Rock Island cartouched stock with S on muzzle end.

[John Beard]

Were all the small S marked stocks altered or was the practice of marking the stocks with the small S just carried through on newly made stocks up until 1913?

You are correct. The practice of marking the "S" on the fore end tip applied to all stocks, both new and altered, through about 1913. Once Army Ordnance was reasonably confident that all stocks in stores and issues had been altered, the practice was dropped. Of course, a few were missed. But they are very rare.

J.B.

[RCS]

the early handguard was also shortened by 0.2 inches too, the small s was stamped at the rear.

this handguard has had the sight groove added but still without the clipsP1010023_0017_017.jpg