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U.S. Model 1903 barrel markings

ltcdoty
Have a Springfield Armory Model 1903, with the muzzle of the barrel stamped, " AV with a flaming bomb and 11-18 "

Anybody know what the AV stands for?

Thanks in advance..
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  • Hawk Carse
    From www.m1903.com

    "AV" is the mark of the Avis Manufacturing Co., which was contracted to make replacement rifle barrels for the M1903 during WWI. Nearly all dates I have seen on Avis barrels are in the late- 1918 to very early 1919 range. Any Avis barrel on a M1903 is evidence of a replacement - none, to my knowledge, were used on "original" M1903s.

    The contract (along with many bother wartime contracts, was cancelled shortly after WWI ended. Springfield had one hand, a number of Avis barrel blanks, as well as those marked with the Avis "AV" steel lot code mark about halfway up the barrel, but not the date of manufacture. They continued to finish and use these barrels in production. A number have been observed with the small AV mark but with the Springfield Armory date of manufacture stamping near the front sight.

    There was also a problem with some of these barrels bursting, but apparently, they were retested and the bad ones weeded out.
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  • ltcdoty
    quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
    From www.m1903.com

    "AV" is the mark of the Avis Manufacturing Co., which was contracted to make replacement rifle barrels for the M1903 during WWI. Nearly all dates I have seen on Avis barrels are in the late- 1918 to very early 1919 range. Any Avis barrel on a M1903 is evidence of a replacement - none, to my knowledge, were used on "original" M1903s.

    The contract (along with many bother wartime contracts, was cancelled shortly after WWI ended. Springfield had one hand, a number of Avis barrel blanks, as well as those marked with the Avis "AV" steel lot code mark about halfway up the barrel, but not the date of manufacture. They continued to finish and use these barrels in production. A number have been observed with the small AV mark but with the Springfield Armory date of manufacture stamping near the front sight.

    There was also a problem with some of these barrels bursting, but apparently, they were retested and the bad ones weeded out.


    Thank you for the information.
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