A British Remington M1903 ...

[Mike D]

Glad you bumped it. Looks great. Wish I could find a deal/steal like that!

[Charlie]

"The only flaw is that it has a replacement handguard. You can see from the picture that the red band doesn't match up. The handgurd was replaced during British service. This was far from unusual".

Rick , I know for a fact that some of these mismatched handguards are a result of swapping around at Red Star. I have three of the Red Stars. Two were bought directly from Red Star and the third picked up from a private Party.

[Rick the Librarian]

If you're referring to mine, it didn't come from Red Star.

[Charlie]

I was refering to the Red Star 03's

[bigduke6]

The british proof marks (civillian), date from 1954-1989.

[MGMike]

That rifle came out of a lot that was imported by the old Golden State Arms company in California in 1956. That was the year I joined the NRA, got my first issue of The American Rifleman, saw the Golden State ad therein and ordered one. It was s/n 3019896, had British commercial proofs, just like the one shown, but with lightening cuts on the rear sight base. Condition about like new. Price was $50.00.

M

[Rick the Librarian]

I still kick myself about an early Remington M1903 in the 3,004,000 or 3,005,000 range, all original, I saw about 1972-73, for $50. I turned it down because "...it's not a real Springfield and it is too expensive"!!

[Nick Adams]

That rifle came out of a lot that was imported by the old Golden State Arms company in California in 1956. That was the year I joined the NRA, got my first issue of The American Rifleman, saw the Golden State ad therein and ordered one. It was s/n 3019896, had British commercial proofs, just like the one shown, but with lightening cuts on the rear sight base. Condition about like new. Price was $50.00.
M

Hi MGMike:

If you're referring to my "302" 1903 that's the basis for this thread, thanks for following up with that info. The serial number on yours is real close. Maybe it was in the serial-number range just below mine when they started omitting the lightening cuts on the receiver?

By the way, as far as I could determine from the gun shop people, the widow of the old gent that had it for so many years (kept it in his basement stored muzzle down next to several old Mausers) didn't reveal, and perhaps didn't know, where hubby purchased it from. It was just one of several long guns she'd brought in to "get rid of."

[Mentis]

I am new to milsurps.com, I have read many threads over the years when searching out information and research on the pieces I buy and trade.
In regard to this thread of British 1903 Remingtons, I would like to share my recent acquisition for comment and input from all knowledgeable members. This is a 3,053, range rifle with British proofs. No sign of red paint. Nearly perfect condition. I think it may be one of the lend-lease rifles that never was put to much use. It may also help fill in some blanks regarding serial # and date range along with modifications done during this period of the war. Any comments are welcome.

[Rick the Librarian]

Your rifle was one of those imported during the late 1950s and early 1960s from the UK. The markings on the fixed rear sight base are British export markings which were applied to nearly all firearms sent from the British Isles during that period. The export mark on the top of the bolt handle is a new one, however.

Although I can't see all of the parts and markings, the ones I can see make this look like an original rifle. The red band was often scrubbed off.