Seeking information on stock markings on newly acquired Winchester M1917

[M1A]

I recently purchased a Winchester M1917 that has several markings on the stock that I cannot find any information on. It has a boxed SAA that I believe is for the San Antonio Arsenal. There is a boxed S and a boxed 3GM-K that I cannot find the meaning of. I assume more arsenal rebuilds? On the very front of the stock there is a very strong "J" stamp. Everything that I can find says that there should be either an "E", "R" or "W" in this location. Inside of the stock there is an "X" stamped. Any help on deciphering these would be greatly appreciated.

[browningautorifle]

Pics would help too...hang on though, they'll be along.

[rcathey]

You are correct on the SAA.
To my knowledge, the 3GM-K has not been decoded (mine has that stamp too!).
Might the “J” be an upside down “R” missing some bits from a bad stamp job? Just an idea.

[jonh172]

I too have the 3GM-K on my winchester M1917 stock.
Here is a blurb from someone much more informed than me who looked into it.

!!!Not an official decoding, take it as it is!!!

"....you show a picture of your “W” stock with a “3 GM - K” in a rectangle.**That appears to be the final inspector mark when that rifle was re-built during WWII in USA - still searching, but might be a rebuild by contractor “General Motors - Kevinator”.**Still looking…"

[rcathey]

That appears to be the final inspector mark when that rifle was re-built during WWII in USA.

It definitely follows the general format and feel of the final inspection mark after a rebuild. So much so, I'm also quite confident that's what it is.
The theory you found is interesting. Too bad we don't yet know for certain. The likelihood of that information ever surfacing is shrinking as time goes on.

[M1A]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I guess some of these old rifles don't want to give up their secrets.

[RC20]

Some for sure no. The 3 GM K is one of them.



Otherwise not too bad. Some unknowns but more the odds and erata that got punched into the receiver /barrel for production purposes.

You stock is a replacement of some mfg. They show up with some regularity and not well documented either. Heck there was a war on, guns to build and then there wasn't.

I think the various mfgs were cranking out 7000 a day at one point (that is unfathomable in that day and age and with an iffy workforce), that is a snoot full. Amazing they kept up with the known markings!

And that does not count WWII where it was, shoot, we need MORE guns. At lest not as twisted up as the 1903s, shuddder. Nice straight forward rifle, my kind.