Newbie

[boomer25]

My wife/Santa squared me away for Christmas when I received my first M1903. I'm a horrible photographer but I posted some photos anyways as I'm quite proud of my rifle and to my novice eye, I think my wife did a great job. Based on the serial number and barrel date (3323728, 12-42) I'm thinking that it was produced at the tail end of 03 production. The vast majority of the parts are marked with "R", however, the bolt sleeve is marked with a "G". Any ideas on that? The only marks on the stock is an "R" in the cut-out for the On/Off switch and RA-P, which I believe denotes that it was worked on at the Raritan Arsenal. Is the arsenal stamp an indication that the stock was replaced? It has grasping groves, and from my very limited knowledge I was thinking that stocks like that were earlier issue. I welcome any comments or additional information concerning this rifle. Thank you very much!

[Jeff L]

Welcome! Nice looking rifle. I'll let the experts chime in.

[Rick the Librarian]

Not an "expert", but you have a Remington M1903 made towards the end of Rem. 1903 production in December, 1942. I believe if you look carefully on the rear receiver bridge, you should see a couple of notches indicating that the receiver was originally made as a M1903A3, but when target difficulties arose with the new rear sight, it was decided to finish these rifles as M1903s.

The Stock is indeed a replacement - an original would have not had grasping grooves and had stock "pins" instead of bolts. The original rifle would have had a stamped lower band and trigger guard.

[TDP0311]

Rick- approximately when did Remington switch to 03A3s in the serial number range?

[Kurt]

Bolt shroud is a Smith Corona A3 part. Nice rifle and stock.

[Rick the Librarian]

Rick- approximately when did Remington switch to 03A3s in the serial number range?

The earliest M1903A3 serial number I have seen in in the 3,320,000 range - I believe John Beard has seen or heard of earlier than that. Keep in mind there wasn't an "official" end to Remington M1903s and start to M1903A3s. There was a considerable overlap from at least the number I mentioned to the 3,370,000 range.

[TDP0311]

Thanks Rick! So this rifle is right around the end of M1903 production, cool deal.

[Rick the Librarian]

The last large number of Remington M1903s were in the 3,360,000 range. I believe John Beard said he has seen a couple of 3,370,000 range and even a 3,380,000 range 1903, but they were made from "floor-sweepings", so to speak. 3,350,000 and earlier Remington M1903s are relatively common. As a rule, any Remington M1903 in the 3,290,000 range and higher, has the rear receiver bridge "notch" indicating it was originally made to use the 03A3 rear sight. They had troubles with the sight, when first produced and decided to complete the receivers as M1903s, rather than waiting for the 03A3 rear sight to be perfected.

[John Beard]

Seasons' Greetings!

The first Remington M'03-A3's were in the S/N 3,320,000 range. The last regular production Remington M1903's were in the S/N 3,350,000 range. And the widely-scattered "floor sweepings" that Rick mentioned go up into the S/N 3,380,000 range.

Happy New Year!

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

I admit I've seen several in the 3,360,000 range, although not recently.

[John Beard]

Seasons' Greetings!

I stand corrected. There are some Remington M1903's in the S/N 3,360,000 range that are not floor sweepings. I should have known that because I have one!

Happy New Year!

J.B.

[boomer25]

Thanks for the info, obviously there are many nuances and lots to learn.

[Rick the Librarian]

As I say often, in the case of Remington M1903s, if you want nice, neat, categories, you should have taken up butterfly collecting!! :D