Another 03A4 Restoration Project

[Mosby]

It seems I am in the same boat as CALFED. I spending my in CA ten day wait purgatory trying to gather parts etc for this project (SN 3410768). I have no images as of yet. In my case though the whole rifle has been blued and the barrel cut. I have a line on a 9/43 NOS RA Barrel which I'll probably pick up. I am kind of concerned finding a proper fitting stock and hardware, but hopefully I'll get lucky. I posted my "needs" in the WTB section all over the place so I'll see what pops up.

So my question is can anyone recommend a person who does "re-parkerizing" of necessary parts?

Thanks,
Earl

[Jim Tarleton]

Chuckindenver. He does a great job and a fast turnaround, and his rates are very reasonable.

Jim

[Mosby]

Thanks, I just learned of his services this morning, from a gentleman I purchased my stock, handguards and hardware from.

Mosby

[Mosby]

Hopefully these come up. Overall I am pretty happy with the "raw" material for a restoration. The scope is a Weaver K4, while the base is of unknown (to me) manufacture. The bolt looks good and the trigger guard is milled. Everything I can identify is marked with R. I have it in a A4 stock now with a 9/43 barrel waiting in the wings. I just couldn't help myself, I had to try the stock out and fire a few rounds out in the "back forty". I keep you all up to date as this progresses..

Thanks,


http://http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/th_DSC00567.jpg (http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/?action=view&current=DSC00567.jpg)

http://http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/th_DSC00577-1.jpg (http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/?action=view&current=DSC00577-1.jpg)

http://http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/th_DSC00573-1.jpg (http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/?action=view&current=DSC00573-1.jpg)

http://http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/th_DSC00570-1.jpg (http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/?action=view&current=DSC00570-1.jpg)

http://http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/th_DSC00567-1.jpg (http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/?action=view&current=DSC00567-1.jpg)


http://http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/th_DSC00565-1.jpg (http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/?action=view&current=DSC00565-1.jpg)

http://http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/th_BoltII.jpg (http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/Mosby01/?action=view&current=BoltII.jpg)

[chuckindenver]

based on the pictures youv shown.
bolt looks correct, extractor is not.{03}
safety is aftermarket, and belongs in the trash..dangerous.
cocking rod, incorrect. [03]
follower and floor plate, incorrect. [03]
id bet the trigger guard is also an 03 not an A3.
scope as you know is not GI, nor the rings.
cant see the muzzle so i dont know if its cut down.
that rifle really needs a restoration, and done correctly.
a great start to a nice rifle.

[Mosby]

Thanks for the observations, and what I believe to be a original 4 groove barrel was cut. I have NOS 9/43 2-groove waiting in the wings.

As for the trigger guard should it be stamped instead of milled?. The trigger guard configuration is correct for a 6/43 build, meaning it is not enlarged for gloved fingers? The floor plate is marked R so I just assumed it was A3.

For the rest of the parts you listed should be just "plain jane" Remington A3, nothing special. I have a WWII 03 Mark 1 rebuild, so maybe some of those parts are A3? I didn't realize they were that interchangeable, learn something new everyday. Is there a web based resource which I can see the difference in A3_03 parts? I am thinking Vi's Shooters maybe.

I was also wondering about the safety it has no markings whatsoever, hence a 'what the heck is this". This also applies to the scope base.

As to doing it correctly, it will have to be a methodical process. First I need to buy a correct safety. Then is just a matter of buying or trading for the A3 parts once I get a better handle on what I am looking for. I really do not need misc 03 parts floating around. It would too much temptation to find a 03 to match the parts. I'll look today and price the needed parts and make a decision on which way to roll.

The correct repark/ bluing and barrel swap will come next. The scope, scope base and rings will be last due to the cost at this point. Unless I get blind stupid lucky and stumble across them at a extremely reasonable price.

[chuckindenver]

i have all but the stock to make that rifle correct.
not cheap, but i have them, i may have the correct barrel as well.
should be a stamped trigger guard.
check out Vishooters page for pictures of A3 vs 03 parts.
scope base is correct, and likely original.

[Mosby]

chuckindenver,

I realize this maybe hard to tell from the pictures, but has the receiver looks blued? The barrel has been blued when cut down. I just assumed they blued the receiver and scope base.

You are also correct the trigger guard and floor plate should be a one piece stamped unit w/tab. I am still trying to find out what the A3/A4 magazine spring and follower are supposed to look like.

Please PM me with a cost for your parts.

Thanks,
Mosby

[chuckindenver]

you can reach me direct at molinenorski@msn.com

[JackT]

I have an 03A4 scant stock if anyone is interested. JT

[Socrates43]

New member here also restoring an 03a4 receiver that I recently picked up. Looking for a few parts such as the blued upper band, bayonet lug and a trigger guard with the correct pad. Can anyone suggest a reasonable source?

Also interested in finding an original 03a4 stock either C or scant, and info about anyone who could duplicate the original type of bluing on my bolt.