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Posted: 2/29/2008 4:54:09 PM EDT
| I was interested in a Smith Corona 1903a3 at a local shop. The wood on the guns is in great shape with a very nice flat looking finish. The barrel is dated 8-44 with the ordnance bomb on it. Metal is in nice shape, I would rate it around 95%. Honestly, I really don't know a whole lot about these guns. Is there anything special to look for with the 03a3s? They are asking $595. How is that? |
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Check the muzzle to see if it's dinged. Then check the bore to see if it's pitted. Check the muzzle for wear, and the throat for wear also. IMHO these were carried/stored a lot more than they were shot. I think that a good Smith Corona for under $600 is a deal. Let me know if you get it and then post pics. |
I was kinda thinking arsenal rebuild since the metal and wood were in such good shape. I'm gonna see if they'll come down on their sticker price. |
How does it sound like an arsenal rebuild? The 03A3s were built during WWII and most of them rarely saw a round. This is not the same rifle that the Marines landed with at Guadalcanal. That's a good price on an SC and I don't think that very many, if any, of the 03A3s ever saw enough use to be rebuilt. |
8-44 bbl would be a replacement. Many 03A3's saw hard use in WW2 to the point of needing rebuild postwar before storage. 03/03A3's were common issue during the war to engineer, transportation, artillery and other assorted support units. |
8-44 would not be a replacement barrel. The 03A3s were built from 1942 until 1944. Again, we are talking about the A3, not the Springfields. A3s were made by Remington and Smith Corona during WWII. It seems unlikely that a rifle that was 2 years old at the most needed to be rebarreled. Also, in relation to being rebuilt for postwar storage, 8-44 is not postwar. 
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I used to have a pic of someone carrying an 03A3 somewhere in Europe. But I admit, I haven't seen too many pics of them in combat. But I'm not an expert on the when and where's of them. I have a remington from the CMP and it shoots very nice and was a greek return. It was not very used. |
Vi Shooter's M1903 page shows the highest date for an SC-marked barrel as 11-43. As to the rifles needing new barrels so quickly - corrosive ammo sucks. -Mark |
Since that is not an 03A3, maybe he wouldn't know. 
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Cool pic, wrong rifle. 
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I stand by my original post. If you could find him today...he'd know. His '03 would have been upgraded to an 03A3 if he was in-service long enough. Might even have been issued an M1 when they first came out....and I'll assume he'd have been an officer or very old enlisted man by the time the Garands came out. I stand by my smart-ass post and the great old pic. He'd know. His buddies would too. 
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I'm working on an 03A4 clone using a Smith Corona action. Being a prior 1903 owner I can say that they are very nice bolt guns, most early 03s were arsenal rebuilt prior to WW2 and 03A3s were also rebuilt at one point or another; still, I think that you should jump on it and buy it. I s a nice addition to anyone's collection. I had to sell my '03 to pay my mortgage, but now I have an 03A3 action inbound and once I finish making my 03A4 clone; I'll be happy as a bug on a rug. Check my progress report HERE |
Another cool pic. But I have to interject. As I understand it 03A3's were not successors to the regular ole 03. They were supplemental to the Garands and 03's. Those were all being used so they contracted with people that had time and resources to make a supplemental rifle for whoever needed them that didn't get Garands or already have 03's. My bet is if your buddy shown in the first pic was a front liner, he would've had a garand or kept his ole 03. Most of the A3's were rear troops. For the most part. Although I'm sure not a complete rule. I'm not sure what your point is with marrying soldiers with O3's with A3's too. |
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"I'm not sure what your point is with marrying soldiers with O3's with A3's too." Simple point. We check out books and reference materials for info about these old guns. There are still vets around who actually used them...they are resources we need to cherish. In a few more years...the soldiers who used these...will be gone. They should never be forgotten. My point is there are still older Vets around and I was trying to encourage anyone who's lucky enough to know one...to ask.  And the old pix are cool...which is the best reason to show them. And yes...this is also not an 03A3. Dick Culvers' website on 1903s is the definitive 'Net home of Springfield 1903 info in my opinion. The folks there can answer any questions about those platforms. http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/03/03config.pl? |
Not according to this:
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All .30-06 ammo used in WWII was corrosive. After the mid-1950s, non-corrosive primers were used in .30-06. All .30 carbine ammo that was ever made by the U.S. Military was non-corrosive. The militray experts felt that the gas system on the M-1 Carbine was too complicated to be field striped by the common soldier for cleaning, so all ammo was non-corrosive. |
Larry- The last SC rifle per contract was 4845831, which was completed in Feb '44. About 5000 rifles appear in the 4.87mil range - these were serialed in error after 4780000. Most of these have 8-43 barrels. There do exist some 'over-run' rifles past that last SN, but they all have barrels with a date no later than 11-43. -Mark |
Do you have a link to all this info? |
not a link, however Brophy's The Springfield 1903 Rifles states on pg 176-177 that SC (and Rem) were notified to cancel their contracts for 03A3's in Nov 1943, all production of complete rifles was to stop by Feb 1944 no mention of the last serial # tho,, |
I do! Here you go. -Mark |
These charts you found are wrong. 3708000 4707999 (M1903A3) This is the official last assigned serial # block for RA 03A3's, They only got to around serial # 4,2xx,xxx in very early 1944 before the production contract was cancelled. Whoever put the year dates in your chart was pulling #'s out of their ass or used the contract date and not when the rifles were actually made. You can go to any 03 forum and get the same opinion... |
Because you say they are wrong? Not fucking hardly. This is from a gov website: www.nps.gov/spar/upload/serial%20numbers1-2.doc I will take their word over the opinions of some internet persons. |
Thanks for that. Now I know that mine was made in Feb 1943.
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Why don't you just take it like a man and say you wrong. It's OK. I'm wrong alot. I far respect people that have the ability to admit their faults then lash out at others. I know you could care less about my respect, but I think others feel the same way too. They were only trying to help. |
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8-44 is a replacement barrel without a doubt, and probably a remington barrel. I have a link and it is a reported list of rifles serial # with barrel dates. SC barrel dates by ser # The latest barrel made by SC listed is 11-43... |
Let's see... 46-star flag puts the pic 1908-1912. If that guy was still in the Army in 1941, I'd be very surprised. He most likely died in France or lived to a ripe old age watching his kids, grandkids or nephews go to war. Also, M1903s weren't "upgraded" to M1903A3s. |
Thanks for the info, Larry; I bought a Smith Corona receiver for my 03A4 project and my receiver is from that lot (SN: 4777XXX). Here's how it looks right about now.  I am looking at a Smith Corona barrel right now (one of several 03A3 barrels). We'll see if this baby can be finally put together. If you want to read the whole story, GO HERE. |
Wow - this thread is FULL of bad information!  1903 rifles were not upgraded to 1903A3 - there was no point as the 03A3 was the same rifle with cheaper sights and the 1903 rear bridge does not have the rail to mount the 1903A3 rear sight...  As has been stated numerous times if any 1903 or 1903A3 has a 1944 barrel it is considered to be a replacement - there is no evidence that any rifles were completed with 1944 barrels. The idea that production continued into 1944 is wrong, and is perpetuated in certain books and by charts like the one LarryG posted. If anyone is still not convinced go over to Jouster and ask them.  www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/03/03config.pl Lets stop spreading bad information and kill this thread... 
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BLACK TIGER, THAT IS SWEEEEEEET! At one time I wanted to do that to mine. And I still think about it. Is your reciever drilled and tapped or is that one of those non drill and tap mounts? Nice glass too!!!! Is your bolt curved. Looks like it is but you don't have the stock cut out for it yet. I actually have a curved bolt, but I never did go through with it all. I was thinking about getting the boyds C stock replacement. I need details man!!!!!!!!! This is a project I see rarely happen, yet I would think it would be more popular. I think it's because it's a pain. I would love to hear more about your experience and what you're going to do. Even if you have to start another thread.!!! Or continue this one. I don't care. Or I'll IM you. That is if you have the time to tell me what you got going on. Thanks. |
Actually I have my own separate thread. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=14&t=239551
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Awwwwwwe jeeeeez. You're going to have to do a detailed range report on that baby!!!!! With pics of course. I'm so happy for you. I wish I would do this too. You'll have to tell me if it was worth it. Problem is, I actually like the 03A3 with the irons. But I do that with all my rifles. A scoped one would be cool, but they're so handy with just irons. |
I know there's an outfit called National Match Armory that specializes in working with M1 Garands and M1903s for DCM competition; their work is really good; plus they make the presentation rifles given at Camp Perry; so that really tells you something about their work. www.nationalmatcharmory.com/ |
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