I inherited two Springfield 1903's from my My Fathers, Cousins, Father. I assume he never got around to them because they were still in their shipping boxes, still wrapped in cosmoline wrapping. (Shipping Date is worn off, but the boxes are obviously pretty old, they were sent by rail). One was from the Springfield Armory, the other was from Rock Island Arsenal. The rifle in question arrived from Rock Island Asenal like so....
http://www.x-plane.org/users/agro/SawedOff1903.jpgNow, can anyone give me any information as to why this might have been done? I saw a picture on the internet of another one that had been done this way, but no good information was given as to why. Also, the remaining stock seems alot heavier than the other springfield. I can't figure out what the stampings on the stock might indicate....
On the left side of the rifle behind the magazine cut-off switch is "A A Q"
On the bottom, on the front of the pistol-grip is a "P"
Forward of the magazine box, there is a "F"
And infront of the rear sling swivel, stamped rather small, is "D1836-4"
The Reciever serial number is "317****"
And the Date on the barrel is "5-42"
I'd appreciate ANY information that might be provided on this.