Newley acquired 1903A3 Smith Corona

[JAG1]

I recently had an opportunity to pick up what I think is a nice 1903A3 Smith Corona. It definitely needed a good cleaning as it was loaded with cosmoline,grease, dirt etc.
It cleaned up rather nicely I believe. I currently have it taken down to complete a data sheet on it, and its turning out thus far to be nice SC. Previous owner stated it came from CMP North store
quite some time ago.

Here is a link to the photo's after I cleaned her up: http://imgur.com/a/Jvt2d

Comments & Thoughts welcomed .....

Semper Fi ...

[Gary L. Bush]

Is it a Two or a Four groove barrel?
Gary Bush

[JAG1]

4 grooves... Gary

[ncblksmth1]

I have heard mention 2, 4 and even 6 groove SC guns. Can you tell me more?

[chuckindenver]

2 groove SC barrels iv seen were all 9-43..
early SC barrels were 6 groove...majority of SC barrels are 4 groove.

[Rick the Librarian]

2-groove SC barrels are quite uncommon, if not rare.

[Mike D]

2 groove SC barrels iv seen were all 9-43..
early SC barrels were 6 groove...majority of SC barrels are 4 groove.

Do you mean 11-43? Just going off of vishooter. I personally have not seen a SC 2-groove barrel. Still waiting for someone to post photos. Hint, hint... :hello:

Mike

[JAG1]

I have yet to see a 2 groove SC also

I finished the data sheet on this one its all SC
Barrel is SC 7-43' and the rifle serial number puts the rifle at 8-43

Got a chance to take a few quick shots with her,
3 shots at 100 yds, using Prvi P 150 gr FMJ, No wind and all 3 in the B-Eye at 1.25 group
IMO, not to shabby at all, going to be a keeper...

[ncblksmth1]

I understand that 6 groovers are hard to find or am I mistaken?

[Tom]

I noticed the X stamped on the bolt handle. My S/C's all have the X, some books say that is correct, and at least one book says no. What say you?

PS, I once bought a S/C bolt still in the unopened bag, with the X.

I "once" had a 6 groove and it didn't shoot straight. I had that "Chuck guy in Denver" put in a correct year 4 groove. Now shoots very good. Nothing shoots like my 2 groove hog gun though.

[John Beard]

I understand that 6 groovers are hard to find or am I mistaken?

The statistical odds of picking up any Smith-Corona M'03-A3 rifle at random and finding a 6-groove barrel are about 1:30. I'll let you be the judge if that's hard to find.

You can dramatically raise those statistical odds if you selectively pick only low serial numbers with early barrel dates. But randomly finding a low serial number with an early barrel date is factored in to the preceding odds.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[JAG1]

I noticed the X stamped on the bolt handle. My S/C's all have the X, some books say that is correct, and at least one book says no. What say you?

PS, I once bought a S/C bolt still in the unopened bag, with the X.



Tom,
At least from what I've been able to research and in the books, the " X " stamped on the bolt handle would be correct for a S.C.
I myself haven't found anything that states different thus far

[John Beard]

Previous owner stated it came from CMP North store quite some time ago.

Comments & Thoughts welcomed .....

Semper Fi ...

I can confirm that your rifle came from the CMP. You can place an order with confidence for authenticating documents from the CMP.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[JAG1]

I can confirm that your rifle came from the CMP. You can place an order with confidence for authenticating documents from the CMP.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

YES SIR John that certainly is a great help and I sincerely appreciate it.
I will certainly be contacting CMP to obtain the authenticating documents

Thanks again for all your help ....

[Darreld Walton]

The two groove SC barrel that I owned was acquired new in the wrap as a replacement barrel, and was dated 11-43, as well as all the others that I've heard of and seen reported.