I picked up a 1903A3...

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

BENBRU

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Messages
130
So local gun show, usually just go to paw around on things. I was hoping to find some ammo, maybe some other junk.

I am poking around fondling the merchandise and find this Remington 1903A3.

Bore is perfect. Barrel is marked RA 12-43 and looks damn near perfect. Crown looks perfect, throat looks perfect. Stock looks to be newish... only marking on it is a faint "U.S." I haven't taken it apart yet so I don't know anything else.

Rifle apparently was a family heirloom sold but the anti son who inherited it.... His loss. I bought it to stick on a wall and I'll shoot it if the mood strikes me(after I have a gunsmith check it out).

Anyway, can anyone tell me anything more about it? What it's worth, when the receiver may have been manufactured, etc.? I think I got a hell of a deal but I'm not entirely sure.

IMG_0202.jpg

IMG_0200.jpg

IMG_0205.jpg

IMG_0206.jpg
 
I'm pretty sure that this isn't the original barrel. That would be too good to be true if it were an original matching numbers rifle.

I paid... $500 including a hard case, tax and background check... oh and I got 100rds of 30-06 for another $60
 
Build date of Jan, 1944 from my source, so the barrel is most likely original.
Very nice rifle.
No reason not to shoot it, mine are accurate as heck, and fun to shoot.
 
Update:

I searched vishooter and found that the Rifle manufactured was probably either 12-43 or 1-44. So yes, more than likely an original barrel(in such good shape too) Thanks Wrench... I had already written it off.

I also found a diagram of what marks should be on the stock... there are some very faint markings in the proper places in front of the magazine floor plate(I don't know what the correct nomenclature is for it) but none on the left wrists, and only the faint "US" shown in my first post...

Safety lever, rear sight, "ON/OFF" lever are all stamped "R" as is the front sight, and a bunch of other parts...

Did I happen onto an all Original 1903A3? (Stock is my biggest suspect of some kind of rebuild/refinish)

Anyone know a real good person to talk to about it?
 
Last edited:
In case you haven't tried some similar site, somebody at "Surplusrifle", "Gunboards" or "Parallaxandcurio" could have the info.
Maybe even at "Gunandgame".

If my Yugo Mauser had very similar iron sights, I would not want to sell it.
How lucky you are that the 1903's prev. owner drinks the West and East Coast Cult Kool-Aid with unquestioning, blind obediance (blinde Gehorsamkeit).
 
I paid $600.00 for a "all original" Remington 1903a3 and a year later sold it for $800.00
 
BENBRU said:
Update:

I searched vishooter and found that the Rifle manufactured was probably either 12-43 or 1-44. So yes, more than likely an original barrel(in such good shape too) Thanks Wrench... I had already written it off.

I also found a diagram of what marks should be on the stock... there are some very faint markings in the proper places in front of the magazine floor plate(I don't know what the correct nomenclature is for it) but none on the left wrists, and only the faint "US" shown in my first post...

Safety lever, rear sight, "ON/OFF" lever are all stamped "R" as is the front sight, and a bunch of other parts...

Did I happen onto an all Original 1903A3? (Stock is my biggest suspect of some kind of rebuild/refinish)

Anyone know a real good person to talk to about it?
Click to expand...
Try the CMP forum, lot of knowledge over there
 
That's one nice looking 1903a3. Very good deal. The stock may be a replacement or perhaps sanded down and refinished long ago. There is often a small P stamp for proof on the bottom of the wrist of the stock, but it is often sanded off.

Nice rifle though! If it has all R marked parts it is all orginalish, maybe an early DCM buy? Who knows? Nice Gun!

Range Report Pronto! ;)


Marsh
 
Is the magazine cut-off switch / bolt release (says on and off) polished on one side?

I am often surprised how many folks do no know that Springfield's had that switch to keep the bolt from going all the way back and thus keep the loaded magazine in reserve while single loading the chamber.

Does she have two groove or four groove rifling?
 
I paid... $500 including a hard case, tax and background check... oh and I got 100rds of 30-06 for another $60
Click to expand...

Good buy. By the SN, that rifle was made 11/43 or 12/43, so with the 12/43 barrel stamp, I'd say you have an all original gun.

Without the cleaning kit, I'd say $550-$600 (before tax). The cleaning kits add a $50+ premium. You didn't steal it, but you got a good deal.
 
Is the magazine cut-off switch / bolt release (says on and off) polished on one side?
Click to expand...

No... it looks worn but neither side has the finish completely polished off. I always thought this was a cool function too.

Rifling is a a 2groove I believe... I'll double check in a few.

MachIV I owe you... I never opened the butt stock until I read your post earlier. THERE IS A CLEANING KIT IN IT!!!

Unfortunately it is cruddy weather here today or I'd skip out early and go play. I love this rifle. Everything about it. I'm now toying with the idea of getting more MilSurp rifles... never been a fan of Nagants but for ~$100 why not? Service grade Garand from the CMP... that will be my 4th of July present to myself I think...

I'll put out a range report in a little while... I want to go up to Ft. Collins to shoot out to 500m with it. I think if I can do it with an M4 I should be able to do it with this right?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
1903A3 Unissued, refurbished or BOTH?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
7K
little joe
L
Steve in PA
  • Locked
My new CMP 1903A3 is here....
Replies
1
Views
439
critter
C
P
  • Locked
wanting to pick up a semi auto
Replies
18
Views
652
CTW
C
S
  • Locked
Picked up a Beretta S55 at the gunshow
Replies
16
Views
10K
stnjohnson
S
G
  • Locked
Mystery Remington 12-C
Replies
3
Views
423
35Rem
3
Back
Top