Early RA M1903-A3 in details

[Chuckindenver]

i dissagree...
the most replaced part on an A3 is the bayonet lug, and the trigger guard.
the bayonet lug stripps easy, and or got trashed during training..
every early A3 iv handled has had a blue bayonet lug.
the trigger guards were bent easy, and cracked behind the front guard screw.
how many times do you thing these rfles were taken apart during basic training, or regular service?
how many time have you stripped or found a stripped A3 bayonet lug??
id say a good 50% of the A3,s have buggered screw holes, some worse then others.
anyone who,s tried to install a new bayonet lug on an A3 can tell you what a bear that screw is to get in the hole just right for it to catch.
doesnt it seem od that the rest of your rifle has blued parts and the only part thats parked is the bayonet lug??they were made by the same company in the same plant.

[HowdyDoody]

Nice rifle, Garandrew. I have 03-A3 #3372037 that came from DCM in 1963. It has the same front sight as yours-2 piece base, pin in dovetail. Bbl date RA 7-42. No sign of any cuts for the 03 rear sight base on barrel.

It came from DCM with a scant grip stock and large bow triggerguard. All bands are gray, rear sight assy. and bolt are blue.

Hope some of this info is useful.

Jim

[David]

John:

The serial of my rifle is 3386416 so I was a little off and so I now provide the full number. Thanks for the information on the bayonet lug but I still have to wonder about the three piece front sight not being correct on both of the rifles mentioned in this stream of messages.

Also, I still have a bunch of new replacement 03-A3 barrels bought way back from the old DCM (something like .98 each) and they all have the two piece A3 front sight assembly and some of the dates run quite late.

So, like a lot of this stuff, there's always more to learn and in the end we may agree or agree to disagree but it's still fun.

David

[John Beard]

John:

The serial of my rifle is 3386416 so I was a little off and so I now provide the full number. Thanks for the information on the bayonet lug but I still have to wonder about the three piece front sight not being correct on both of the rifles mentioned in this stream of messages.

Also, I still have a bunch of new replacement 03-A3 barrels bought way back from the old DCM (something like .98 each) and they all have the two piece A3 front sight assembly and some of the dates run quite late.

So, like a lot of this stuff, there's always more to learn and in the end we may agree or agree to disagree but it's still fun.

David

Perhaps I was not clear. The 3-piece front sight is indeed totally correct for your rifle (with revised serial number) and Garandrew's rifle.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Garandrew]

David our rifles are very similiar. Does yours have the earlier unboxed FJA cartouche without the RA to the left of the ordnance symbol?
Are there any letters stamped into the side of the stock, near the buttplate, like US?
Andy

[David]

Andy:

Indeed, they seem to be very much alike in nearly every aspect.

The stock is, of course a pinned one, on the left side is the ordnance symbol, a boxed FJA and no other markings such as the RA or any other marks on the butt area. The Circled P along with a W is present behind the trigger guard and the usual mix of Remington sub inspectors marks ahead of the guard. The tip of the stock has an ordnance bomb. No other external marks that I can see.

The rifle came to me out of a family that had it for many years and has a nice WW2 vintage 1907 sling with steel parts and a brass oiler in the butt.

I had been looking for an early 03A3 for some time that had escaped the rebuild process and was very pleased to find this one locally at an extremely good price.

David

[Vi Shooter]

John,

Would my SN 3518619 be more appropriately adorned with an olive or a blued bayonet band? I have both on hand.

I might add that the olive band was on the rifle when I bought it. I put a blued band on because I was told that would more correct at the time.

[John Beard]

John,

Would my SN 3518619 be more appropriately adorned with an olive or a blued bayonet band? I have both on hand.

I might add that the olive band was on the rifle when I bought it. I put a blued band on because I was told that would more correct at the time.

Here are some data harvested from original or mostly original rifles:

S/N 3490611 - Parkerized bayonet band
S/N 3506719 - Parkerized bayonet band
S/N 3511156 - Parkerized bayonet band
S/N 3518619 - Your rifle
S/N 3518749 - Parkerized bayonet band
S/N 3524323 - Parkerized bayonet band
S/N 3532351 - Parkerized bayonet band

Does this answer your question?

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[xarmor]

Would a very early (Jan 43 barrel) A4 have the parkerized front band also?

[Garandrew]

Mine has the parked band..thats what sparked this thread..with the front sight. My barrel is 1-43 Andy