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Steve you bought that rifle!! I should have known!! That was some find! Yes I tried finding unit records but that was awhile back. Seems like they were either destroyed or hopefully hidden somewhere in some warehouse lol. Good luck in your research I know it's a royal pain but rewarding.
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2016 was an interesting year. I was looking for a M1903 but opted for a really nice 1943 Remington 03-A3 in July when an opportunity presented itself. I also bought a Winchester M1917 in January that I greatly admire for its size, strength and appearance. Both are in great shape and shoot accurately. I'm still looking for a M1903 and will not rest until I find one in 2017. Lastly, we elected a president who will defend the 2nd amendment. All things considered, it wasn't a bad year.Comment
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I bought a front sight hood for the 1943 Remington 03-A3 I bought in July 2016 thinking it would help to aim the rifle by framing the thin sight blade which would allow me to see the target a little more easily. The hood was still covered in cosmoline and there are no marks on it so I figured it was new. I tried to install the hood but found that it was impossible to do without scratching the near perfect Parkerized finish on the front end of the barrel. I know the hoods must fit tightly on the barrel in order to stay put. Has anyone found a way to install a tight fitting hood without scratching a perfect Parkerized finish?Comment
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The sight protector doesn't make sighting easier on the 03-A3, and actually makes it more difficult. The round aperture of the receiver sight is a wonderful sighting device given the ability of the eye with no input from you to acquire the center of the aperture and position the front sight blade at the center. Especially so with the taller front sight blade of the 03-A3, with the sight protector on you have added another aperture for the eye to center, and it does. Only problem is that the front sight blade is not centered in the front aperture, and is very close to the top of the sight protector. You have to consciously disregard the front aperture, which is now in the way, and concentrate on the sight blade to keep it centered in the rear aperture.
If you want to try it for yourself, stick two round bit screwdrivers in the upper part of the sight protector and pry it apart as best you can to help get it over the sight, and have your best buddy there to help get it on. Coming off it removes some more finish. I have seen them with the folded over piece on the rear cut off to allow the protector to slide on instead of over the sight.Comment
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I've been watching a fairly minty looking 1918 RIA M1903 s/n 304xxx at my favorite gun store for a while. They've had it for several months and might be ready to make a deal.Comment
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Joe.....The M1903 carried the day for the 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal August '42- January '43. They were relieved by US Army forces toting M1s, but by that time most of the fighting was done. Marines, with the '03, shattered the myth of Japanese invincibility. Then they were issued M1s and the rest is history.....Comment
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I think I've finally zeroed the windage adjustment on my 03A3. I hit the bulls eye at 100 yards several times after many experiment shots. I may actually begin to enjoy shooting this rifle now I can finally hit where I'm aiming instead of constantly tinkering with the windage knob.Comment
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It's sad to see so little traffic on this forum these days.Comment
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Louis:
In North Central Fla, and happened on a Nov 1918 mix master in a pawn shop, about 3 yrs back. There's also a low sn wallhanger in a gun store within 5 mi of my house. 8*). And the one I got, seems to have the earmarks of being a Marine '03. Rebuilt after the war, but the bolt handle is electro penciled with a sn, that's withing a couple o' hundred of the one used by a Marine WW1 MOH awardee. And the sn of the rifle, is close to ones that were in the Banana Repulbic wars, or at a USMC air field in St Thomas, VI, or Mare Island, or a Naval Ammo dump close the the NY Federal school for idiots on the Hudson river. Unless you find a Marine's service record, it's hard to establish where a Marine '03 was, dur to the fact that until the middle or end of WW2, Marines at boot camp were issued a weapon and carried it were ever they were sent, until it was *lost*, turned in for repair, turned in when the Marine left service. Corpral Norton on the forum, goes thru NARA looking for info on Marine '03's.
RHBComment
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I had some fun with my Remington 03-A3. Took it with me this year on vacation to FL. The range had several non-shooting spectators who were just looking at the weaponry. A minty M1 Garand was there and attracted much attention. Rangemaster only one to notice my 03-A3. Kinda bland looking. My M1917 Winchester always drew a crowd at this range.
Still looking for a M1903. Saw several that were sold before I had time to act. Started carrying my gauges in the glove compartment. Collectors are driving up the price.Comment
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Rub grease inside the edges of sight hood before installing it, makes it go on easier with no scratches. To pull off run a round shanked screwdriver through upper ring and pull straight off! Helps to never install one though!!!Freedom is not free, the cost can be seen everyday, for it is engraved in marble, cast in bronze and highlighted with little American flags!Comment
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A friend has offered to sell me his blued 1925 Springfield M1903. I got an email from him yesterday and I’ll be seeing him on Wednesday. I saw the ‘03 a few months ago and told him to let me know if he ever wanted to sell it.
The rifle has been extensively rebuilt just in time for the final year of WW2 by the Rock Island Arsenal. The stock is stamped RIA over EB in a rectangle. I’m not finding anything on EB. He was apparently an inspector at the arsenal during the 1940s. The rifle currently wears a High Standard barrel that’s dated 9/44. I checked for muzzle wear and headspace when I first saw it and both were OK. I didn’t check it for throat erosion but will before any money changes hands.
The stock is a Remington 03A3 and has a very dark mostly undisturbed patina with the usual marks and dings. The rebuild cartouche is bold but the FJA cartouche is barely legible. The only disturbed area on the stock is a small repair on the left side near the forward edge of the receiver. I’ve seen this type of repair previously in about the same spot. Not sure what caused it, but obviously, it was bad enough to fix. It appears a small section of wood was removed and a new piece was inserted, pegged (3) and glued. Whoever did the work was a pro. Unfortunately, he used a hardwood like maple which is a lighter color.
He also has three M1903 stocks that he described as “beat up.” They’re probably too far gone to be useful, but no harm looking.Last edited by Merc; 08-06-2019, 08:16.Comment
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I bought the 1925 Springfield ‘03. The rifle’s mechanics were clean and appear to be in minty condition. Headspace and muzzle/throat erosion measurements are as new. The HS 9/44 barrel looks as new. The dull black finish on the metal parts is undisturbed. That’s the good news. The rest of the rifle is a mixture of ‘03 and 03A3 parts. The stock has a lightly stamped FJA cartouche and has a squared spring groove so it’s a Remington 03A3 type 11. It was oil soaked. Looking a bit closer at the spring groove, the squared end was cut on a slight angle, so it could be a Keystone stock.
Springfield ‘03 parts required to replace the 03A3 parts are available on the Internet and are inexpensive. I’ll keep the Remington 03A3 stock on the rifle for now while keeping a watchful eye on eBay.
I baked out some of the oil in the stock by placing it in the hot afternoon sun for several hours over several days and wiping the oil away every hour or so after spraying with alcohol. There were literally streams of oil dripping from the stock. I might try it again tomorrow while wrapping it in a black garbage bag and see if the additional heat will expel more oil.Last edited by Merc; 08-06-2019, 08:21.Comment
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