Assembly of my 1903A3 C Stock Clone

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

This is probably my 1st post over here, as I'm usually wasting time on that other site! I posted this over there as well, but started to think it may or may not be more appreciated over here.
I wanted a C stocked 1903 A3 for some time, but couldn't find one this side of the border. So after purchasing a sporterized 03 that wasn't too butchered, I set to building one on a Boyds stock. Things got down right messy when my basement flooded out last April, so this project got put on hold half way through. Finally completed this week here are some of the pics of the assembly.

Here's how it started out:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210046.jpg

Some pics of the initial fitting:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210057.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210056.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210055.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210055.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210058.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210070.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210068.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P3210068.jpg

The Boyds stock was pretty much finished & only required minimal sanding. The hand guard that was originally going to be used got swapped out with an original. When it came to the tung oil finish I was using, I couldn't get a decent colour match to the 1st one. So in hast I grabbed a donor from another A3 that needed work & with a bit of Min Wax stain as tint, got a better match. During the assembly I started swapping out some of the original hardware that I was going to use for this rifle with other Remington stamped parts that I had at hand. The swivel bands & some of the screws are courtesy of a couple different companies out of the U.S. Here are a couple of pics half way through.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P1240106.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P1240106.jpg

After a bit of swearing, I finally came to the realization. That although not totally perfect, none probably were. As the factories churned these rifles out as fast & as cheaply as they could to support the war effort. Here are some more pics of the completed rifle with final notes bellow:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250005.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250006.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250007.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250011.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250011.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250013.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250022.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh315/danceswithempties/P2250028.jpg

The inspector cartouche was Lt. Col. Waldemar Broberg an ordnance inspector from 1941 to 1942. Intentionally marked incorrectly, as to not having it past off as an original to a collector if it ever leaves my hands. Boyds stamp that was in the barrel channel of the stock was also left on. The stock has been stamped with the inspector mark, ordnance wheel, flaming bomb and a proof mark behind the trigger guard. It is my understanding that some of these rifles were built with C stocks initially during production, but scant stocks were used soon there after. Another cost saving measure I presume. Most of the C stock A3 were built from arsenal refurbs for non active use or competition after the war. A side note: I used Sunwax for the final polish with minimal fuse & was quite happy with the results. You can find it at Rona Hardware stores, but it isn't cheap! Anyhow I've probably rambled on for long enough & haven't told you anything new. Hope you enjoyed it. -Dances

[Stevo]

Nice. Does the Boyd's stock match the original stock profile?

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

The Stock is a little longer than a S stock, but I think the original was as well. I have an A4 clone I purchased about a year ago & I suspect that may be a Boyds stock as well, but I'm not a 100% sure. The Boyds stock matched pretty much spot on with the hand guard & the assembly of the action in the stock was dirt easy. The spring retainer hole for the back swivel band was drilled perfectly in the right spot, as well the drilled holes for the forward band, butt plate & trigger guard. Not having a known original to compare it to is a problem, but I'd say it's got to be close to perfect.

[Polock]

You did a great job on the rifle! I especially like the way the stock turned out--the cartouches are a nice touch. Also, love the nice green receiver/front band.

Used to be one could find 03 and/or 03/A3 sporters that were correct as far as metal was concerned & could be restored fairly easily/cheaply. NOt anymore, at least that I have seen--

[irishsteve]

Looks super.You really did rescue this rifle.Sporter stock is scary.Something to think about if you havent shot it yet.You might want to releave the area around the rear receiver tag a bit.On the CMP forum one of the guys with a new C stock put his together tight in this area,and the recoil chipped the top of the wrist.If you have a original rifle to look at it will give you an idea of how much they beveled the upper edge away from the tag.

[xarmor]

Very nice job. Takes some serious skill and patience to bring a rifle back to its former glory!

[chuckindenver]

ok, i have to ask, why the Winchester WB on the side? why not FJA RA??
looks like Boyds is getting better, they still need to open up the back area of the tang, thats a safety area for the stock.

[Droodog127]

Nice job on the new wood, I do like the two-tone sporter though!

[rborecky]

the stock is fake and know amount of playing wiht the samping will fix that. I coold easily make that stamp look real and remove the boyds markings. fake is fake and thats fact!

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Looks super.You really did rescue this rifle.Sporter stock is scary.Something to think about if you havent shot it yet.You might want to releave the area around the rear receiver tag a bit.On the CMP forum one of the guys with a new C stock put his together tight in this area,and the recoil chipped the top of the wrist.If you have a original rifle to look at it will give you an idea of how much they beveled the upper edge away from the tag.

Thanks for the info. I will check it out on my days off & let you know what I have to do & how much to relieve it.

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

ok, i have to ask, why the Winchester WB on the side? why not FJA RA??
looks like Boyds is getting better, they still need to open up the back area of the tang, thats a safety area for the stock.

My info has it as a Springfield inspector stamp (will find the name on the bottom of my original post). I did this to show a representation of the mark, but for anyone who knows 03A3's that it is not an original stock. I've seen too many B.S. artists trying to pull off their stuff as original & ask top dollar. Personally, it ticks me off, but to each their own. I built this rifle for myself, but as all things, when it leaves my hands in the condition it is in now, there will be no mistaking the stock. As it stands now, their are a lot of FJA / RA stocks that are not original as well, as the stamps were at one time available. With a bit of practice, I dare say I could have made the FJA / RA marks, but chose not to. My advice towards Springfield purchases north & south of the border: "If it looks too good to be true, it's probably not".

[chuckindenver]

you need about 1/16 gap behind the tang, also.
before you shoot, install a rear tang bushing, you will damage the stock if its not used.
with a standard GI issued bushing, trim 1/8 off and install.

[sdh1911]

Hey, great looking job, The Keystone stocks were somewhat thicker than S.A. or R.A. and that looks very close to the keystone, still a tad wider in some areas. I did notice the stock lugs are in the wrong direction, thats a nice detail to keep it an honest reproduction. Any and I mean ANY high end collector can tell a re-pro, if they can't they are playing in the wrong ball field. There are very pronounced production sequences that must be there, if not its a rep. If I were in the market for a shooter, I would do exactly as you've done, by the way the original stamp is a vee bottom, hmm-SDH:D

[A square 10]

thats a nice looking restoration , the rifle looks to have deserved the rescue , congrats - nice job

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Hey, great looking job, The Keystone stocks were somewhat thicker than S.A. or R.A. and that looks very close to the keystone, still a tad wider in some areas. I did notice the stock lugs are in the wrong direction, thats a nice detail to keep it an honest reproduction. Any and I mean ANY high end collector can tell a re-pro, if they can't they are playing in the wrong ball field. There are very pronounced production sequences that must be there, if not its a rep. If I were in the market for a shooter, I would do exactly as you've done, by the way the original stamp is a vee bottom, hmm-SDH:D

I believe the stock bolts are indeed in the right direction, but you did make me look:D. I just went and eye balled the inspector stamp. It has a v cut on the raised portions of the face. So any mix up of the appearance; I'll knock that one up to my ham fisted strike on the stock. A high end collector, I am not. But eventually I would like to have all shootable representations in my collection.
My interest in 03's started back in my early 20's when my father, a World War II vet with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. During his training in Winnipeg he had stated that he had watch an American rifle squad (maybe a team?) shooting with a great deal of accuracy at great distances. The actual distances I won't quote because I simply don't remember. So instead of my deceased father or I being labeled as B.S.er's, I'll leave that up to your imagination...

[chuckindenver]

the stock bolts are indeed, in correct.

[sdh1911]

Very strange, I have several pre-war 03's from good sources that have the opposite direction. I collected Springfields from the mid 1970's to 1993 when I had to sell of the collection because #2 son came down with spinal meningitis while having no insurance at the time. It cost me over 160 rifles, but, when all was said and done all the bills were paid and I still had a son and 3 1903 rifles. I'm not sure of the lug direction in war time guns, my apologies, if you wait a second I'll see if I can get the other foot in my mouth. The only reason I even looked at it was bask when they were affordable I would check and see the lug head on the right side looking for a #2 which indicated the gun was a DCM issued N.M. rifle and if correct it has the #2 on the lug, a number 64012 stamped on the base of the barrel with a star gauge number at the top, center of the barrel. There are exceptions to all rules this is not in stone because over the years DCM guns mated with the Military issued and things became a wee bit confusing. Sorry for being so long winded, I still love them, I just can't afford them anymore-SDH

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Here in Canada, I know things can get really confusing with the 'non military' 03's. More than one gunsmith has told me stories of counterfeit star gauged barrels & NRA target rifles being built to spec... I think that's why I'm not so worked up on pedigree. If the rifle was properly papered, odds are I could not afford it, or at least not the number I have now. My interest at this time is to have a 'correct as possible' collection. If its a rifle I assemble, I will try to use a tell tale mark if it uses aftermarket pieces. But I'll still try to put it together correctly.

[chuckindenver]

a true NRA Sporter is easy to spot, serial number ranger first, the receiver face edge at the top with be rounded, and only above the wood line.
the star gauge number is different on every rifle done, the number stamped on the crossbolt in the stock, is the subinspectors mark from the company that made the bolt, and has nothing to do with it being a NM or stargauged rifle.
NM rifles have some things that make them a NM, most, true NM rifles were in fact built with a grasping groove stock, and not a C-stock, the C-stock wasnt really used mutch till after 1925, though some examples of a 1903A1 NM made in 1922 are out in the world,
in my opinion a true 1903A1 would be serial number 1million2 and above.
to make it more confusing, they made alot of variations of the NM style rifles, and standard service rifles could be star guaged as well.
the fact that the rifle shown in the pictures he posted is a 1903A3 tells me its not a NM the 1903A3 NM is a strange bird to say the least, they were done with straight grip stocks, and a redfield sight mounted on the left, and did nt use a star guaged barrel, as the tools were not used after 1939, all A3 barrel were airguaged.
the single bolt stock on my 1903 RIA has the stock bolt right to left, cant get much more pre war then that.
maybe the pictures you see are transposed, as thats a common issue on the net and in pictures in books and magazines.
id have to look, but maybe the M1917 Enfield has the bolts facing right to left, but then id have to open my safe and move a bunch a stuff.

[sdh1911]

One of the rifles I have left is a 1934 C stock that was "issued" not a WW II rebuild but a genuine issued C stock w/o the A3 sight cut, marked circle P and SPG. When I was selling off, many folks offered ridiculous amounts of money for it but, I wanted to keep if if I could and did, I also kept a 1912 as issued and a N.M. prototype sniper, stolen I mean removed from Ft. Benning in the late 1940's by a lt. Col. from a local town. Its one of those things that looks like ET to most folks, but, is a beauty in my eyes. They only thing I've purchased lately is an Elmer Keith inspected A3 in near mint condition, kinda common but shoots better than most that I've shot. When looking at 1903 N.M.s bevery careful of inspector S.D.H. there are over 60 of them in circulation, built as representative rigs with all correct components. I supplied a card with them and used my initials because there is no S.D.H. inspector, just me. I saw one come up in an auction in Maine and called the Auctioneer and explained he had a rep rig and he informed me I was full of nasty stuff, he suckered some poor dude for $3,200.00. If I could have driven to that auction I would have, but, thats just the way it goes I suppose. These days I use different DM#s, my initials and a stock # under the stamping. Its real hard to miss that if you know what your looking for and only build them on specific request, HTH-SDH

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

I had seven of my rifles on display last weekend. Funny how most people who don't know a whole lot about 03's just gravitate towards the shiny stuff, but others were more impressed with a few of the originals I had there. Displayed an 03 Sprgfld, 2 03 Sprgfld MK I's (1 original & 1 arsenal refinished), an 03 Rem, 2 A3's (this was one) & an A4 clone correctly assembled. Talk to a couple of people & it seem to generate a good deal of interest, as they are not as common up here. A few offers to buy, but no one was serious & I wasn't to keen to sell.

[skeet1]

It is so refreshing to see an old milsurp return to the way they should look instead of going the other way.

Skeet1

[Dollar Bill]

Nice work. Gives me hope. I'm starting, basically, the same project. I bought a sporterized 1903A3 20 years ago. Finally have the time and money to get the project going. Found an unused 2 groove barrel and bought a C stock from CMP. They're not listed under stocks for sale, but after emailing them about an A3 handguard, they told me they would be available thru the E store around Feb 1. Shure enough, there they are. I think they may be Boyd's stocks with the CMP cartouche.

Anyway, yours looks great and should be a good shooter (my goal). Thanks to the rest of you guys with the tip about relieving the lug are!

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Thank You, Nurmirch, Boyds & Northridge have provided me with a lot parts over the years & without them willing to ship here to Canada some of my projects would still be half completed. The CMP is an excellent organization, I just wish they'd let Canucks join...
We have our own version of the NRA with the CSSA & NFA, but nothing like the Civilian Marksmanship Program over here. Too Bad, but they'd be selling us Enfields instead of Springfields anyhow...:p

[sdh1911]

The 03's are still fairly easy to be had in these parts if you have a solid cash flow, the average 03 is bringing what a N.M used to bring and now they call anything with a star gauge barrel a natioanl match, god forbid you suggest its not an N.M. despite the Mk1 action, man I feel old when I think back at what I once owned, but, ike they say hind sight is perfect-SDH

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

As it stands I may see the finished metal this Spring for my next project: An A1 clone built on a 1918 action saved from the sporterized world. Actually all that remained when I purchased it was a turned downed barrel, (that had been drilled and tapped???), with a ramp sight, a stripped & polished bolt and a receiver that had been cut for an aftermarket safety. I know truly, I am a sucker for punishment; but what can I do? Can't find it, build it!