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Related and not entirely off topic was the metallurgical evolution of the Springfield 1903 receivers at Rock Island and Springfield arsenals. Until roughly the mid 19-teens heat treating was an art. A skilled artisan judged the progress of the process by eye and evaluated the tempering by the color the metal glowed during the process. It wasn't until about 1918 that technology replaced the individual's judgement with standardized and accurate equipment for measurement(at these facilities). The U.S. Military in the 1920's subsequently condemned the rifles made earlier due to a series of catastrophic failures. Many Springfield 03 collectors and shooters are familiar with the legend of it being unsafe to shoot a low digit serial number rifle, and Brophy address this topic in his excellent book on Springfield 1903 rifles. One would think the same evolution occurred in Germany, if not at the same time, shortly thereafter.