BOXED SA STAMP M1903

Doco Overboard · Dec 23, 2016

Interesting stamp located behind recoil lug of a M1903 rifle #1455294. Anybody have an idea why it's there?

firemanyz · Dec 24, 2016

Did you by chance pick up this 1903 at the auction in Goldsboro last Saturday?

Doco Overboard · Dec 25, 2016

No, I bought it at auction 1 maybe 2 years ago. What do you think it means? I think it was used as a gauge or a standard of some sort, but I'm just guessing. Or it could be some sort of factory second .The rifle was built into a very nice sporter/target rifle around 1952.

iH8DemLibz · Dec 25, 2016

I'm impressed by the fact that they had the foresight to stamp C-R of the receiver...

cimiM1 · Dec 25, 2016

There are two more rifles that have the same marking on this data page. Close in serial number:

http://www.vishooter.net/SA.txt

SA 1460949 SA 7-34 NS bolt, SA/SPG, 1905 high hump handguard, barrel "C & R" and "SA ONLY", receiver "USE IN SA ONLY"/"C-R"/"B1"
SA 1464588 Drill, C-R, SA Only

Doco Overboard · Dec 25, 2016

Heres a picture of the rifles current condition, the stamp was found when I checked the bedding for contact/binding when lamp black was cleaned off. The only thing I changed was the sear spring because the old one was to short.

firemanyz · Dec 26, 2016

I really have NO clue. At the auction I spoke of I acquired my first two military firearms. A sporterized 1931 production m1903 and a 1943 longbranch enfield. Prior to about two weeks ago I had very limited knowledge of them. I have been reading as much as I can about them. That's what lead me to the C&R page here. I'll try and take a few pictures of them tomorrow. I wish I could answer more for you but I'm still learning.

Doco Overboard · Dec 27, 2016

Rick the Librarian messaged today and said that at one time he was in discussion about the boxed stamp but it was too long ago to remember. A sported 1903 sounds interesting, some were done really well and pictures would be great. I bought a new sporter Krag barrel at Goldsboro years ago for about 5 bucks. This one I bought because there was no interest in it and it came with the original order and bill of sale from 52. It was built in Yonkers NY. I think the smith just collected parts from wherever he could get them and assembled per order. The serial# is 5 digits from a NM rifle.

SmokeEaterPilot · Dec 28, 2016

Have you contacted John Beard about this stamp? I'm sure he'd be able to shed some.light on the subject

Blacksmith101 · Dec 28, 2016

Also ask on the CMP Forum Bolt Action section:
http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=79

Doco Overboard · Dec 28, 2016

Having a problem posting on cmp site, waiting for admin help.

Doco Overboard · Dec 30, 2016

JB Reply

Seasons' Greetings!

Thanks for your interest and inquiry!

Springfield Armory received no orders for new service rifles after 1927 and was relegated to overhauling existing service rifles turned in from troops in the field. This was a responsibility that they shared with other arsenals and depots around the world. But to facilitate overhaul at other arsenals and depots, Springfield Armory had to manufacture and ship them spare parts, including new receivers to replace low number receivers on rifles turned in for overhaul.

Although I can't prove it, I am very confident that the "USE IN SA ONLY" indicates you have a 2nd class receiver. Specifically, the receiver has a machining error, is out of tolerance and, therefore, fails to meet interchangeability requirements, and couldn't be shipped out to another arsenal or depot as a spare replacement part. The receiver would require some custom fitting or parts selection to fit properly. Nothing went to waste. So rather than scrap the expensive receiver, SA would manufacture or hand-fit a custom part to the receiver to overcome the machining error.

Thanks again for your interest and inquiry! And Happy Holidays!

J.B.

Straightbolt · Dec 31, 2016

the "USE IN SA ONLY" indicates you have a 2nd class receiver. Specifically, the receiver has a machining error, is out of tolerance and, therefore, fails to meet interchangeability requirements, and couldn't be shipped out to another arsenal or depot as a spare replacement part. The receiver would require some custom fitting or parts selection to fit properly. Nothing went to waste. So rather than scrap the expensive receiver, SA would manufacture or hand-fit a custom part to the receiver to overcome the machining error.

I'll give you $50 for it

Doco Overboard · Jan 1, 2017

Ha ha,You left out the first part, JB doesn't even know for sure what it is, but I know what it does!

SmokeEaterPilot · Jan 1, 2017

iH8DemLibz said:
I'm impressed by the fact that they had the foresight to stamp C-R of the receiver...

C&R stands for "Cleaned and Repaired"

iH8DemLibz · Jan 1, 2017

SmokeEaterPilot said:
C&R stands for "Cleaned and Repaired"

C-R was a joke.

That they knew ahead of time that the rifle would be C&R (Curio and Relic) one day.

Doco Overboard · Jan 1, 2017

I wonder if this punch mark has anything to do with the interchangeability requirements? They never drilled a Hatcher hole either.

SmokeEaterPilot · Jan 2, 2017

iH8DemLibz said:
C-R was a joke.

That they knew ahead of time that the rifle would be C&R (Curio and Relic) one day.

Oh I know you were being sarcastic and what you meant. I was having fun as well.

I came across a large file at NARA with scores of SNs (all which have most likely been found by Frank Mallory and logged in the SRS as "C&R," since they are already in there) The rifles were listed as "Cleaned and Repaired" and then abbreviated them as C&R.

Just thought I'd take your post as a opportunity to elaborate.

Happy New Year! Hope you didn't mind.

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