How does one go about doing this?  Can it be done for any US military rifle?  I found a link on oldguns.net but it was dead.

Post the weapon and serial number. One of the members who has the four published books of numbers will look it up for you. However, don't get your hopes up too high, because only about 5% of the records have survived. And, if you honestly want an answer, don't quote a partial serial - we have no way of dealing with "X"s.

Thanks, Dick.  No I won't loose any sleep over it!  I didn't realize it was a printed compendium.  Does it look at all US firearms over a certain period?  I couldn't find much info with a Google search about SRS and I was just alerted to it from reading various posts.

If anybody gets a chance, I'd appreciate if you took a look.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

M1898 Krag - 387592

M1917 "Enfield" - 1206023

I also have a WWII era 03A3 and a Garand.  Is that period of time possibly covered as well?

Nothing on the Krag (falls between 387436 - 387668) but, just for grins, how long is the barrel - 30"?

Enfield is worse (gap is 1205525 - 1206420); appears to be an Eddystone?

There are a a bunch of 1903s and and a few M1s, as well as many other arms in small quantities. I'd guess best coverage is on trapdoors and Krags.

Oldguns was hosting the basic data online at no charge, sort of an index if you will - a HUGE service to the collecting fraternity, but when SRS' very generous founder (Frank Mallory) died, his successor had different ideas as to how to market the info, and the link was taken down. Sad. You can still get a letter on a "hit" but you must subscribe to his magazine to get any assistance - plus, the letters cost more and take longer as well.

Dick Hosmer wrote on Mar 8^th, 2013 at 6:46am:

Nothing on the Krag (falls between 387436 - 387668) but, just for grins, how long is the barrel - 30"?

Yes, it's a rifle.  No chop.  I posted some pics on my intro thread.


Quote:

Enfield is worse (gap is 1205525 - 1206420); appears to be an Eddystone?

Yes, just a run of the mill arsenal rebuild I picked up some years ago.

Thanks for taking the time to look and the explanation of the SRS history.   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

can someone look up mine? it is a 1899 carbine #348159

DocCasualty wrote on Mar 8^th, 2013 at 8:42am:

Yes, it's a rifle.  No chop.  I posted some pics on my intro thread.

Didn't really answer the question asked, since there are TWO possible lengths of "rifle" (neither chopped) in that serial range, but, I had overlooked your earlier pics, so, with reference to them, was able to satisfy my curiosity.  Thanks.  :-)