Rem 1903 receiver, is it true?

[L.Drillon]

The last of these Rem 1903 receivers had 2 flats milled on the rear bridge of the receiver? Thank You

[Johnny P]

You occasionally run into a late 1903 Remington receiver that was machined for the rear sight boss for the 03-A3 sight. This boss was removed when the receiver was to be used for the 1903, and this left the two flats you mention.

[Rick the Librarian]

As a rule (I've noticed a couple of exceptions) Remington M1903 receivers with serial numbers in the 3,290,000 range and higher have these markings. The strange thing is that on a couple of occasions, someone has posted pictures of a M1903A3 receiver with the dovetail in place and it doesn't seem to fit.

[John Beard]

Remington's planned transition from M1903 to M'03-A3 production was delayed at the last minute. Unfortunately, the transition had already started when the delay became necessary. To keep from disrupting wartime production, Remington milled off the extra steel on the receiver bridge and continued to make M1903 receivers from receivers originally intended from M'03-A3's. The milling left two flats on the receiver bridge.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

John, do you remember some time ago, that someone posted a picture as I described above, showing that the marks on the rear receiver bridge wouldn't "fit" a 03A3 rear sight base dovetail?

[jerrbear]

I have a Remington 1903 SN3290985 that does not have the flats. Maybe started after my serial no.?

[John Beard]

John, do you remember some time ago, that someone posted a picture as I described above, showing that the marks on the rear receiver bridge wouldn't "fit" a 03A3 rear sight base dovetail?

Yes, that's correct. An M'03-A3 rear sight dovetail groove will not fit across the two flats. And there's a very good reason for that.

J.B.

[John Beard]

I have a Remington 1903 SN3290985 that does not have the flats. Maybe started after my serial no.?

Yes, the receiver flats started about 3,000 rifles later, equivalent to about two days' production.

J.B.

[musketshooter]

Here is the picture.

[Jon Field]

I have one like that a Greek return! Nice rifle though .

[purple]

S/n's 3294818 and 3332542 both have the milled flats. S/n 3267807 does not.

[Rick the Librarian]

As I said, I only have noticed this feature on 3,290,000 range receivers and above. JB said it did not start until well into that serial range.