help on this 1903 A2 rifle

[andy_ita]

hi guys
Merry Christmas

i found on a gun store this rock Island 1903 A2. i know nothing about it. could anyone tell me if it is real or a fake??
thanks
andy

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/912/gp8ml7.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pcgp8ml7j)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/n6VVTz.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/eyn6VVTzj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/OKcL5G.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f0OKcL5Gj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/4WAhV9.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/id4WAhV9j)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/qZHYCz.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/exqZHYCzj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/6qZFRi.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f06qZFRij)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/JNEPF2.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/exJNEPF2j)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/9qkzlq.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f09qkzlqj)

[fjruple]

The M1903A2 is not a stocked weapon. The A2 was a subcaliber device that was fitted into the breech of a large caliber gun such as a 37mm AT Gun for practice. It appears that somewhere in its history it was reconverted back to a M1903 Springfield rifle. Neat find!!

--fjruple

[11mm]

Appears to be a Greek return, due to the "B" on the floor plate and the markings on the stock, but of course those are just parts and could have been added later.

[kcw]

When the A2 device was obsoleted, serviceable barreled receivers were converted back to standard rifle configuration, or otherwise used as rifle parts. My neighbor has an A2 marked 03. He obtained it from a WWII army armorer who then put in another couple of decades as a small arms armorer in the local NG outfit. It's been a couple years since I've seen my neighbor's rifle but the A2 mark on the rifle in the picture looks correct as I recall. The A2 assembly did not have a buttstock on it, therefore the pin which holds the trigger/sear assy to the receiver is staked so that it won't fall out the receiver during usage. The pin holding the trigger to the sear might also be staked (Like I said, it's been a couple of years), but you'll need to remove the stock to view those areas. I don't believe that these converted back rifles were marked in any special way during re- conversion to indicate their prior usage.

[Liam]

Whenever that stock was reissued, it was inspected by Elmer Keith at Ogden, Utah. "O.G.E.K." in a box is Elmer Keith, "OGEK" without dots is Ed Klauser…who was probably a great guy and all, but doesn't have "the story" that Elmer Keith does. Neat. Also, appears to have a Greek Cyrillic "P" on tang.

[musketshooter]

A correct A2 has a sleeve on the barrel just forward of the receiver to adapt it to the sub caliber devise insert. It appears that the rifle shown is a complete parts gun using a recovered receiver.

[andy_ita]

I found this on the net

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/661/7mrE9j.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/id7mrE9jj)

But i dont if the arsenal repair is correct. I mean the stock cartouche is correct?

[andy_ita]

So for what i found,
The rifle was used as A2 , as it marked. The sent near 1944/45 at the odgen arsenal where it was rebuilt and rebarreled. As the cartouche odek say.
Than sent after the ww2 to greek for the civil war (1946-49) as the Marks says ( the X, the O and the 2 T on the stock and the B on the floorplate) coukd it be correct??

[kcw]

Back in June of 2005 the CMP auctioned off an 1903A2 (serial # 1137177) for $4,600. It had a 1918 dated AV barrel on it (original?) but otherwise appeared to made up with miscel parts, including a scant stock. I don't know if there was something particularly rare about that individual rifle, or if he price reflected the scarcity of A2 marked rifles in general.

[andy_ita]

Well i red that only 1000 of these A2 rifles was made

[Southron]

Well, that rifle should fetch a nice price at auction. If you intend to sell it, I would advise against shooting it as it is a "Low Number" RIA.

Congratulations on your find!

[PeteDavis]

We love the Greek M1903 anomalies. There are many. That's a good one!

PD

[Mike D]

Given the A2 and Greek history, I don't think I would have a problem shooting this one.

It is not my fault if you shoot your face off! :evil6:

Merry Christmas!

Mike

[Col. Colt]

If only a thousand were made, I'd say you have a winner! CC

[andy_ita]

The right number should be arround 1500

[Southron]

You have a rare and valuable "Collector's item," especially so, since the rifle can be associated with Elmer Keith. I don't know IF there are any other "rebuilt" M1903A2's out there that have the Elmer Keith cartouche on them! You might have a "one of a kind."

Also note that your rifle is built on a Low Number Rock Island receiver-so to protect your investment, not to mention your well being, do not shoot the rifle.

Needless to say, the rifle would fetch a very good price at an auction!

[Rick the Librarian]

The Elmer Keith inspection stamp (boxed OGEK) is relatively common.

[andy_ita]

And the 1903 marked A2.?

[Rick the Librarian]

NOT common, but I wouldn't call it rare.

[PhillipM]

I know this is a long dead thread, but why is the OGEK stamp on the right side of the stock?

[Liam]

Old thread, indeed. Mine has O.G.E.K. in box on both sides of the stock.