1942 Remington Model 1903 Transition ?

[Tdarmo]

I have a Remington model 1903 I think is a transition rifle?. Serial number 3249773. Stock is straight grip no finger grooves and pins instead of bolts. Stock is cut for hand guard ring. Unboxed FJA Barrel date 9/42 all milled parts. I will try and post pictures in morning.

[John Beard]

Seasons' Greetings!

I'm not sure what you mean by a "transition rifle." Your rifle's stock is not contemporary with the serial number. It should not be cut for the hand guard ring.

Hope this helps. We look forward to seeing pictures! And Happy New Year!

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

John, I think Tdarmo is referring to the common (and incorrect) belief that the later Remington M1903s were a transition between the earlier ones with GG stocks and milled features and the M1903A3. As I have told numerous people before, the WHOLE M1903 line produced by Remington was a "transition", as they started making modifications, almost from the get-go.

There was no "transition" Remington M1903. I often compare production to one of those computer generated drawings which gradually turn a lion into a lamb or vice-versa.

Also, shouldn't the stock have stock bolts instead of screws at that point? Obviously, the cuts for the handguard ring used on the M903A3 came later.

[Kragrifle]

Take a look back at around 12/17 or 12/19 for the most complete discussion I know of concerning the 1903 Remingtons .

[five 0]

[QUOTE=John Beard;442949]Seasons' Greetings!

I'm not sure what you mean by a "transition rifle." Your rifle's stock is not contemporary with the serial number. It should not be cut for the hand guard ring.

Hope this helps. We look forward to seeing pictures! And Happy New Year!
J.B.[/QUOTE

Was there any 1903A3 scant stocks that were not cut for the hand guard ring?

[John Beard]

Was there any 1903A3 scant stocks that were not cut for the hand guard ring?

Seasons' Greetings!

Your question answers itself. A scant stock for a 1903A3, by definition, is cut for the hand guard ring!

Perhaps you intended to ask if there were any scant stocks that were not cut for the M'03-A3 hand guard ring. And the answer is YES.

Hope this helps. Happy New Year!

J.B.

[five 0]

Yes that it what I was intending to ask. Would any of those stocks have been used with a 1903 Remington?

[John Beard]

Yes that it what I was intending to ask. Would any of those stocks have been used with a 1903 Remington?


Seasons' Greetings!

Remington M1903 rifles were never factory-fitted with scant stocks. Some Remington M'03-A4 rifles beginning in late 1943 were factory-fitted with scant stocks, but those were the only ones.

Hope this helps. Happy New Year!

J.B.

[Tdarmo]

Hi
finally got a chance to post some pictures. What I was wondering was if the stock that my 1903 sits in now would be correct for the year of the gun. One more question. Both guns went through a RA-P rebuild but the rebuild on the 1903 looks crude and the stamps are totally different. barrel date on 1903 is 9/42 and A3 is 6/43. Also I cant find a makers mark on the rear sight or on the floor plate 1903 top of bolt there is an X and on bottom there is a punch mark and a small number 8. I think all other parts Remington. Firing pin ? 3387633878338793387733880

[Tdarmo]

3388133882338833388433885

[John Beard]

Seasons' Greetings!

Your Remington M1903 rifle has been overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts. The stock obviously came from an M'03-A3 rifle.

Your Remington M'03-A3 rifle, on the other hand, appears correct and original. The "RA-P" is perhaps an arsenal minor repair or simply a re-inspection stamp.

Hope this helps. Happy New Year!

J.B.

[Tdarmo]

Thanks thats what I thought

[dave]

There was a guy who posted here regularly, collected mostly Marine stuff and 03's in general. I once got into a discussion with him about scant stocks, he said they were used in the 30's for Marine corp. snipers. I said they were strictly WW11 stocks. He got rather hot and I let it go. Every thing he had was brand new, never fired (not brand new rebuild). He is now a big Winchester collector on another site.

[Tdarmo]

Do you know what site? I also collect those3390533906

[Rick the Librarian]

There was a guy who posted here regularly, collected mostly Marine stuff and 03's in general. I once got into a discussion with him about scant stocks, he said they were used in the 30's for Marine corp. snipers. I said they were strictly WW11 stocks. He got rather hot and I let it go. Every thing he had was brand new, never fired (not brand new rebuild). He is now a big Winchester collector on another site.

Some people will never let the truth interfere with a good "belief"! :)