1903a4 scant stock question

[GBEAR1]

Were 1903a4 scant stocks used on original new production guns or were they strictly used for rebuilds only? Thanks in advance

[jgaynor]

Yes . Scant stocks started to be used on A4's at least by the late fall of 1943. You will see scant stocks scattered throughout the range of known a4's but in most of the earlier cases there will be some evidence of a rebuild that potentially casts doubt on the originality.
I have been in possession of an A4 since about 1968 with a Keystone stock that is a November rifle. There are no rebuild indications and the barrel date is consistent. Additionally this rifle was used by the Thai's and has the Thai Chakra on the stock and on the receiver ring - so they have been together for sometime.

As time went on use of the scant stock became more prevalent. Most of the third block A4's (4,99X,XXX) have scant stocks.

Regards,
Jim