Springfield model 1903 rifle and variants

Proof Testing and Proof Marking

Before leaving the manufacturer, M1903's and M1903A3's were proof tested for safety. Proof testing was done by firing several cartridges loaded to produce a pressure substantially greater than that produced by the standard issue military cartridges that would be used in the rifle. If the rifle survived this test of its strength the letter P enclosed in a circle was stamped on the stock just behind the triggerguard, and the rifle was ready for acceptance by the military. The earliest proof marks used on Model 1903's were a script letter P which was later changed to a block letter P. U.S. Model 1903's and 1903A3's will sometimes be found with two letter P's stamped behind the triggerguard. The second letter P is believed to have been used when a rifle when through a complete rebuild. Because of the extent of the work it was likely proofed a second time. If a stock is stamped with two letter P's there is a good possibility that it will also have other marks indicating an arsenal rebuild. (See the section on arsenal markings)

Government Arsenal Stock Rebuilding Marks

Marking on Stock AA AN BA HOD MR OG PaOD POD RA RIA RRA SA SAA Arsenal Performing Overhaul Augusta Arsenal Anniston Arsenal Benicia Arsenal Hawaiian Ordnance Depot. Mt. Ranier Arsenal Ogden Arsenal Panama Ordnance Depot. Philippine Ordnance Depot. Raritan Arsenal Rock Island Arsenal Red River Arsenal Springfield Armory San Antonio Arsenal

Note: Except for Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal, most of the above ordnance facilities did not overhaul weapons until World War II and later. After the rifles were rebuilt, the initials of the facility and, occasionally, the initials of the individual inspector as well were stamped on the left side of the stock.

Part Markings For U.S. Rifle M1917

*Click on the part name to view a picture of that part!
PART BARREL BARREL BAND UPPER BARREL BAND LOWER BOLT BOLT STOP BOLT STOP SPRING BOLT STOP REST BOLT SLEEVE BUTTPLATE BUTTPLATE TRAP COCKING PIECE EJECTOR EXTRACTOR FIRING PIN FLOOR PLATE FLOOR PLATE RELEASE FOLLOWER SIGHT BASE FRONT SIGHT INSERT FRONT HANDGUARD UPPER (early only) HANDGUARD RING MAGAZINE BOX MAGAZINE SPRING SIGHT ELEVATOR REAR SIGHT LEAF SPRING REAR SIGHT SLIDE REAR SIGHT SLIDE TAB REAR SAFETY SAFETY COVER SEAR STOCK (at the tip of the forearm) SWIVEL REAR BASE EDDYSTONE E E E E E E E E Not Marked E E or "EN" E E E or "EN" E E E E E or Blank E E E E E E E E E E E E E REMINGTON WINCHESTER R R R R R R R R R Not Marked R or "EN" R R R or "EN" R R R R R R R R or Blank R R R R R Not Marked R R R R R W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W

HANDGUARD LOWER (early only) E

SWIVEL SLING FRONT SWIVEL SLING REAR SWIVEL STACKING TRIGGER TRIGGER GUARD

E E E E E

Not Marked R Not Marked R R

Not Marked W Not Marked W W