Rem. 1903 Question

[John Beard]

Seasons' Greetings!

As Rick mentioned, the lowest I've seen were in the S/N 3,290,000 range.

Happy Holidays!

J.B.

[jonnyo55]

I have always suspected my Remington M1903, 3228652, of being produced during the production overlap between '03 rifles and '03A3's. It has all milled "R" coded parts, a barrel date of 9/42, and features the rough machining and "clear" parkerizing characteristic of late Remmy '03's. The ringer is the stock...it's the expected straight grip RA/FJA (unboxed, with crossed cannons) with RA "heiroglyphics" in front of the floorplate and stock bolts, but it's cut for the 'A3 handguard ring. In all respects, it appears original...consistent finish and wear on all metal parts, which is reflected by the stock. It just has that undefinable original "feel".

When did RA produce their first 'A3, and at what serial number?

Also...were these rifles actually issued to frontline combat units (along with their 'A3 brethren), or considered "reserve" weapons and issued to service/support troops?

[John Beard]

I have always suspected my Remington M1903, 3228652, of being produced during the production overlap between '03 rifles and '03A3's. It has all milled "R" coded parts, a barrel date of 9/42, and features the rough machining and "clear" parkerizing characteristic of late Remmy '03's. The ringer is the stock...it's the expected straight grip RA/FJA (unboxed, with crossed cannons) with RA "heiroglyphics" in front of the floorplate and stock bolts, but it's cut for the 'A3 handguard ring. In all respects, it appears original...consistent finish and wear on all metal parts, which is reflected by the stock. It just has that undefinable original "feel".

When did RA produce their first 'A3, and at what serial number?

Also...were these rifles actually issued to frontline combat units (along with their 'A3 brethren), or considered "reserve" weapons and issued to service/support troops?

Seasons' Greetings!

Remington M1903, S/N 3228652, would not likely be factory-fitted with a stock inletted for the M'03-A3 handguard ring. Based on your description, the most logical explanation is that your rifle has been re-stocked at some time in the past.

The earliest Remington M'03-A3 is not known. But it's somewhere around S/N 3,323,000.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

[Kurt]

Thanks Rick and John.

I know the sporters and re-arsenaled are tougher so was trying to focus on the receiver differences. The 3305977's barrel and receiver match up date and finish wise but the stock was changed to a scant long ago before I got it. The hardware is a mix of milled and stamped and the rifle was set up for some level of competitive shooting ie drilled for a rear aperture sight and a polished bolt and follower. Other than the initial rear sight bridge cuts, the rear of the breech arc is flattened across but not yet to the final A3 milling.
It's not a collector or anything, just a great shooter that was nicely done. The more I learn from you guys the more easily it is to recognize and know what's what when looking at these great old 03's.

Regards

Kurt

[Doug Douglass]

Interesting....I'll jump in with a Remington 03 I have had for years, #3236652, 9/42 bbl date, all R marked machined except for a stamped unmarked barrel band, and stamped R marked front sling ring, boxed FJA stock, looks as issued. So this one has 2 stamped parts. Also there is a stamped E in the handguard sight cut??

The kicker is it came with a correct 1942 dated Model 1923 sling.

[John Beard]

Interesting....I'll jump in with a Remington 03 I have had for years, #3236652, 9/42 bbl date, all R marked machined except for a stamped unmarked barrel band, and stamped R marked front sling ring, boxed FJA stock, looks as issued. So this one has 2 stamped parts. Also there is a stamped E in the handguard sight cut??

The kicker is it came with a correct 1942 dated Model 1923 sling.

Seasons' Greetings!

I assume from your description that the only stamped parts on your rifle are the lower band and the attached sling swivel. The two parts were originally manufactured as a single permanent assembly and were not intended to be disassembled or separated. The "R" mark on the swivel, therefore, covers both parts.

A stamped lower band is correct for your rifle. It can also correctly have other stamped parts. The transition from milled to stamped parts was a phased process, not abrupt.

The meaning of the "E" is unknown, and has not been widely reported on other rifles.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

[Bob S]

I've had 2 Remington '03's come into my hands with the stamped lower band, but a "milled" attaching swivel. Both of the assemblies had the screw upset so that the band and swivels were not easily separable. "Original" or not, this was a good arrangement for a shooter because the stamped attaching swivels are hell on slings.

[John Beard]

I've had 2 Remington '03's come into my hands with the stamped lower band, but a "milled" attaching swivel. Both of the assemblies had the screw upset so that the band and swivels were not easily separable. "Original" or not, this was a good arrangement for a shooter because the stamped attaching swivels are hell on slings.

Seasons' Greetings!

Your hybrid band/swivel combinations were likely the product of an ingenious armorer somewhere. I feel very confident that they didn't leave the Remington factory that way. Remington's stamped parts came from subcontractors that specialized in sheet metal stampings. Remington didn't make them.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

[Bob S]

JB,

That makes sense to me.

[Doug Douglass]

Seasons' Greetings!

I assume from your description that the only stamped parts on your rifle are the lower band and the attached sling swivel. The two parts were originally manufactured as a single permanent assembly and were not intended to be disassembled or separated. The "R" mark on the swivel, therefore, covers both parts.

A stamped lower band is correct for your rifle. It can also correctly have other stamped parts. The transition from milled to stamped parts was a phased process, not abrupt.

The meaning of the "E" is unknown, and has not been widely reported on other rifles.



Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

Ahh, after adjusting my glasses the lower band is rivited to the sling swivel. I bought this 03 and others when no one cared about them and no one took the time to mess with matching parts to make a "correct rifle". I guess they are called survivors.

Happy New Year