Terms

drinksgin (deceased) · March 28, 2014, 12:58:44 PM

It would appear certain terms are flexable, light rust, being one.
I picked up 2 barrels for possible future projects, both went for $30, with shipping, both claimed light surface rust, one is almost like new, the surface rust was a small streak where the barrel had contacted the stock, bore looks like new, a really nice barrel with very good blue.
On the other hand, after about 30 minutes of steel wool, I actually found a bit of blue, roto rooted the bore, fairly good rifling, 4 lands and grooves.
The chamber is never going to clean up, deep pitting and a real mess.
Oh,well win some, get done sometimes.
I did finally find a few marks on the barrel, still 10 tpi square threads, I shall post the measurements, think it was .30-06.

drinksgin (deceased) · March 30, 2014, 06:26:42 AM

No one has even a WAG what the markings mean?

gitano · March 30, 2014, 09:31:29 AM

Not I.

Paul

Jorge in Oz · March 30, 2014, 06:22:23 PM

The circle with the wings is a marking I have seen on Enfield M17s, not sure if it was a Winchester or Eddystone. I'm sure Rick or BH may be able to shed some light.

drinksgin (deceased) · March 30, 2014, 06:38:24 PM

I am going to try to get pictures of the marks.
On another forum, some have said they think it is a 1903 barrel, I had no idea the Springfield action used square threads.
Oh, well.

sakorick · March 30, 2014, 06:55:47 PM

Here is the Eagle proof on a 1917 with the inspector's number.

drinksgin (deceased) · March 30, 2014, 08:02:20 PM

Thanks, I shall research that some more.

sakorick · March 31, 2014, 02:17:41 AM

Sounds like a 30-'06 barrel and one of your drawings looks like a OC proof.

drinksgin (deceased) · March 31, 2014, 09:39:02 AM

Several people on several forums have all said 1903.
It seems what I thought were crab claws are eagle heads.
As there were no sights and it has gov. marks, it seems it would be a '03-04 sniper rifle barrel, as those were the only ones made without sights .
Too bad it is in such bad shape.
Thanks for the help.

sakorick · March 31, 2014, 11:00:58 AM

I doubt it. The WWII 1903/A3 barrels didn't have any Eagle stamps on them. Here is a Remington barrel made in July 1944. Yours sounds like a much older barrel perhaps 1910? A picture would help. Regards, Rick.

drinksgin (deceased) · March 31, 2014, 12:35:20 PM

I shall try to take a picture tomorrow, however, the markings are not in good shape and I do not know how well a picture is going to come out.
I cannot find any evidence there was ever a front sight, surely they did not just stick something on, I would expect at least some soft solder.
Do you know of any other '03 barrels that did not have a front sight?

Jamie.270 · March 31, 2014, 01:25:07 PM

AFAIK, the only '03s that were built without front sights were destined for sniper use.

Maybe Paul will chime in. I believe he knows something about the '03-A4s

gitano · March 31, 2014, 01:33:49 PM

Probably not as much as Sakorick does, and Rick also has some good reference books.

I don't think ANY '03s were manufactured without sights. As far as I know, all the A4s (snipers) were issued as A3s, "inspected", and those that "passed" were designated to BECOME A4s' which included removal of the front sight. However, I wouldn't argue with anyone that asserted differently.

Paul

sakorick · March 31, 2014, 01:52:43 PM

All US 1903/A3, M 1917, M1 Carbine and Garand front sights were built the same way. The front of the barrel had a key way milled into the top of the barrel. The front sight base also had the keyway milled into the bottom. It slid over the key which locked it permanently in place. The Remington M1903A4 sniper rifle did not have a front sight, however, the keyway is there milled into the barrel. Regards, Rick.

drinksgin (deceased) · March 31, 2014, 01:54:23 PM

How would they remove it without leaving even a trace of it's previous installation?