One of the features of my recent high number RIA (RIA parts set assembled at Springfield) was a quite unusual rack number, 722, stamped in front of the top tang of the buttplate. There is also a crossways "trough" where it appears another rack number had been thoroughly removed with a rat tail rasp. Until recently, I had not seen this type of rack number configuration on ANY US long arm in the course of studying these things for the last forty years or so. Funny thing is, about the time I started looking at the rifle that's now in my collection another member here posted pics of another '03 with the same type of arrangement!
Some guys here have mentioned that a number that's firmly stamped into the wood is often indicative of naval use. At least in my particular rifle, the condition would bear this out...the metal approaches 100%, except for the buttplate (90%), yet the wood displays many small handling dings. Obviously a rifle which was handled much, but fired little...
Any of you have any thoughts about these numbers?