Finally found a 1903-a3 I think i did Good! - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Finally found a 1903-a3 I think i did Good!

Posted: 2/13/2018 6:30:06 PM EDT

Ever since i graduated from college - way back in '13 i have been trying to amass my collection of ww2 firearms.

i finally found a 1903-a3 that i am proud to add to my collection

From what i can tell - the rifle is 100 correct. i purchased it from an old timer and his wife - they had a table with beautiful weapons that he was selling. i would have gotten more if i could.

He has had the rifle from the late 50's

The muzzle barely measures a .5 on a CMP gage - it do not have the tools to measure throat.

The bluing is intact and in great condition on those parts. all parts are stamped Remington.

Barrel dates to 12-43 . It has a OG on the stock signifying it going thru Ogden Arsenal in Oregon at some point.

The stock is a piece of art with dark and clearly defined cartouches and hardly any handling or racking marks.

Im thinking that the rifle never saw war time use due to the condition of it? any ideas? maybe National Guard?

What do you think - how did i do?

GS

Posted: 2/13/2018 6:49:42 PM EDT

[#1]

Nice work looks great what else did he have

Posted: 2/13/2018 7:02:02 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nice work looks great what else did he have

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He had quite a few Krags, Springfield trapdoors,he had another 1903-a3 (a smith-corona) and more. Everything he had was in great shape

Posted: 2/13/2018 7:18:13 PM EDT

[#3]

I bet that came from the same batch at Raritan as the one my Dad got in the late 1950s-- unused, made late enough that they were put straight into reserve. Gorgeous rifles and my favorite to shoot.

Posted: 2/13/2018 7:37:32 PM EDT

[#4]

Bolt and trigger guard have been refinished in any case - they were blued originally. Fairly common for post-war rearsenals.

Regardless - looks real nice!

Posted: 2/13/2018 7:44:08 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Bolt and trigger guard have been refinished in any case - they were blued originally. Fairly common for post-war rearsenals.

Regardless - looks real nice!

View Quote

I only thought they were blued on the original '03 before the move from milled to stamped parts to speed up production? In the case of the trigger guard anyways

i coukd he wrong. It's happened once or twice hah

Posted: 2/13/2018 8:38:06 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I only thought they were blued on the original '03 before the move from milled to stamped parts to speed up production? In the case of the trigger guard anyways

i coukd he wrong. It's happened once or twice hah

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Nope. Those parts were blued through the end of production. I've got a very late Remington '03-A3 (basically, last month of production) - trigger guard is blued. S-C IIRC used parked trigger guards, but not Remington.

Posted: 2/14/2018 5:41:00 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

Nope. Those parts were blued through the end of production. I've got a very late Remington '03-A3 (basically, last month of production) - trigger guard is blued. S-C IIRC used parked trigger guards, but not Remington.

View Quote

Thanks!

I apreciate the info. Now I gotta go see how she shoots

Posted: 2/14/2018 11:13:52 PM EDT

[#8]

Beautiful rifle congratulations!

Posted: 2/15/2018 4:29:42 PM EDT

[#9]

Nice rifle. As far as the triggerguard comment I have seen dozens of 03A3’s including some all correct with proven provenance that had parkerized trigger guards. The 03-A3 as a substitute standard rifle would be issued and used only when a more suitable rifle ( Garand, carbine etc) was not available so many were never issued at all and with the piles of Garands available after WWII would have been put into storage and a significant number are found in great shape as a result.

Posted: 2/15/2018 4:33:37 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nice rifle. As far as the triggerguard comment I have seen dozens of 03A3’s including some all correct with proven provenance that had parkerized trigger guards. The 03-A3 as a substitute standard rifle would be issued and used only when a more suitable rifle ( Garand, carbine etc) was not available so many were never issued at all and with the piles of Garands available after WWII would have been put into storage and a significant number are found in great shape as a result.

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I've never seen a correct Remington with a parked TG. Smith Corona, yes. Parked stamped Remington TGs are refinished.

This is all academic anyway - there's absolutely nothing wrong with an arsenal-refurbished 1903-A3.

Posted: 2/25/2018 1:30:13 AM EDT

[#11]

That is a beauty, I would be proud too

Posted: 3/1/2018 6:21:02 AM EDT

[#12]

Very nice catch on the A3.

I've got two Remington A3's, one unissued & factory condition; the other is an arsenal refurb & unissued.

On the "new" one, the only parked metal is the receiver and barrel. All other parts are blued and very nicely blued, especially considering late 1943 made.

On the arsenal refurb, everything is parked in lighter shade of parkerizing.

Posted: 3/1/2018 7:40:02 PM EDT

[#13]

Looks like he stored it properly. Very nice.

Posted: 3/3/2018 1:35:43 PM EDT

[#14]

OP, that is one of the best looking A3s that I have seen. I think you did great!

I have a 1928 Springfield 1903 and a 1943 Smith Corona 03-A3 and would be proud to have yours in the rack beside them.

Posted: 3/3/2018 2:28:43 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
OP, that is one of the best looking A3s that I have seen. I think you did great!

I have a 1928 Springfield 1903 and a 1943 Smith Corona 03-A3 and would be proud to have yours in the rack beside them.

View Quote

Thanks KS95B40

Posted: 3/3/2018 8:54:52 PM EDT

[#16]

Looks much cleaner than my old Smith-Corona. Nice find!

Posted: 3/10/2018 11:04:28 PM EDT

[#17]

Very nice rifle indeed. You will like to shoot it. A lot of these late production rifles went from the factory to the depot and then into storage. Even if nothing was repaired, they got the mark. I have a 4.7 without a rebuild mark. The stock still has a rough, not worn in feel. The trigger guard is blued and not parked on mine. Your mag cutoff area looks good and clean. Take the stock off and make sure there are no welds on the barrel by the receiver. Enjoy your "new" rifle.

Posted: 3/11/2018 1:23:41 AM EDT

[#18]

Worst 03-A3 I've ever seen. Send to me for proper disposal. I'll send shipping fees since you already got kicked hard on purchase price.

Posted: 3/11/2018 11:00:05 AM EDT

[#19]

Wow, I wish I had got a 1903 decades ago but lately decided to look for a decent shooter example too. I don’t know if your willing to share, but if so, what did you spend or how much was the other one?

Congrats, very nice example.

Posted: 3/25/2018 9:26:28 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Wow, I wish I had got a 1903 decades ago but lately decided to look for a decent shooter example too. I don't know if your willing to share, but if so, what did you spend or how much was the other one?

Congrats, very nice example.

View Quote

Quarter

I paid 850 for the rifle. I got him down a little bit, but as nice as it was - I didn't want to beat him up too bad I wish you luck on your hunt to find one

Posted: 3/25/2018 9:50:56 PM EDT

[#21]

Looks great!

Lately I’ve been having a hankering for a 1903a3 but my available funds are limited.

Should you find another good deal please pass the information along.

Respectfully

Shootsenmeister

Posted: 3/25/2018 9:59:46 PM EDT

[#22]

Actually, I had an expensive day at a gun show. I first found a sporterized Remington1903A3 that I got form Denis Todd for $400 but it has a very nice Lyman Receiver sight that I hope to leave on the gun for a while but get her back into factory wood.

Then, I managed to find a second Rem 1903A3 that was not hacked. I need to get pics and post on the CMP forums but it could be correct but it wasn’t a reactivated drill rifle, import, or drilled sporter. I got that one for $750 which is better than I had seen up to date.

I don’t have erosion gauges so no idea if the barrels are shot out however. I need to invest in a set before I make anymore blind purchases but the rifling looked clean and sharp so I am hoping they shoot well enough. I also have a couple drill rifles so if I can reactivate them I can decide to try to make the 1903A4 clone from my Sporterized gun or one of the drill rifles. No rush as this will be a fun project when I have time.

Posted: 3/26/2018 7:23:29 PM EDT

[#23]

Great find. Thanks for sharing.

Posted: 3/26/2018 8:27:08 PM EDT

[#24]

I got pics and worked thrrough my guns today too.

See https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_6/487877_My-new-M1903A3s-another-bad-habit-begins-.html

I am anxious to take them out’

Posted: 4/19/2018 10:05:32 PM EDT

[#25]

My lgs has two 1903s for $2800 each, one rock island 03 for $3800, three eddystones for 2k a piece and two garands for $2200 each. they actually sold some others for that price, They are not imports but that seems pretty high

That rifle in your pic, I'm sure they would want 3K here. I tried to tell the owner they had them mark about double too much.

Posted: 4/20/2018 8:11:33 AM EDT

[#26]

You need to really be an expert to appreciate the details on these sometimes. If it’s a rare variant some collector may see value.

It’s like a correct M1 Garand with a gas trap selling for $100,000. Many wouldn’t recognize it as special but a collector would.

Posted: 4/20/2018 8:34:34 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
You need to really be an expert to appreciate the details on these sometimes. If it’s a rare variant some collector may see value.

It’s like a correct M1 Garand with a gas trap selling for $100,000. Many wouldn’t recognize it as special but a collector would.

View Quote

The rifles I looked at weren't rare, the shop owners thinks they are rare. The garands are springfields with refinished stocks.

Posted: 4/20/2018 8:53:03 AM EDT

[#28]

I gotcha, but any point is sometimes they could be worth more. I have to wonder if some people really want to sell anything.

Like this guy?

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?IncludeSellers=2526972

I’ve looked and I guess the fact he owned something doubles or even tripled the value?

Posted: 4/21/2018 2:13:06 AM EDT

[#29]

OP good wood, good steel. Correct cartouches, good price, makes for a good day. Now enjoy your prize.
You may want to stay in touch with the seller or eventually his widow, At the least you may have some interesting
C&R conversations, or some fruitful acquisitions in the future? And yes you have a handsome rifle.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Finally found a 1903-a3 I think i did Good!

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