Help With M1903 Stock Cartouches

[WW2Buff]

I have a 1912-era '03 with what looks like a very interesting track record. The rifle and all my accessories are pictured below. Here's what I have sorted out using Joe Poyer's 4th edition:

Springfield serial number 513,100 was produced in 1912.

The rifle was re-barreled at RIA in May 1918, after WW1. So, possible overseas action, barrel shot out, arsenal rebuild when it comes home? I've included a photo of the left-side stock cartouches. The original 'S' for Springfield is clear. In the background is a cartouche for the 1918 arsenal rebuild: OHA 1918, for Otto H. Armstrong, an RIA inspector from 1918-1919. Prior to 1939 there would not have been a crossed-cannons Ordnance Dept cartouche, and there doesn't appear to be one. I can't make out any of the original Springfield inspector's initials.

There is a clear B.A.-W.L. cartouche in a box on top of all the other cartouches. This is a post-WW2 Benicia Arsenal stamp. So, the rifle saw service in the Pacific before coming home to the West Coast? All in my imagination of course, but feasible.

My question is the cartouche on top of the OHA 1918 and behind the B.A.-W.L. It looks like a sans serif POD followed by a serif D, with the following serif D at a slightly different angle. Also looks like one or two boxes around these letters. I don't see these initials anywhere in Poyer. Any ideas?

An afterthought. In my imagination, 513,100 fought on the Marne, came home for a new barrel, ended up many years later on Guadalcanal, was relegated to rear echelon duty when her owner got his Garand, then came home to Benicia after the war for a final arsenal inspection. (With the exception of her barrel, all parts appear original.) The afterthought? Low number receiver! I shot her for years in the 1980's and 1990's before I heard of the potential issue. I'm thinking she's proven herself sound enough to continue shooting...

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the markings. Hopefully I didn't hijack my own thread bringing up the low-number thing...

Information

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[RCS]

The letters POD are from the pre WW2 Philippine Ord Depot the last letter second D id the inspector. The POD ended operations when the Japanese arrived Attachment 80404

[WW2Buff]

Wow, that was quick! And your Remington has the same two stamps? Is yours a straight '03, a Modified, or an '03A3? Or (gasp) an '03A4? The cocking knob would suggest a straight '03.

Thank you. That adds a lot to the provenance of this fine rifle...

[Rick the Librarian]

Being interested in the Philippines up to 1942, I've seen a number of POD-marked stocks - nearly all of them had "PODD", the last initial, the inspector. Virtually all of the stocks also had Benecia Arsenal, in California - either the rifles were shipped through that arsenal or they came back through that arsenal.

Yes, you have an interesting stock - I see a very early "script" inspection stamp - 1910 or earlier, then the 1918 RIA stamp and then the POD and BAWL. More than likely, your rifle saw service up through WWI and then was overhauled after WWI, possibly at Rock Island. The stock was probably taken off an earlier rifle. Whether some of the stamps are "from" your rifle or the stock was added by a previously civilian owner would be hard to say.

Oh, and all Remington M1903s were "Modified", not just the later ones. (Sorry, pet peeve!!)

[RCS]

Rick, I have a note on SA Model 1903 serial number 397825 with SA 12-09 barrel, stock is POD T and BA-WL both boxed

[WW2Buff]

Rick, I'm just a mere mortal, but why would you separate the rifle from the stock? The 'S' cartouche maintains the stock's tie to the Springfield rifle, then the OHA 1918 cartouche ties in the 5/18 re-barrel at RIA. I'm not seeing a break in the provenance...

The front of the stock is stamped 'S'. Does that tie it back to the rod bayonet '06 prior to 1912?

Another contrast with Poyer: The magazine cutoff detent in the stock is stamped with a very clear serif 'X', then a less clear 'IP' below that. Any ideas about that?

I'm pretty excited about how the history of this fine rifle is becoming clearer. You guys who know the POD period, was this U.S. Army troops with the '03, serving in the islands prior to the war?

[Rick the Librarian]

Easy - it has been 70+ years since the rifle saw military use - a lot of things could have happened. There is a possibility your rifle came from the Philippines, but no certainty.

If you mean the recess for the cutoff - the letter stamped there with an exception or two is an unknown sub-inspector.

I'm assuming the "S" on the front of the stock is 1/8" - it would be from Springfield; Rock Island used a 1/4" S.

[WW2Buff]

Yes, the 'S' on the front of the stock is 1/8", which indicates a Springfield-manufactured stock?

Now I can see the clipped corner of the original inspector's rectangle in the lower left corner of this bunch of stamps. Sure can't make out any initials though...

[Rick the Librarian]

Yes, a pre-1914 Springfield stock = they quit using the S after that.

[1911Ron]

Something to think about is when they rebuild a rifle, they start by taking it all apart and checking for wear and tear. If a part passes inspection it will go back on the rifle if not a replacement is pulled from the appropriate bin and installed same with stocks they would grab whatever was in the barrel and put it on the rifle, no concern for manufacture just that it's the correct part.