Surprise

[ETCKenSchmidt]

I received a rifle back in 1980 from my grandma's husband. I was told it was a Remington 700 30-06. It had a scope on it and I don't know much about details of guns. I bought a new scope to put on it and it needs a new rail. When I took the scope off it revealed what I really have - U.S. Remington model 1903 s/n 3339233.

I have a couple of questions. I thought Springfield made the 1903, is this a anomaly? The gun has been a good deer rifle, should I put it on the wall and leave it. I still need a rail and can't find a Remington 1903 rail, is the Springfield 1903 rail the same?

[Randy A]

Springfield was the original design and production along with Rock Island. During WW2 Remington went into production of them with the old tooling.
Depends on what you mean by rail, what type of rings are on the scope, you'll have to post pics of both without being any more specific. On another note, if it has not been drilled and tapped you may wish to reconsider. I've seen quite a few mounts from back in the day that were for the do-it-yourself-er and did not require any special work.

Or you may only need different rings.

[PhillipM]

If I were you, I'd call Chuck Moline, aka here and elsewhere at chuckindenver. He is a specialist on these rifles, both in military trim and the ones that have been turned into deer rifles. A five minute conversation will be better than two pages of speculation since we really don't know what has been done to your Remington 1903 and saying it needs a new rail and or why is not cluing us in.

720-841-1399
Mailing Address: Warpath Vintage LLC
P.O. Box 211398
Denver, CO. 80221

[Jim in Salt Lake]

Unless there's some specific issue with your rifle making it unsafe to shoot, it doesn't need to become a wall hanger because of it's age. I have a Remington 1903 I put upwards of 800 rounds a year through.