New M1903? Or just Parts rifle?

[Snowman1510]

I just got a new M1903 added to my collection. It is a Springfield Armory low s/n at 564075. It is in what I consider a nice stock. It has a 3-38 SA barrel replacement on it as well. As I was cleaning it up after pick up, I noticed a tiny FED ORD INC. S.E.M.C just a little behind the front sight. I did some digging, and found it to be the Company Federal Ordnance. I was curious how they made M1903s. Are they all USGI parts with with new pieces that needed replacing or completely new rifles?

I soon found the trigger guard and bayonet lug band need to be replaced because of their seemingly cheaper construction and non tight fit. This brings me to my second question, what else should I be aware of on Fed Ord rifle that are not original, for it seems a vast majority of the rifle is original, but I just don't have the experience you folks have. As always I will be posting a few pictures in a moment.

Thanks for the help!

Information

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[Calif-Steve]

Fed Ord brought in 60,000 rifles in the early 1990's. They came from the Philippines and all were stripped bare and parted out. Just piles and piles of parts, they sold complete guns and parts. Just whatever you wanted.

[Snowman1510]

They came from the Philippines

As I was taking down the rifle, I came across two sections of major pitting under the wood on the barrel that could lend some credence, since there isn't really any humidity where I got the rifle. But I know that means nothing. At the moment I'd be happy to answer any questions while the pictures load.

Here are the photos:

Edit: There seems to be a SUPER faint cartouche on the left side behind the bolt, I see a faint dark out line of a square but that is all I can see.

[Rick the Librarian]

The gun laws of the time required imported rifles to be marked in the barrel area or other obvious places.

I'd sure have loved to get at those Philippines-imported rifles before Fed Ord started parting them out!!

[Calif-Steve]

They had M1 rifles, M1 Carbines and M1903's. All parted out. I am certain the '03's were from the 1942 surrender. All had the "been there-done that" look.

[Snowman1510]

As a little update on the rifle, I took it out to the range today and it performed fabulously, I prefer this 03 better than my 03A3!