Is this 1903a4 stock correct?

[ghost07]

Just saw this rifle on line and the stock has me puzzled. The left side of the stock has the 3 correct cartouches; RA, crossed cannons & FJA. The bottom of the grip has a single circle P. There is no re-arsenal mark and there are no sub inspector marks on the bottom of the stock in front of the trigger guard. A correct original stock should have 5 sub inspector marks, the 3 cartouches and a single circle P proof mark. I would expect a replacement stock to be re-arsenal marked and not have the 3 cartouches on the left side. What do you all think?

[martin08]

What we can see looks like a correct Keystone C-Stock. Not sure why sub-inspector stamps are missing.

Here is a straight stock from Remington to compare left wrist cartouches.

[JGaynor]

Ghost I think the marks shown in your 8;52am picture are probably fakes.

[ghost07]

The description says “arsenal parkerized finish, wood very lightly arsenal sanded at some point, parkerized butt plate, stock is a replacement field stock with all correct markings but no sub inspectors and cut out for bolt was field altered”. If it went through an arsenal why is there no arsenal mark on the left butt stock and why are the 3 manufacturers cartouches on the stock? Those we’re only applied when the rifle was manufactured. I don’t see anyway that it is the original stock due to the lack of sub inspector marks. At the same time I don’t believe that stock was put on at an arsenal due to the lack of an arsenal mark on the left butt stock. If it was replaced in the field by an armorer then I don’t believe that there would be any marks on the stock. Most likely I think the stock is a field replacement or is a replacement stock somebody acquired and the manufacturer’s cartouches and proof mark were, as JGaynor has suggested, are probably fakes.

[martin08]

Look in the cut-off relief. The K is lightly struck, but it is there.

Not seeing the 'fat cannons' of the usual fake ordnance wheel.

If it is a fake, it is a good one.

[JGaynor]

Its hard to know precisely what the various stamps may indicate without more information or photographs. Unless you have the barrel date and manufacturer and the serial number, for example, you are kind of limited to guesswork. The various arks cited would have most likely been applied by separate people, at separate facilities at separate times. Stams are applied sequentially as the stock moves through various stages in the production process.

In my opinion there is no good reason for the sub inspectors marks to be missing (that's not one mistake it's at least five). Also the ones which make u the lettering look a little too thin and sharp IMO.

[Chuckindenver]

markings are most likely not legit

[togor]

Agree with Chuck. Maybe old wood, maybe new wood. Definitely not old stamps.

[John Beard]

The stock is a Keystone field replacement and the inspection marks and proof stamp are fake.

J.B.