Buying a M1903

[bombdog]

Have to wait for the shoulder surgery to heal before i bust off any 30/06 rounds... Been just 2 weeks, just got the stitches out today... But i did go to another site i used to frequent, can't recall the name, but according to all the info between this one and that one, i may have taken too much wood from the tang area as the bolt, guard, and bushing have contact with each other... It was a freebe but i hope i didn't ruin it...
But she's a beaut... Going to a gun show tomorrow to see if i can score another strait stock with finger grooves...
i'll keep ya'll informed...
bombdog, out here...

[Merc]

Bombdog,

I hear you on your shoulder. My left was replaced in 09 and the right is probably not far behind. I baby it by shooting from a Caldwell rack to lessen the recoil and reduce aiming errors.

Merc

[bombdog]

Roger that Merc...
Went to the gunshow and i have a new addition to my girls, Winchester #108624 of the M1917 variety... Guess now i need to lern a thing er two bout her... Know the guy who had her, says she's a shooter... We'll see... Has a 11/18 Remington barrel though... i'll keep ya'll informed...
bombdog, gone diggin...

[Merc]

BD,

I also have a M1917 Winchester. See me on the M1917 page on this forum.

Merc

[Merc]

OK guys, since there's lots of foot traffic on this thread, I think it would be a great place to post some photos of your M1903s and 03-A3s, especially if they are recent acquisitions or really nice specimens. You saw my 03-A3. Let's see what you got.

Also, since so many forum members contributed their knowledge and experience to this thread, let them know if you were able to use any of the information that they so graciously offered to look for or buy your M1903 or 03-A3. Photos are always welcomed.

[Merc]

There are two variants that apply to the Smith-Corona 03-A3 that anyone who is looking to purchase one should be aware of. A 03-A3 with either of these variants would probably be considered uncommon.

Remington and Smith-Corona accidentally used the same serial numbers on approx. 3,600 03-A3s. S-C added a "C" prefix to their serial numbers for identification and inventory purposes.

High Standard Co. was the barrel supplier for S-C 03-A3s and acquired approx. 5,000 6 groove Savage barrels and got govt. approval to furnish them for S-C 03-A3s.

Note: Both quantities mention above are from an American Rifleman article published in 2010 and are approximate. The actual quantities produced may be different.

So, the next time you're looking at a S-C 03-A3, check to see if its serial number has a C prefix or a 6 groove barrel. With all the parts swapping going on at the armories when they were being rebuilt after WW2, what are the chances of finding a S-C 03-A3 with a C prefix and a 6 groove barrel? Now that would be rare.

[CPC]

Here are two 4.81M SC rifles that are only about 3600 serial numbers apart. The bottom rifle appears to only have been proof fired and is OG stamped. The top rifle is a 6 groove.

[Merc]

Here are two 4.81M SC rifles that are only about 3600 serial numbers apart. The bottom rifle appears to only have been proof fired and is OG stamped. The top rifle is a 6 groove.

Wow! Nice going.

[Merc]

As I indicated on previous posts on this thread, I purchased a minty 1943 Model 03-A3 in July, 2016 at Cabelas in Wheeling, WV. I live in Pittsburgh, PA. Is it legal to purchase a rifle in West Virginia and immediately transport it to Pennsylvania?

I'm considering taking an unloaded rifle plus several boxes of ammo with me on vacation to Florida to do some range shooting with relatives and I'm wondering about the 6 state lines (WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) that I'll cross (twice) and whether or not I'll be violating any state laws by merely having the rifle and ammo in the car with me.

It would be nice if Trump standardizes the federal gun laws to include transporting firearms across state lines.

[1903fan]

I just got myself a 1903 with a set of Mr Bill Bentz's thicker front sight and rear sight peep. these old eyes have never been happier!

[ElWoodman]

The 1903 Rifle won the first offensive engagement in the Pacific Theater of WWII: Guadalcanal. It was the ONLY time in WWII that US forces went up against an enemy on equal terms (5 shot turnbolt-vs- 5 shot turnbolt). We all know that firepower advantage enjoyed by our people toting the M1 Garand....And yes, "Tell it to the Marines"....

[ElWoodman]

Another possible factor is if it is a Marine Rifle. Our (Marine Corps) rifles are high and holy things to us, on occasion causing us to pay more than we'd rather admit.......but we do...It's a Marine thang.

[clintonhater]

The 1903 Rifle won the first offensive engagement in the Pacific Theater of WWII: Guadalcanal. It was the ONLY time in WWII that US forces went up against an enemy on equal terms (5 shot turnbolt-vs- 5 shot turnbolt)...

Don't forget the "Alamo of the Pacific," as the History Channel foolishly calls Wake Island. (The difference: the defenders of the Alamo, did NOT surrender.)

[Merc]

The 1903 Rifle won the first offensive engagement in the Pacific Theater of WWII: Guadalcanal. It was the ONLY time in WWII that US forces went up against an enemy on equal terms (5 shot turnbolt-vs- 5 shot turnbolt). We all know that firepower advantage enjoyed by our people toting the M1 Garand....And yes, "Tell it to the Marines"....

Just curious. Since the M1 Garand entered service in the mid-1930s, why were the Marines still using the M1903 at Guadalcanal?

[clintonhater]

Just curious. Since the M1 Garand entered service in the mid-1930s, why were the Marines still using the M1903 at Guadalcanal?

Army had top priority for M1s; Marines were supplied on the "trickle-down" principle.