[gwhaling]

What does this stamp mean. Read in earlier post that if the last letter was R would mean rebuild. The carbine I have is a national postal receiver #14519xx with a rock-ola barrel dated 12-42. I know the rifle looked like it was never fired according to my dad when he purchased it through the nra in the early 60's.

[ggordon]

AAU: probably refers to Augusta Aresenal. Usually it would say "AA", "AAG" or "AAI". This would definitely mean a rebuild-- most guns sold through the NRA in the early 60's were rebuilds.

Are you sure it's a "U" and not a worn down "G"?

[gwhaling]

Positive its AAU. Very clearly stamped. Gun was left unused in cabinet until about two years ago.

[Mooseman684]

The AAU on the left side of the stock means the carbine the stock was attached to went through the U.S. Ordnance rebuild process 1948-1952. Carbines from WWII were inspected and if necessary, totally broken down and rebuilt using more current ordnance specs. AAU is one of the marks used by the Augusta Arsenal. This means your carbine was probably issued to the troops and returned from wherever for the rebuild process. Then was shipped back out, possibly as Military Assistance to another country.
Rich

[M14man]

There was an AAU, block letters and spaced rather far apart.Augusta Arsenal

[jimb2]

The last letter is an initial for the man/woman who did the rebuild. It is nothing more than an identification mark for that individual. The AA part is definately Augusta Arsenal. There is a big however with these marks. With some of the very late carbines with all of the upgraded parts originally installd, these marking may only represent a "check and test" and not a rebuild.