Auction 1903 A4 Z serial number question

[Hey_Jim_B]

The top Z serial number is the rifle that I just won at auction. The Z is different than the z thatbis more common. Os the top rife a fake?

 

[Harleystoo]

Don't have a "Z" any more for comparison, but don't recall ever seeing one like the first picture.
It's font doesn't look correct.

 

[cplnorton]

What does the rollstamp look like on the other side?

Yeah that serial does not look original

 

[Hey_Jim_B]

What does the rollstamp look like on the other side?

Yeah that serial does not look original

So, the Left side is correct. . My thoughts are that the first z was too light and the second was added later.

 

[1588]

Did Remington duplicate 1903A3 and 1903A4 serial numbers, requiring them to add a Z with a handheld stamp after the initial serial numbers were roll stamped?

 

[Hey_Jim_B]

Yes. But most z are smaller than the #'s. Not as large as this one and not stylized

 

[cplnorton]

It's been heavily sandblasted, and some of the serial looks redone by someone. I think someone tried to enhance a weak serial number. The finish looks like a civilan repark.

If the roll stamp looks good on the other side, I think it's just one someone refinished and tried to restore the serial that was washed out.

Here is an original roll stamp with the original park to compare.