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The explanation about the "Z" prefix sounds about right.

The key here is the offset Remington 1903 script on the left side of the receiver..it was done because the receiver was designated to be a 03 A4.. I have no doubt that it is a A4. I would like to see the rest of the rifle though?

The other thing to look for is the date on the barrel, and the Inspectors stamps on the stock.

What is a bit of a puzzlement is that the SN is so washed out while the Remington script is so sharp? This rifle has been reworked at least once? Most were done at least once.

I had an A4 which I put out to auction in 09...it made a world record for an A4 which has held until this past fall.... $5750.00. That is not what I netted out of it.. I did make 4X my money on it.

Brophy in his "1903 Springfield" book says that the A4 was not a great sniper rifle, it was an expedient set up to fill the need. The 03 was an inherently accurate rifle on it's own.. the 03 to look for are the NM's or NRA Sporter's of the 20's and 30's..the trick here is to find one with a good bore because most have well worn barrels. It took me a number of years to find the right ones.

The Swede 1896 sniper in 6.5 X 55 or a Swiss K31/43 probably holds that title..for the WW2 era.