Correct stock for Remington made 1903a3

[Clay]

Today I picked up a very nice Remington made 1903A3, 9-43 barrel date, serial number corresponds with this as well. This rifle came from an early DCM group according to the guy I bought it from.

The rifle appears to be 90% all original, with everything Remington marked, but the only thing Im not sure about is the stock and handguards.

For one the stock has no cartouche markings on it. The handguards dont match the finish on the stock. The handguard is has a shine to it while the stock itself is dull. The underside of the handguard does have the last three digits of the serial number written on it in pencil though.

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I guess my question is what do I look for on the stock that might tip me off, AND more importantly, if I were to replace the stock with a correct one, what is the correct stock for a 09/1943 manufactured Remington made 1903A3?

thanks!
Clay

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[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

It appears to me to be the correct stock. Albeit, it may have been sanded and refinished at one time. Any mark under the cut off?

[John Beard]

Your rifle has been arsenal-overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts. I am unable to determine who made the stock. Please provide pictures of the opposite side and perhaps I can identify it.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Today I picked up a very nice Remington made 1903A3, 9-43 barrel date, serial number corresponds with this as well. This rifle came from an early DCM group according to the guy I bought it from.

The rifle appears to be 90% all original, with everything Remington marked, but the only thing Im not sure about is the stock and handguards.

I guess my question is what do I look for on the stock that might tip me off, AND more importantly, if I were to replace the stock with a correct one, what is the correct stock for a 09/1943 manufactured Remington made 1903A3?

thanks!
Clay

Clay,

Sadly, John Beard is 100% correct in every respect.

Original 03A3's were made up from a distinct mix of a distinctly known parked finish, and blued parts. The 03A3 you purchased is an assembly of parts that have all been through an arsenal rebuild and all parts refinished with a later park. You are correct that the stock probably came along later and the hand guard doesn't match it. They were most likely put together with the other parts at some time.

Regardless, it's not a collectable grade 03A3, but will make a great shooter if it's in good condition.

Was it sold to you as a collectable grade? Did you know the seller?

[Clay]

oh no no guys, not sold as a collector grade at all. Just a nice looking shooter. The previous owner (the one I bought it from) got it from an early DCM auction years ago, and he used it to shoot in a local 1903 specific high power matches. So he took it out once or twice a year and thats it. I wish I had some gauges, but I can say its got a super nice clean bore, and everything just looks to be in excellent shape. Im personally not much into 'collector grade' rifles, because thats when I get scared to shoot them. I wanted something for WWII shoots, and thats what I got.

Now, Im just now getting on the 1903 train, so I dont know much about them. Ive looked over all of the parts and making an assumption on my part, almost everything I can find on the rifle has an "R" stamped into it, which Im assuming means Remington.

Someone asked about the end of the stock where its cut off, there is a mark in the end, but its not complete. It looks like it could be a "3", maybe a "B", or even an "R", but its only half there, like when it was stamped they didnt have the stamp flat on the wood.

SO, what are the signs its an aresenal rebuild? I have no doubt that it is coming from DCM. Is the finish the primary tip off? that green/grey park color Im guessing? Everything is that color except for the bolt, which is either a dark park or a dirty blue.

[Rick the Librarian]

From your pictures (and I realize that sometimes a flash distorts the appearance of the finish), the rifle appears to be an overall gray. Most original M1903A3s had a dark gray or gray/green parkerized receiver and barrel, with most other parts being a blue/black. Your rifle appears to have few if any parts this blue/black. If correct, that indicates a refinish.

[Clay]

Well, Im not with the rifle right now, but I believe you are correct about everything being an overall grey. These pictures were from the previous owner.

I tell you what, John wanted pictures of the opposite side of the stock, and I want better pictures of some details as well. Tonight Ill take some better pictures of the overall rifle, as well as pictures of the bands, stock, some markings on the trigger/mag (which has the last 3 of the serial number written on the inside in pencil), etc.

thanks everyone!
clay