New Remington 03A3

[BarnacleBill]

Greetings to all.

This forum is a wealth of information, so I may have a rebarreled rifle. I just picked up a Remington 03A3, Receiver is 34614XX, 2-groove Barrel is dated RA 11-43. I understand the receiver should be about Feb 43, so it may be rebarreled.

The rifle has all correct Remington parts, what parts that should be blued are all blued, receiver and barrel are parkerized. The wear on the rifle seems pretty even.

Only two marks on the straight stock: faint boxed FJA back behind the cut-off, left side, normal place, and a circle "P" below the trigger guard. Stock has what appears to be brass pins through the stock for reinforcing, one close to the bolt handle, and one close to the forward action screw. Small Remington sub-inspection marks (4 ea) are ahead of the front magazine screw underside of the stock. Faint circle on the end of the stock under the barrel. No other markings can be seen on the stock.

I would have thought a rebarreled rifle would have an arsenal rework stamp? Any ideas? Many thanks for all for the help.

Information

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[Arisaka99]

Are you sure it is not 1-43 or 11-42??

[BarnacleBill]

Are you sure it is not 1-43 or 11-42??

Unfortunately, I am totally positive that it is 11-43. Upon further examination, the barrel is a much nicer and darker parkerizing than the receiver. It has to be a re-barrel.

I had no chance to disassemble the rifle until after I bought it, but when I did, I was relieved to find that it was not a recovered drill rifle at all. Examining the cut-off area for signs of welding, at the shop, I did not see anything out of the ordinary.

All of the screw heads (except the two action screws) look like they were never messed with or removed. Gotta love that. As soon as "my" camera is back from my oldest daughter's vacation, I'll snap some photos.

[dukeofdata]

Your receiver is March, 1943. See here: http://vishooter.home.att.net/ra_serialization.txt
(Month END Serial Numbers)

It appears the rifle should most likely have a 1 or 2 /43 barrel.

[Arisaka99]

Might have been one of the veterans organization rifles that had a bad bore from blank use... subsequent owner re-barrelled and brought back to life? Sounds like a nice looking rifle and shooter!

[RICKSR]

Can You Send Pictures Please And Price. Thanks,rick Sr.

[John Beard]

The most probable explanation for your rifle, based on your description, is that it was re-barreled by Bubba gunsmith.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Chuckindenver]

The most probable explanation for your rifle, based on your description, is that it was re-barreled by Bubba gunsmith.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

Bubba gunsmith?? do to a replacement barrel? explain.

any one who replaces a barrel other then the Gov, is now a Bubba??

[John Beard]

Anyone who takes a very nice original '03-A3 and replaces the barrel for whatever reason is a Bubba, but not necessarily the professional gunsmith who was paid to do the work.

Just my 2c worth. And the number$ will support it! And the number$ don't lie.

J.B.

p.s.,

If the rifle has been arsenal overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts, then re-barreling can be justified if necessary.

[Chuckindenver]

so,
if a gunsmith rebarrels a rifle that has a shot out, damaged, or ruined barrel, and does the job right, its still a bubba job?
however.
if the same guy had a job for the military, and did a half azzed job, barrel out of index, or to deap of ream on the finish, its ok being done by the military??
that just doesnt add up.
personally.
i have repaired 1903,s that had been rebuilt by the military, and found.
over, under indexed barrels.
under and over reamed chambers, effecting headspace.
poorly installed rear sight bases, and other rear sight damage.
bent screws, cracked stocks, bent front sights, and the list goes on and on.
all done by military.
that being said, ill be proud to carry the bubba gunsmith name tag..
and if done right, how in the world could one tell if i did it, or the military did it.??