Serial No. Z4002627, Barrel Date 9-43
Scope M73B1 Serial Number 34984
Only 2,920 “Z” numbered 03A4s were made. Remington Arms was building rifles so fast in the fall of 1943 03A3 production ran into the second block of serial numbers (starting at 4,000,000) that had been reserved for 03A4s. There could not be two rifles with the same serial number, and the remedy was to stamp a “Z” in front of the serial number of the 2,920 03A4s that shared a serial number with a 03A3. This rifle has a two-groove barrel, a “C” type pistol grip stock, and the M73B1 scope with Serial No. 34984. The left side of the stock has the cartouches “RA” (Remington Arms) an Ordnance Escutcheon Mark (crossed cannons), a boxed “FJA” (Col. Frank J. Atwood) and a boxed “BA” over “HAB” reflecting that the rifle was inspected as Benecia Arsenal after the war. It was not reworked, only inspected, and retains the original blue finish on the bolt assembly, bolt sleeve, large bow magazine assembly, bands, stacking swivel, and butt plate. On the bottom of the grip behind the magazine assembly is only one 1/4 in. “P” inside a 7/16 in. circle, above which is an “N”. There are five assembly inspection marks ahead of the magazine assembly.
Z4002627 alongside a arsenal refurbished A4 with a scant grip stock and commercial Weaver 330C with commercial rings. Note the difference in the finish on the bolt assembly, bands, stacking swivel, and rings. On the arsenal refurbished A4 these are parkerized.
Offset Serial Number
Close up shot of the offset serial number. Note the shims under the sight base and the original color case-hardened screw in the rings. Bolt, extractor, and metal half-ring on front hand guard are original finish.
Off-set nomenclature
