturner13]

You mean just aft of the trigger guard? Is there ANYTHING there like an eagle's head or number?

There is a very small "D" or maybe it is a stylized "A", and some kind of symbol I do not recognize. But not a circle P. I have a pretty good picture of the stock in that area, as well as 3 of the ends of the dowels used in the repair of the stock crack.
If you can see my gallery it is one of the 4 test photos. I can also send you (and Jim) an email attachment. Or maybe, once I get ino some research, I will find out that it is well known, just not by me.

Cheers
Warren

[browningautorifle]

Send things along and we'll post them. Then we can sort things out here...pics are worth lots.

[browningautorifle]

Here are some more pics of whturner13's rifle...

[RCS]

Looks like a ram rod bayonet 1903 stacking swivel too

[whturner13]

According to Ferris and Beard somewhere around 1905 to 1906 the solid shaft stacking and lower band solid swivels were replaced by split shaft swivels. Haven't taken a picture yet, but both swivels have solid shanks.

Cheers
Warren

[RCS]

I should have said that is a ram rod bayonet stacking swivel as one end is milled flat and not the sling swivel

[Rick the Librarian]

WT ...

You mentioned in an earlier post that there was no proof mark on the rifle. The script-style "circled P" aft of the trigger guard is the proof mark - it shows that the rifle successfully passed a [p]roof firing test before the rifle was accepted by the Army.

Nice example!