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RCK
11-08-2017, 04:29
Is there a value premium for a Smith Corona 03-A3 with a 6 groove barrel? At about what serial number did these rifles go to 4 grooves?
p246
11-08-2017, 06:53
I sold one for a friend to a board member. I think condition speaks more than 4 or 6 grove. Condition being same the right collector would pay a little more but not a lot. I'd venture a guess of around $100.00. That's my opinion for what it is worth. As to the change over there is no set serial number I am aware of. Maybe one of the experts can answer that or at least narrow it down.
Sunray
11-08-2017, 12:21
Rumoured to be only around 5,000 6 grooves made. Barrels made by High Standard that they literally had lying around. SC had made 5,540 '03A3's by the end of 1942, starting mass production in November. The actual S/N was probably not recorded. No S/N on the barrels.
P51MUSTANG
11-08-2017, 09:52
What is the first recorded SC 03A3 serial number? I have heard conflicting numbers.
Kragrifle
11-09-2017, 04:58
My understanding is that Savage produced the six groove barrels used by SC.
gpb
11-09-2017, 05:27
Here's a link to an interesting article on the Smith Corona 03A3.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2010/3/12/the-smith-corona-03a3s/

From this article it seems that the six groove barrel blanks were made by Savage arms with the finish contouring and machining done by High Standard.
Rick the Librarian
11-09-2017, 05:35
The barrels/blanks were made by High Standard.
98src
11-09-2017, 01:19
What was Hi-STANDARD doing with 6 groove 30 caliber barrels? Were they making rifle barrels for someone else?
John Beard
11-09-2017, 06:37
Rick the Librarian is correct. All Smith-Corona barrels were made by High Standard, including the early 6-groove barrels. There is no connection whatsoever with Savage.

Old myths don't die easily.

J.B.
John Beard
11-09-2017, 06:44
What was Hi-STANDARD doing with 6 groove 30 caliber barrels? Were they making rifle barrels for someone else?

Answers are as follows:

(1) They were manufacturing the barrels from scratch, marking them "S C/Shell and Flame/Month-Year", and shipping them to Smith-Corona.

(2) I believe High Standard may have also made some barrels for Army Ordnance contractors, but I don't recall at the moment.

J.B.