My 1942 Remington 1903

[2A-Jay]

My rifle is an "Un-Modified Remington 1903 with the possible exception of 3 parts, Stamped Lower Band, RIA Bolt Body, and a Fine Checkered milled Remington Butt Plate.

[jsaviano]

They are NOT all "Modified" Remington made many, many 1903 Springfields that were "identical" to the Rock Island ones.

[Rick the Librarian]

'They're ALL "Remington Modified".'

Rick, please explain since it is my understanding (perhaps erroneous) that the original Remington's were just like the SA and RIA 1903s, and only later did Remington begin to streamline production by cutting unnecessary corners. My books are 6 feet away and it's too hot for me to make the effort to move that far. Thanks.

You are correct - however the term as used by collectors (depending whom you consult) has the term "Modified" used for Remington M1903s in the 3,050,000-3,100,000 range and later. Well after the earlier parts were no longer used. Some say the term applies to those with stamped parts. There was no "starting" and "stopping" period of March, 1942, as often claimed. Changes were introduced gradually over a number of months. You can find later Remington M1903s with earlier characteristics, and vice/versa.

The term "Modified" was used to describe all Remington M1903s because the machinery and gauges used by Remington were, in effect "frozen" to those changes made to @ 1919, when Rock Island ceased production. There were numerous changes made at Springfield after that period in producing M1903s. For one, the Type C stock was made standard long before the Remington M1903 was produced. However, in the interests of getting production going, Remington was allowed to use the "straight" stock (first with grasping grooves, later without) instead of the Type C.

[John Beard]

The term "Modified" appeared in Army Ordnance documentation describing the Remington M1903 rifle several months before the first rifle was submitted for inspection. The term "Modified" was used to distinguish the Remington rifle from the then-standard M1903A1 rifle. With adoption of the M1903A1 rifle in 1929, the standard M1903 rifle was officially classified as obsolete, thereby precluding further production of such rifles as new. So to politically work around the "obsolete" classification, the Remington rifle became "Modified".

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

Thanks for the clarification, John.

[2A-Jay]

Thank from me as well John, I enjoy learning as much as I can about my new found interest in US Mil Surp Weapons. The '03 has a special interest in my as this was the first rifle I ever shot in my life way back in Navy Boot Camp.

[rebound]

Thank from me as well John, I enjoy learning as much as I can about my new found interest in US Mil Surp Weapons. The '03 has a special interest in my as this was the first rifle I ever shot in my life way back in Navy Boot Camp.

Navy boot camp? What time frame was this? You must be an old timer....

[2A-Jay]

it was 1971-1972 in San Diego. We shot the '03 for fam fire and the Garand for Qualifying. Also fired the 1911A1 and a Thompson Sub (don't ask me why any of these weapons except the 1911, Fleet Units had M14's and M16's)

And yes I have been called an "Old Timer a few times (a day)

[ElWoodman]

If the follower is marked with a "W" then it is from a Winchester M1917. The followers from '03s and '17s are pretty close to identical.