New member here, researching and documenting my 1939 Sportmaster 512. This was my grandfather's gun and I ended up with it after my dad passed. My rifle does not have the scope grooves on the receiver, and between the rear site and the bolt, the barrel is stamped "EH." I understand this to mean it dates to October 1939. The left side of the barrel, just forward of the stock is also stamped "2049." I'm curious what this is, as I understood that Remington did not include serial numbers on guns during this period. The barrel is also stamped with various inspector's marks: "A," "73," various symbols
The barrel is also marked:
Remington
REG.U.S.PAT.OFF
22 SHORT LONG
OR LONG RIFLE
THE
SPORTMASTER
REG.U.S.PAT.OFF
MODEL 512
REMINGTON ARMS CO,.INC.,ILION,N.Y.
MADE IN U.S.A. --- PATENTS PENDING
I'm hoping to find an original Instructions for Operations and Care manual to pair with my gun. If anyone has any suggestions on where to locate one and what to specifically look for that would be appreciated. I have searched eBay and found a Rev 2, but this discusses the grooved receiver so it's 1954 or later. I've found Rev 03-46 that does not discuss the grooved receiver, but the parts price list includes "special receivers for the No. 344 Weaver scope." I have been led to believe the Rev number reflects MM-YY of the publication so March 1946 for this one. Was Remington selling grooved receivers as an optional part at this time before ultimately making it the standard?
Thanks in advance for any guidance and knowledge.
v/r
Fred