Thanks kuduae, the 1928 date makes sense. In the barrel channel of the stock there is 1928 and what looks to be a signature written in pencil. I was looking at an old thread when I did a search and the posters were using the three digit ledger number as the date code. So do you think these would be scrubbed and re-barreled army rifles? I suppose it is tough to give an opinion without pictures. Is the "4000 atm proof powder" considered a stiff test load or would a large ring get a heavier charge?