Remington 1903a3 info

[emmagee1917]

Back in the early '60s or so ( before my time , so some little things might be off ) you could buy '03s through the NRA/DCM program . There was two levels of pricing , serviceable and unserviceable . The stocks would be stamped "SS" and "US" as said above . They all came from the same racks , so to speak . The "SS" rifles were actually inspected before being shipped , ergo the higher cost . The next rifle in line could be going to fill a "US" order , and could be in better , the same , or worse shape than the "SS" pulled before it.
Chris

[oakfarm]

would you say these Rifles are pre-CMP,DCM sales? Tia. Lee W.

[emmagee1917]

The CMP did not exist till 1996 , so yes there . The DCM was formed in 1903 , so no there . At the time of this , the DCM was run by the army , and the NRA was involved in this , too .
My main point was that " US" rifles came from the same storage and were prob'ly in the same condition as the " SS" rifles but were not checked to be sure before shipment .
After 40-50 years now , the point is prob'ly moot .
Chris

[2111]

Your rifle appears arsenal-overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts. The "RA" marking in the stock is the manufacturer's mark signifying Remington Arms.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

I know little about the 03-A3 from a collecting standpoint but I do believe original Remington rifles had a parkerized barrel and receiver and other parts, including bolt, were a dark finish somewhat like a dark bluing. Also I see no rebuild markings on this rifle. What do you see that makes you say that it "appears arsenal-overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts" ????

[chuckindenver]

the first pictures shows a rifle thats all parkerized. it has been over hauled at least once.

[John Beard]

I know little about the 03-A3 from a collecting standpoint but I do believe original Remington rifles had a parkerized barrel and receiver and other parts, including bolt, were a dark finish somewhat like a dark bluing. Also I see no rebuild markings on this rifle. What do you see that makes you say that it "appears arsenal-overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts" ????

Your statements about original finish are correct. Now look closely at the first pictures. The bolt and trigger guard are parkerized, i.e., refinished. And if the rifle has refinished parts on it, then it has been overhauled and re-assembled from mixed parts.

J.B.

[2111]

Thanks John, took a closer look at the photos and see what you are saying. As I said I don't know much in regards to the 03-A3 from a collectors viewpoint. I purchased my one and only 03-A3 in 1965, a Smith Corona and sold it in 1996. When purchased I was not a collector and it was for target shooting. In any case, since I sold it I have been wanting another . As I mainly collect the M1 Garand I really can't afford to get to involved in collecting 03's so decided I would try and get one good example. The rifle I bought is a Remington ser. # 4180906. Rifle shows little if any use and has a MW of < 1. From the Remington association of America web page I see it is a late rifle produced in about Jan. 1944. I have examined the rifle but have not taken it apart except to remove bolt, firing pin and the butt plate. All parts but two have the "R" marking where expected. Also only the receiver, barrel and safety are parkerized, the rest of the parts are blue/black, with the exception of the trigger guard which I will get to. I do not know about other parts that I would have to disassemble the rifle further to see. The two parts not marked with the "R" are the rear sling swivel and the parkerized triggerguard. The rear sling swivel is blue/black and the same, as to finish, as the stacking swivel and upper sling swivel. I am not sure just where the trigger guard is marked and if the "R" would be visible without removing same. But the problem is it appears to be parkerized, certainly not a blue/black finish.
My question is, any chance that in late production Remington may have installed a parkerized trigger guard and /or an unmarked lower sling swivel ???
I just can't figure why, on what appears to be an otherwise unmolested rifle, the triggerguard and a rear swivel would have been changed.
Any information you could supply would be appreciated. Thanks, Joe

[John Beard]

My question is, any chance that in late production Remington may have installed a parkerized trigger guard and /or an unmarked lower sling swivel ???
I just can't figure why, on what appears to be an otherwise unmolested rifle, the triggerguard and a rear swivel would have been changed.
Any information you could supply would be appreciated. Thanks, Joe

The trigger guard on your rifle is indeed a Remington trigger guard. The statistical odds that the parkerized finish on your rifle's trigger guard originated at the Remington factory are extraordinarily small. In other words, I have never seen one.

The correct butt swivel on your rifle would be marked "RS" in small letters. And it would have a blue finish. Late Remington butt swivels were not marked "R".

Hope this helps.

J.B.

p.s.,

The safety lock correctly has a parkerized finish.

[2111]

Thanks John, every bit helps. Think I will just leave it as I got it. I learned from collecting the M1 Garand "never say never". Years ago I changed out an SA bolt that was in a 4.60 IHC rifle I had gotten from DCM. Found out from Dave McClain years latter that the SA bolt may have, in fact, been original to an IHC in that serial range. Unfortunately the SA bolt was long gone by that time.