Interwar M1903 Help

[student of history]

Hi Gents,

I'm posting this thread on behalf of a friend who isn't tech savvy enough to do so.

He recently found a 1935 manufactured M1903 which he feels has potential but is hoping you fine gents could validate a few things before he makes the purchase. He knows that 27,000 receivers were manufactured in 1935 but is wondering if a 1933 manufactured barrel would be correct for said receiver? He's also interested to get your opinions on the finish, and the stock? Most importantly, he's wondering if the bolt is correct? Should it be blued or parkerized? Swept back or straight? etc...

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!

Chris

EDIT: I'm not sure why the pictures came out so small, but hopefully it's still possible to discern something from them.

[student of history]

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[student of history]

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[student of history]

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[student of history]

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[student of history]

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[Rick the Librarian]

1. The barrel may well be correct/original. Receivers, at this point in time at Springfield Armory, were made as "spares" and were pieced together with other parts months or even years later.

2. The trigger guard sort of sticks out like a sore thumb - it is a Remington M1903A3 stamped trigger guard from late production (late 1943/early 1944). The original trigger guard should have been milled.

3) The bolt is a Remington M1903, also from WWII. The original should have been marked, probably with an NS.

4) If you see any more R stamps on parts, they also date from WWII (Remington)

5) The stock is from the late 1930s and could well be the original one when the rifle was pieced together.

6) The finish on a rifle has never been my "specialty" but I would guess the one on your friend's rifle was refinished during WWII.

7) The rifle did not get a "hit" has a National Match M1903 - I wonder if it started out as a NM rifle and was used as a service rifle; the serial number is in the middle of a whole bunch of NM rifles.

[Rick the Librarian]

Attached is a picture of some milled trigger guards - I think you can see the difference. The stamped TG was made in one piece, the milled ones in two major parts.IMG_1144.jpgIMG_3604 (1024x588).jpg

[Randy A]

I think the bolt is actually Remington 1903A3.

[student of history]

Thanks for taking the time to respond guys! So, do you think these upgrades were done by the ordnance department during WWII or is this likely something a collector put back together after the fact?

- Chris

[Rick the Librarian]

Hard to tell - the refinish (if there is one) was done by the military. Some of the parts replacement could have been done by either one. It has been 70+ years since M1903s were on active military duty (other than drill rifles).