03A3 Stock Markings

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Sentimental Journey	03A3 Stock Markings	Lead	[-]
Posts: 44 (06/05/09 12:10 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Would like to know what the stock markings on my newly acquired 03A3 are. Left side of stock above the trigger: "RA", "FJA", Two concentric circles with what looks like crossed canon barrels. Bottom of stock in front of floor plate: Triangle with "0" inside, Triangle with "1" inside, Oval with "7" inside, Rectangle with "73" inside, Rectangle with rounded corners with "49" inside. Bottom of stock behind trigger guard: Circle with "P" inside. Barrel is dated 9/43. Serial number 4108694 Thanks! If it moves, shoot it! If it still moves, practice!
Colin		#1	[-]
Posts: 1991 (06/05/09 12:19 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	RA is Remington Arms. FJA is the inspector; I think his name was Franklin J. Atwood. The two concentgric circles with crossed cannon barrels are the cannon and a buckler (belt) of the Ordnance Small arms command in WW II. That isnignia is on the brick gateposts of Springfield Armory. The circle P is the proof mark. I think the marks in front of the floor plate haven't been translated yet.
Rick the Librarian		#2	[-]
Posts: 4684 (06/05/09 08:33 AM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	1. RA = Remington Arms, as Colin said 2. FJA = Col. Frank J. Atwood, the commander of the Rochester Ordnance District Col. Atwood did not inspect the rifles, but his initials were used by those who did. This was similar to Springfield Armory - the initials of the commanding officers were used, instead of the inspectors' initials, which hd been used earlier. 3. Colin is correct about the Ordnance "symbol". It is often incorrectly called an ordnance "wheel". 4. The markings forward of the stamped floorplate are sub-inspector markings which were used at various stages of manufacture to indicate that the rifle (or parts) had passed a particular inspection. Earlier Remington M1903s in 1941 and earlier in 1942 had used symbols. Although the identiication of the individual symbols is not known, they are sometimes "indicators". For example, a number in a diamond usually shows the stock is a Smith Corona. 5. The "circle P" shows the rifle passed a final (P)roof firing test before acceptance. The RA/FJA shows the rifle was accepted by the Ordnance Department for service. The receiver was serialized in December, 1943 an the barrel is original. HTH
Parashooter		#3	[-]
Posts: 1665 (06/05/09 12:48 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	A "buckler" is a small shield, usually round with a raised center. For the Ordnance emblem, this makes more sense than a belt - at least to me. Buckler
Sentimental Journey		#4	[-]
Posts: 45 (06/05/09 06:45 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks fellas! Great info. If it moves, shoot it! If it still moves, practice!
Parashooter	Oops!	#5	[-]
Posts: 1666 (06/05/09 10:05 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Looks like these really are belts. So much for "making sense"! Last Edited By: Parashooter 06/05/09 10:12 PM. Edited 1 times.