Recently Acquired 1903A3 Smith Corona

[GySgt USMC]

I recently had an opportunity to pick up what I think is a nice 1903A3 Smith Corona. It definitely needed a good cleaning as it was loaded with cosmoline,grease, dirt etc.
It cleaned up rather nicely I believe. I currently have it taken down to complete a data sheet on it, and its turning out thus far to be nice complete SC.
Previous owner stated it came from CMP North store quite some time ago. Rifle Serial N0# 08-43' and Smith Corona Barrell 07-43'

Here is a link to the photo's after I cleaned her up: 1903A3 Smith Corona - Imgur

Comments & Thoughts welcomed .....

Semper Fi ...

Information

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[NRA]

Love it! Thanks for sharing.

[ABPOS]

Great pictures!!!! How does she shoot. Where did you get that sling? I need one of those front sight protectors for mine.

[GySgt USMC]

Thanks for the comments guys...

I am still working on completing the data sheet on it, and havnt gotten it out to the range yet,
I will give a report back on how she does...

Front Sight Covers are found on most web sites, ebay, GB, others not hard to find.

The Kerr sling is nice made reproduction that I found in a local show some time back
they can be found on line from time to time as well.

[Dad]

Reproduction Kerr No-Buckle sling for M1903:
What Price Glory - US Kerr No-Buckl Sling for M1903

Reproduction Kerr No-Buckle sling for M1917:
What Price Glory - US Kerr No-Buckl Sling for M1917

D.

[Neal Myers]

If it came from the CMP store, "some time ago" would have been the 1990's. And, that would make a "Greek return". It appears mostly original; obviously the hand guard is a replacement. The wood on many Greek returns was ruined by cosmoline saturation, which is pretty much impossible to fix. You got a nice one.

Neal

[Rick the Librarian]

The Greek returns were sold from 2002 to about 2006, actually. There were some "lottery" M1903s sold through the CMP in the mid- to late 1990s IIRC.

[GySgt USMC]

Thanks Neal and Rick appreciate the info

I've completed the data sheet and its all Smith Corona, granted the top hand guard is a replacement.
I do have a USGI walnut top guard for it that I am finishing and will work on fitting it to the rifle for more
a stock match. 4 groove Bore is really nice on this one...

Its doing a fine job at the range, and I am pleased with it ...

[Jerome Cooper]

I have a Smith-Corona since the late 1980's that appears to be either not issued or hardly handled much;all the original parkerizing appears unworn. The serial number is in the 4,7+ mil range. I don't know how high the numbers actually went before production stopped. The only marking on the stock is the cartouche or inspectors mark which is an oblong with an eagle?, in it with 3 stars in a row over it. Anyone have any info on this marking/cartouche/inspector's mark? J. Cooper

[GySgt USMC]

I recently contacted CMP and they have confirmed that it is a CMP rifle.
Authenticating Document is being mailed from CMP ...