Just got RA 03A3, barrel dated 3/43.

[jjrothWA]

Looked down the bore and very dark BUT its a four-groove.

Now, under long-term barrel soaking with fresh Hoppes, after six hour with send a FRESH bore brush down bore and see what develops.

Took some photos before the soaking, will post later.

Did the same with a 17 Enfield and that took five days.

Sporterized MIL Stock has a "R" stamped on the flat surface under the front ring, nothing else.

No rebuild stamp after WWII.

[Allen]

Interesting. Please keep us posted.

[Johnny P]

For badly corroded bores a soaking in Kroil will help loosen any rust, and they make mild steel bore brushes for just such bores. If the bore is pitted you can't do anything to help this, but jacketed bullets will sometimes shoot amazingly well in cark bores.

Any rebuild mark would have been in the wood.

[jjrothWA]

Weeeell, after 24 hours soaking, pored the clear GREEN liquid thru a funnel and coffee filter.

Ran the new bore brush twenty stroke both was, as got a more defined rifling to start showing up.

Did drop a M2 bullet in the muzzle and the distance between the cannalure crimp and the muzzle, measured as 1/8". May consider counter-boring to hit better rifling.

Black gunk came out with he brush and bore rod, may have to coat the interior with turpentine to remove the rust, may try a SS spiral wrapped brush for that effort.

SN: 34932XX. Barrel date: 3/43

photos are before soaking / cleaning.



Next five are stock one new and sporterized.

- - - Updated - - -

More photos.

[jjrothWA]

final stock photos.

Last three of five.

[Johnny P]

The "sporterized" stock appears to be a 1922 Springfield stock. Cut for Lyman 48 receiver sight, and no lightening cuts in forearm.

[JimF]

The "sporterized" stock appears to be a 1922 Springfield stock. Cut for Lyman 48 receiver sight, and no lightening cuts in forearm.

Yes . . . . .This ^^^^^^^

The clincher is, the angled mill-cut in the front wall of the magazine mortice and there is NO mill-cut in the wood for the magazine cut-off ?switch? of the M1903.

[jaie5070]

Have you tried hot soapy water, for cleaning the bore? It works great if the fouling is from shooting black powder blanks.

[togor]

If I may ask, what is the goal? Raise that barrel from the dead?

[Johnny P]

If a rifle has fired blanks you only have a short window to get it out before the blackpowder residue starts attracting moisture and rusting the bore.

[togor]

If a rifle has fired blanks you only have a short window to get it out before the blackpowder residue starts attracting moisture and rusting the bore.

IIRC military blanks are a small charge of fast burning smokeless propellant.

I do recall owning some starter pistol blanks which were black powder based. The smoke being a virtue in that case because it gives a visual indication. And yes 100% true about cleaning.

[Johnny P]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023546315

[togor]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023546315

Perfect for a "starter shotgun" LOL

[lyman]

google best foaming bore cleaner, and buy one,

put the muzzle in a small can, like a tuna can or a catfood can

load the bore up with foam

let set a couple days,
repeat
just using a regular brush, nylon, or brass, or bronze, give it 10 or 20 strokes, and load up a few patches with hoppes or similar,

Diesel or kero work too,

once you feel it is clean, take a peak, and if needed repeat,


I bought a handful of 1917's from an estate, all but one came clean after about 2 weeks of soaking

I bought 4 of the top 5 foaming bore cleaners, and they all worked well,
skip Birchwood Casey, it is like snot going in , and snot coming out,

or you can plug one end, fill it with kero, or kroil, and let it set a good bit and flush and scrub


all were CMP sales, and ex VFW guns,

[jjrothWA]

Why, and what for

Did the same from a 17 Enfield , ended up with a good shooter for the early "vintage matches" from the DCM.

Current bore photos:





I will re-assemble and head to range to and fire 10 - 20 reloads and hit the bore with fresh Hoppe's and see what develops.

If the bore clean up and give decent group, then will consider some "Tubbs" fire-lapping bullets.

End result may need to find a WWII barrel still in the wrapper.