Smith-Corona "C" prefix rifles

[JiminLE]

Not sure if this has been asked before but, is there a known number of how many SC 03A3's have the "C" prefix serial number? How many are known to still be around? VI Shooter's page doesn't list many at all. Just wondering because I have C371142x.
Thanks,

Jim

[John Beard]

Your rifle is unusual and rare indeed! Not only does it have a "C" prefix, it also has an "x" suffix! I wish I could find one of those!

Some people have all the luck!

J.B.

[Merc]

Smith-Corona was assigned a block of serial numbers for the 03-A3s that they were producing. Remington accidentally used 3,600 of the serial numbers that were supposed to be used on the S-C rifles. S-C also used those same 3,600 serial numbers but added a "C" prefix in order to differentiate between their 03-A3s and those produced by Remington. So, yours is one of only 3,600 S-C produced 03-A3s to carry a C prefix. I don't believe that there's any data out there that that would indicate how many C prefixed serial numbers are still around.

There's a good article on the history of S-C's 03-A3 on this forum. Look on page 9 of the thread "Buying a M1903."

[John Beard]

Smith-Corona was assigned a block of serial numbers for the 03-A3s that they were producing. Remington accidentally used 3,600 of the serial numbers that were supposed to be used on the S-C rifles. S-C also used those same 3,600 serial numbers but added a "C" prefix in order to differentiate between their 03-A3s and those produced by Remington. So, yours is one of only 3,600 S-C produced 03-A3s to carry a C prefix. I don't believe that there's any data out there that that would indicate how many C prefixed serial numbers are still around.

There's a good article on the history of S-C's 03-A3 on this forum. Look on page 9 of the thread "Buying a M1903."

Actually, it was the other way around. Smith-Corona overran their allocated block of serial numbers and into the block of serial numbers allocated to Remington. So Smith-Corona had to make amends by prefixing their duplicate serial numbers.

J.B.

[cplnorton]

No kidding? That is one I had never heard of till today. I guess there is always something new to learn.

[Kragrifle]

New to me as well. What was the x for?

[Merc]

Actually, it was the other way around. Smith-Corona overran their allocated block of serial numbers and into the block of serial numbers allocated to Remington. So Smith-Corona had to make amends by prefixing their duplicate serial numbers.

J.B.

John,

The American Rifleman wrote a great article on the history of the Smith-Corona 03-A3. They devote a small paragraph to the serial number problem. According to AR, it was Remington who did the deed. Do you have another source that indicates otherwise?

Here's the article:

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

[Merc]

JiminLE,

I'll ask the forum the obvious question for you:

So, with only 3,600 S-C 03-A3s with a C prefixed serial number produced, and an undetermined quantity remaining, how much more $$$ are they worth than your average S-C 03-A3 without the C prefix?

[Merc]

There's another interesting S-C 03-A3 variant. According to the American Rifleman article, early in production of S-Cs 03-A3, High Standard Co. was supplying rifle barrels to S-C and acquired about 5,000 commercial 6 groove barrels from Savage and received a waiver from the govt. to supply them to S-C. So, take a look at the rifling in your S-C 03-A3 and see if the barrel has 6 grooves.

[PhillipM]

John,

The American Rifleman wrote a great article on the history of the Smith-Corona 03-A3. They devote a small paragraph to the serial number problem. According to AR, it was Remington who did the deed. Do you have another source that indicates otherwise?

Here's the article:

HTTPS://www.americanrifleman.org/art...-corona-03a3s/

The better question is where did American Rifleman get its source? JB's idea of a vacation getaway is studying original documents in the National Archives.

[jgaynor]

New to me as well. What was the x for?

Easy - "x" marks the spot!

[cplnorton]

The better question is where did American Rifleman get its source?

Man isn't that the truth. lol I only study Marine Corps weapons, so that is the only topic I know enough to pick out the articles that are full of crap. But man some of these big names in these books literally just make up stuff.

I have much more faith in many members on this forum, than I do in some of the biggest name aurthors out there.

[Merc]

The better question is where did American Rifleman get its source? JB's idea of a vacation getaway is studying original documents in the National Archives.

I'm sure that JB will let us know if the American Rifleman's article is incorrect.

[PhillipM]

I'm sure that JB will let us know if the American Rifleman's article is incorrect.

He already did

[Merc]

He already did

JB disputed the article but hasn't said why.