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View Full Version : 03a3 rearsenaled or not?



milboltnut
02-14-2015, 05:08
Just picked up an 03a3.... matching barrel and receiver.

Was wondering about the stock markings in front of the magazine.

There's 4.

89 in a square

1 in a triangle

11 in a circle

5 in a circle

Also an M in front of the Pressure Mark behind the trigger guard.

Johnny P
02-14-2015, 05:24
Not much to go on there. More to follow?

Rick the Librarian
02-14-2015, 06:01
Most of the markings you list are those stamped during manufacture. I agree with JP we'd have to have more information, as well as some pictures.

milboltnut
02-14-2015, 12:10
the only other marking is the inspectors stamp FJA... what else do you need?

Doug Douglass
02-14-2015, 03:14
Pictures???

Rick the Librarian
02-14-2015, 05:07
We can't really tell you much - An FJA is seen on virtually all M1903A3s. It is the inspection stamp of the Rochester Ordnance District. Frank J. Atwood (FJA) was the commander, not the inspector.

Rick the Librarian
02-14-2015, 05:34
When you ask about identifying an overhauled rifle, it is extremely difficult with photos, as finish is one of the main identifiers.

Serial number (at least the first few digits) and barrel date would be a start. Any barrel date after 12/43 or 1/44 is a sign the rifle was overhauled, but only one of them.

milboltnut
02-14-2015, 05:59
29833

29832

29834


29836

milboltnut
02-14-2015, 07:02
I see the cutoff is off color... appears to be rearsenaled.

Punch the Clown
02-14-2015, 07:05
Bolt for sure is re-finished. Can't really see enough of the other metal.

Rick the Librarian
02-14-2015, 07:21
The barrel is original, but a lot of the rest appears to be refinished or a replacement. The Trigger guard is the earlier "small" bow.

milboltnut
02-15-2015, 04:49
I'm sure it is Rick....it definately seen minimal use though.

Just reading an artical from Canfield... the 1917's seen even less. My 17 has a JA replacement. According to his artical the 17's were used primarly for training and supplemental. For as bad as my barrel is i'm thinking it was used for training. I always wondered why the rest of the rifle was in as good a shape as it was compared to the barrel. Still shoots good though, can't center it... shoots off to the right, couple of inches high.

Rick the Librarian
02-15-2015, 05:34
It may not have seen much "activity" since it was rebuilt.

M1917s saw quite a bit of action in WWII - they were used by the British, French, Chinese and Filipinos, to name but a few. You're also right that many saw use in training, as well.

milboltnut
02-15-2015, 06:14
the parkerization is too great a shape to see much activity at all. Did they repark as part of the rebuild?

Rick the Librarian
02-15-2015, 06:43
Yep ...

mack
02-15-2015, 10:40
The rebuild program at RIA in the mid-50s re-parked everything. It is a hallmark of 1903A3 rifles that have come through the program. Unfortunately, ALL were reparked. I should hasten to add that many of the best rifles from this type were simply stored in unissued condition and many of the older DCM rifles delivered to NRA members in the early 60s were from these unissued examples.

milboltnut
02-15-2015, 03:08
you guys just blew the wind out of my sails..... ;) when I saw it on the rack, I shoulda pick one with more ware. LOL

Oh well, it should be a good shooter. Thanks guys.

bruce
02-16-2015, 06:00
Re: OP. Excellent answers to your question. Agree. Nice 03-A3's are not so easy to find. You've got a very nice rifle that will doubtless give you very good results on the range. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

Johnny P
02-16-2015, 06:17
The barrel would have been excellent after rebuild, but if sold through the NRA/DCM to a civilian just one shooting session with corrosive primed ammo without cleaning would have trashed the barrel.

Rick the Librarian
02-16-2015, 07:34
There's nothing wrong with a nice rebuild. My first M1 from the CMP, back in 1999 was a total mixmaster that looked as if it had been barely touched since refurb. It is my favorite shooter and we have sent a lot of M2 downrange since then!

chuckindenver
02-16-2015, 07:43
refinished during rebuild for sure