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  1. #1
    Legacy Member CaptMandrake's Avatar
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    Help with Receiver Markings

    Was wondering if anyone could help with some letters stamped into my Springfield M1903 receiver just behind the gas vent hole on the right side. The letters look to be SKF but the first letter is somewhat faded so not 100% sure on that one. Receiver s/n is in the 400,000 range and the barrel is dated 1910. Also this rifle doesn't have the gas vent hole on the left side so not sure if it ever went through a rebuild. Thanks in advance for any help.

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    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
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    It would appear to some personal marking. Do you have sights, handguard, cartouche and bolt for this 1910 time period ?

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    Legacy Member CaptMandrake's Avatar
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    As far as I can tell everything, except maybe the stock, seems to match for a 1910 production M1903. The stock, that the rifle came with, has no markings on it except for an S at the nose with a single cross bolt just below the mag cut-off. The butt plate is smooth with a 5 stamped on the inside just above the butt trap hole.

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    Legacy Member CaptMandrake's Avatar
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    Added a pic of the markings on the receiver.

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    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
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    Looks like RKF to me. Mind you, having the thing help. Try a rubbing. Piece of paper on the marks and rub with a soft lead pencil.
    There's a list of inspector's initials etc here.
    Inspectors Stamps
    Spelling and Grammar count!

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    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
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    Inspector stamps would be on the stock, not the receiver - lucky the receiver did not crack stamp those initials !

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    Legacy Member pickax's Avatar
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    Agree they are civilian stamps (initials).
    Sounds like a nice rifle, one bolt stocks are early and should have the 2nd bolt upgrade 1908- 1910.
    However, you state there is a cross bolt under the mag cut off, which should be the 2nd. added bolt. (?)
    I'm assuming the tapered stock pictured is a 2 bolt replacement by you.
    Last edited by pickax; 05-06-2019 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Added last sentence

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    Legacy Member CaptMandrake's Avatar
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    Yep changed out the S stock for a C stock, just want to keep the original stock in good shape and not get dented up. Also found some small cracks in the stock so going to look into if repairs are needed. I thought the rear cross bolt came first but I'm limited on my research until my M1903 books get here
    The letters are not stamped very deep into the receiver so it very well could be someone's initials, never thought of that, personal weapon maybe. I do know that the rifle looks very much like it has been shot some due to wear on the bolt.

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    Yes, the rear stock bolt came first, about 1907/08; the second was added 1917/18. If you see a stock with a single stock bolt in "front", that is almost always a Sedgely stock.
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    Legacy Member pickax's Avatar
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    Thanks Rick for the timeline correction, and your real world experience!

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