Kindly requesting opinions on this 1903a3 up for auction

First of all, I am a new forum member (USAF, Maj) and want to extend my thanks to anyone willing to share their thoughts. I have a small collection of military surplus rifles and am always looking to learn. I am thinking about purchasing a 1903a3 and looking to educate myself.

Could someone please let me know if this Remington 1903a3 up for auction is legit? Price seems exorbitant but seemed like a nice rifle. I was thrown off on why the bolt was not assembled on the rifle and was wrapped separately. Other than that, from what you can see in the pictures, the cartouches and stock type seem correct for the serial number. Thanks again for your input!

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1003465783

The 1903 A3 Remington is a cheap knock out for the Springfield M1903. I think $2500 for a 100 percent grade would be reasonable.

That sure seems like a great rifle for a collector / investor who doesn’t plan on shooting it. I cant weigh in on if 3900 is reasonable or not. But for what it is worth I recently paid 1/2 that for a 99% condition (in terms of wear) all original Smith-Corona -A3 to add to my small WW2 USGI collection. This seems in the ball park with Fleurons-de=lys’ post. And I don't feel guilty shooting it occasionally.

If interested PM me and I’ll send you the contact info for the gentleman who’s searched and found for me several USGI small arms in great condition.

The rifle has been arsenal-overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts. And that is not the least bit unusual. Many of the rifles sold by the DCM had been arsenal-overhauled. The original box with shipping labels and packing material adds value to the rifle. But at $3900, I believe the rifle is a bit overpriced.

Good Luck!

J.B.

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Originally Posted by John Beard

The rifle has been arsenal-overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts. And that is not the least bit unusual. Many of the rifles sold by the DCM had been arsenal-overhauled. The original box with shipping labels and packing material adds value to the rifle. But at $3900, I believe the rifle is a bit overpriced.

Good Luck!

J.B.

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Thanks. I couldn't see a arsenal stamp on the left side of the stock pictured (to indicate it had been arsenal overhauled/reassembled). Would it be somewhere else on the stock or is it odd that there isn't a stamp?

At that asking price, the rifle and bolt should be detailed photographed. It like buying a pig in a poke without seeing it.

There were 4 of us that hunted together and we purchased a total of five 03A3's from the government through the DCM in 1960-62. They arrived (separately) at the local railway station where we picked them up and paid the freight charges. They were in boxes as shown in the above pictures but I don't remember if they were in cosmoline and VPI paper. We paid $14.50 + freight collect. One of mine was a Remington apparently new and unissued while the other was a Smith Corona re-barreled with a 2-groove Remington barrel and other mixed parts. So it's impossible to tell about the listed rifle with the sparse pictures provided. I have to agree with the "pig in a poke" reference mentioned. They were graded as "unclassified (as is)".

Thanks. And for my own education...from the albeit limited pictures, is it possible to tell what mixed parts were used? Or is that just logical assumption if it went through arsenal after ww2? Thanks again, I am learning a lot.

The arsenal-overhaul inspection stamp is likely elsewhere on the stock. Raritan Arsenal was a major overhaul facility. The large-bow trigger guard is an arsenal-overhaul replacement. The bolt also appears to be an arsenal-overhaul replacement. And I see probable evidence of refinish. The rifle is overpriced.

Good Luck!

J.B.

has a Smith Corona stock. for sure has been rebuilt, reparked ect, not new unissued. likely has an OG stamp on the stock someplace, bit steep for a price, also noticed the follower is installed backwards lol