Is there any way to find out the actual "history" on an old military rifle such as a 1903A3?

Possibly, but very doubtful.

Think about it. There have been literally millions and millions of small arms since WWII started. To be able to keep that detailed of a record of *each* small arm used, who used it, when, where, etc. would literally have taken years to keep those records, file them and then where do you store such an amount of paperwork?

All of that being said, there is a very slight possiblity that you can find some of your rifle's history. More than likley it will only be a very small amount of info, if that. Google Springfield Research Service and go to that web site. Pick the type of gun you have and put in your serial number. You may get a hit. Just maybe.

And you would need to get a direct hit on SRS for it to be of any use.  Close really won't help.  Guns were not issued in consective serial number order.  Serial number 12345 may very well have gone over the top in WWI then charged ashore at Guadalcanal in WWII.  Serial number 12346 may have spent forty years setting in an Air Corps supply depot in Arizona.  No rhyme or reason to it.  Just because you can get close to one of the SRS numbers really doesn't help much.

Thanks guys.