Subcontracted Parts / Markings

[John Cook]

duggaboy requested some information concerning a bolt for an 03A3 Smith-Corona. He identified his rifles bolt was marked with a "CC". I answered that it was a rebuild part not a SC part. No one corrected me,but I got an email suggesting I do a little homework

I felt pretty sure I was correct with my answer, but looking in "Brophy" pg. 191 I found that "CC" was Chrysler Corp. and that "CCT" was Commercial Controls Corp. I looked through my notes,which come from the forum, and found several post agreed with me that "CC" was Commerical Controls. Canfields book " '03 SPRINGFIELD SERVICE RIFLE" states that it is Commerical Controls. Is Brophy in error?

Just would like to make sure.

john

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

Brophy is in error - the part indicates manufacture by Commericial Controls.

Poyer and (I believe) Harrison) repeated the error by quoting that fact from Brophy.

[Calif-Steve]

Commerical Controls, no doubt. Sealed packages of bolts still around (I have 2!). Just shows how difficult it is to get rid of bogus information. I have heard Brophy had no intention of including the M1903-A3 in his book. Only did so at the urging of his friends. Problem was he disliked the 03-A3.

[Rick the Librarian]

And, as I was told, not too wild about the RIA, either.

[Bill Ricca]

I have heard Brophy had no intention of including the M1903-A3 in his book. Only did so at the urging of his friends. Problem was he disliked the 03-A3.

Bill Brophy was a close friend and never expressed that point of view to me. The reason he made several identification mistakes is he (and everybody else at the time) used a government publication which was not designed to identify parts markings.

You can read the whole explanation on my page of myths:

Bill Ricca's Page of Myths

[Rick the Librarian]

Interesting - thanks for bringing that up. You hear that all the time. Your webpage was also worth looking at.

[Calif-Steve]

Bill-are you saying Brophy liked the 03-A3? I have heard the exact opposite from "insiders". People whom I respect. Problem is, when an authority prints bogus infomation, it sticks around for decades. People routinely ask about "CC" bolts. Add to that Brophy isn't around to publish an updated book. A pity, as his book is the "bible". No question about that.

[Bill Ricca]

Brophy was like a father to me. He hung out at my table at the Glastonbury shows, gave me a tour of Marlin, and we were in constant communications. I even was a guest at his house and slept over. I gave him several items for a museum at Marlin due to his giving me many experimental US GI items that were developed but never adopted.

All I am saying is he never once told me he hated the 03A3 or A4. He was a lover of the Krag and 03, and never once bad mouthed the later guns.

Maybe others got a different story, but I never heard it. I think I spent as much time with him as most others.

My favorite Brophy story was his purchase of a 30-03 rod bayonet rifle. He went into the Phila Naval Depot where 03's were being sold to the public. The year was circa 1952 or 53. He was taking notes as to parts markings, serial numbers, and a guy came over to him and the conversation went something like this:

"You know something about those rifles?"

Yes, a little bit

"Well we have a rifle inside that we cannot sell because no ammunition fits it".

Let me see it.

They went into the back room and there it was, an unaltered, like new 30-03.

Brophy told the guy "Put it outside and I will purchase it. I have a friend who has this ammunition and I will give it to him as a present"

He bought it for $16.00 and change.

[Lancebear]

Hey Bill,

You are very lucky to have spent time with the first '03 professor. Thanks for the story.

Do you know where that rifle is today and who has it?

By the way, Remington handguard I recently purchased from you is perfect and I lucked out in matching it to the color of my stock.

Thanks and regards,

Lancebear

[Bill Ricca]

After Bill died, his collection was scattered out within the industry. I know the late Pete Cardone purchased a quantity of his rifles, but who got what I do not know.