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Legacy Member
John,
Did you note the matching last four digits scribed on the top of the bolt handle? As Brian stated it appears to be a Greek return albeit with a nice as rebuilt finish.
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09-02-2019 12:44 PM
# ADS
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Advisory Panel
Cosine26, You'd better read my post again.
I'll stick to my statement that the OP's rifle is a Greek return, just like mine. At any rate, he's flown the coop. Nuff said!
Brian
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Contributing Member
The Greeks seem to have had a lot of US aid Brian, I assume it was Marshall Plan related?
Obviously with a provisor they had to be returned.
I had a suncorite painted Garand years ago, rough as nails, I always assumed that was ex Greek service, as I hear a good number were poorly stored.
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Deceased May 2nd, 2020
Brian Dick
My apologies, I just reread your post'
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Deceased May 2nd, 2020
I do not want to use the term “mint” but at one time there were some NEW 03A3 Rifles available through the DCM. The Army was required to separate these as there was an 11% excise tax on all new firearms during WWII. After the excise tax was rescinded, the terms were either serviceable or unserviceable. In the final sell off of 03A3 rifles they were sold as “unclassified”.
Here is an excerpt from the October 1947 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Magazine:
https://imgur.com/okQT8UL\
FWIW
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Contributing Member
There were lots of No.4's sent to the Greeks from
Canada too. I imported a couple hundred in 2001 that were former Greek Army Reserve issue. All very nice and well looked after except for handling marks on the woodwork, but with no distinct Greek ownership markings other than the odd sticker on the butt with the name and address of the troop to whom issued. The
CMP Springfields had stock patches and repairs that spoke to me because it was obvious the Armourers had been trained by the
British and Commonwealth. Some also had the black dip finish, (whatever it is). You seldom see handguards repaired on U.S. weapons because they just tossed them in the bin and installed a new one. Not so elsewhere where parts and pieces were at a premium. Anyhow, they had lots of character. My favorite shooter is a Springfield with a 5-30 barrel, in it's original SA C stock with original cartouches still intact and a San Antonio Arsenal rebuild stamp.
Interesting stuff, as ever Brian. Your 1903 sounds like a beauty, my A4 build is fitted with a late war "big belly" Keystone C stock, much fuller in profile than the earlier C stocks and not as nice to shoot in my opinion.
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Advisory Panel
The wood had more than it's fair share of handling marks. It also sports the Greek black finish. I seldom sand woodwork but since my CMP purchases are not for resale, I decided to clean up the battered wood and although it still has some deep handling marks, the figure in the wood is lovely and I did stay off the markings so it turned out pretty nice. I was lucky to have a correct nickel steel bolt body so I installed it but that's the only changes I made. It's a presentable rifle with a LOT of history and shoots good too. Well worth the $450 that CMP was asking for them at the time. I ordered two with C stocks, the other is a RIA with a wartime Keystone like yours and I just lucked out on the other one. I also ordered two straight stocks, one a RIA and the other a Springfield plus the Remington 1903A3.
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Deceased May 2nd, 2020
Here is more 03A3 Sales Info
Imgur: The magic of the Internet
FWIW
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the black finish on Greek returns is black oxide {hot salts blue} done over the old finish.
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