Pristine M1903A3

[Rick the Librarian]

Since Fred got away with it, we'll see if I can, too!

I had a chance to look over a fantastic-looking M1903A3 that is the next thing to right off the assembly line. It was bought through the "$10.00 plus $4.50 shipping" DCM in 1961 and the paperwork is still present. It will be listed in the near future. Except for the obligatory proof-firing, it appears to have been never fired since the rifle was received al most NO wear.

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[Rick the Librarian]

A few more pictures:

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[Rick the Librarian]

One more showing the paperwork:

[JimF]

Rick . . . .

It appears to have an older/earlier extractor . . . possibly a Remington-made part . . . as it has the gas escape hole in the forward portion.

Could be original to the rifle IF it is, indeed, a Remington part.

But it does seem to have a very high serial number to have such an early part. --Jim

[Kurt]

The safety lug doesn't look right for a 1903A3 Remington, more like a B&S bolt.

[Bob in WA]

Rick

Is there a OG stamp on the left side in the middle of the butt stock. I have one from the DCM, but the stock does not look as dry as the one pictured. From estate sale, but sales receipt long gone. Mine as OG stamp and looks unused. SN about 68000 lower than one pictured.

[Rick the Librarian]

1. The extractor is indeed a replacement which I initially overlooked. It has some markings that I'll try to picture and post.

2. Remington did make very late bolts with "square" lugs - the bolt has a prominent (and legitimate) "R" under the bolt handle.

3. There is no OG (Ogden) Arsenal stamp, just a small RA-P which I believe is from the facility sending the rifle through DCM.

[Calfed]

Great looking A3, Rick.

[louis]

Very nice rifle

[Emri]

2. Remington did make very late bolts with "square" lugs - the bolt has a prominent (and legitimate) "R" under the bolt handle.

JB may correct me, but I believe the square lug Rem. bolts were made as replacements only and not used in production rifles.

FWIW,

Emri

[Jeff L]

Minty!

[Allen Humphrey]

Great looking rifle Rick. Your receiver has a late production thumb relief in the left rail much like the Smith Corona rifles. Near as I can tell, Remington changed from the very pronounced thumb relief at about 4,169,xxx. Despite the change, I've documented numerous receivers numbered beyond that point with the earlier design present. Probably not significant to value, but an interesting feature.

[Tom Doniphon]

Rick, what's the barrel date?

[Rick the Librarian]

12-43 - the last date of barrel that was used on production Remington M1903A3s (some say a few 1-44s were used).

[John Beard]

JB may correct me, but I believe the square lug Rem. bolts were made as replacements only and not used in production rifles.

FWIW,

Emri

JB will not correct you.

J.B.