Tell Me, Mr. Myers....
From whence commeth your information about the M1903s currently being sold by CMP as being foreign rebarrel jobs? I found no indication of that in their literature/website; but it could explain the odd grease that my most recent acquisition was packed in. It didn't seem to be cosmolene, and kerosene wouldn't cut it.
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I believe that I said "foreign arsenal rebuilt", not "rebarrel jobs". I based that on the fact that many of the M1903's and M1903A3's sold by CMP have the last 4 digits of a serial # engraved on the bolt handle and/or stamped on the stock; often these 4 digits do not match the rifle. Marking part of the serial # on these parts is done by numerous foreign military armorers, but has never been done by the US military. I haven't seen any barrels that were not new or US arsenal replacement barrels.
My information that these rifle came from a foreign country is from Orest Michaels, director of CMP. He will not say WHICH country, because he is negotiating to obtain additional rifles from the same source. The rumor is that they came from Greece, and a targeting slip printed in Greek found in one seems to bear that out.
I guess that it would have been more accurate for me to describe them as "US arsenal rebuilt, and mutilated/parts-swapped by a foreign arsenal."
Mr. Michaels said that these rifles are packed in any of, or a combination of, the following: cosmolene, grease, wax, and dirt. Some folks remove it with Simple Green, followed by mineral spirits; I found that acetone worked best (done outdoors with heavy rubber gloves.)
I'd be glad to email before & after photos of my '03.
Neal
nmyers@comcast.net0 -
VERY interesting. Well, mine has the last 4 deeply stamped into the side of the sock near the butt. The bolt is numbered to match the receiver; but I don't know (and doubt) if they used electric pencil in the 1940s. Greece is a good bet, based on the surplus Greek .30-06 ball that was available awhile back, sold as NC/BO in stripper clips that looked like they might have been salvaged. I'm basically happy with my recent acquisition.....but, based on what I read in the American Rifleman Magazine article and the CMP website I have to conclude that they're engaging in some deceptive advertising. I'll get a picture off to your e-mail address shortly. Thanks for the info. 0 -
I read something a while back regarding contracts awarded to European arms makers after WW II to rebuild US rifles. Could this explain what you are referring to? 0 -
Der,
If you have not previously visited, go to this site:
www.jouster.com
They have a 03/A3 forum. Best 1010 -
In the late '40's Fabrique Nationale in Belgium rebuilt several million M1 rifles. I'm not aware that any of our bolt action rifles were rebuilt in quantity.
Neal0
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