New guy with a 1903a3 Smith Corona with a C stock

[Windage]

Hi, I'm new here.
I've been a firearms enthusiast for about 20 years now. I have always liked old guns (steel and wood with a set of good irons) better than new ones, but I don't have a collection. I have always ended up with newer firearms due to a hope of ever smaller groups at 100 yards. If you were to count up all the guns I have bought, and then sold to get another one that I "couldn't live without" through the years, well..... let's just say I've done alot of that. Of all rifles though, of any kind, my favorite by far is the 1903 springfield and it's variants. I've always had to admire them at a distance however due to not having enough green, and not wanting to buy one unless I found one I will never sell. Yesterday I found one (a 1903a3 Smith Corona with a C stock) that I just couldn't live without. Now, I will let you know right off the bat, it is not all correct, but I don't care because it is close enough by far for me. The rifling is in perfect condition, and the head space is good. Now, I do have a question if you don't mind my asking. The date on the barrel is 9- 18 and says SA. I thought it odd that there was such an old barrel on this 03a3 Smith Corona. The only thing I can figure is that it was a good barrel that they already had when the rifle was reworked at some point and so they just simply used it. I think it is of the 4 groove variety. Any thoughts?

Thanks and regards.

Information

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[Allen Humphrey]

Welcome Windage. I am not an expert or a true collector like some of the guys here, but rather more like you. As you noted, the barrel is clearly a replacement and probably ended up with the receiver in the manner that you described. I can't see any reason why it will not shoot great and give plenty of enjoyment. Is the rifle still in full military dress? It is not atypical to find 1903s with many "not correct" parts meaning simply there are components on the rifle that did not issue with it when it left the factory. They were often rebuilt and repaired during service life, and that continued in the civilian world.

The 1903 family of rifles have tons of history and I have really enjoyed learning from the contributors here. I can only hope your experience will be the same. Post a picture of the rifle if you have one. Nobody here EVER gets tired of looking at 1903s.

EDIT: after re-reading my post I just want to clarify that while many parts were replaced by the military, the barrel combination on your rifle would not have been done by the military. 1903 and 1903A3 barrels were not put on the "wrong" receivers to my knowledge.

[Rick the Librarian]

I agree with Allen ... the 1918 Springfield barrel was almost certainly installed by a previous civilian owner.

[Calif-Steve]

Highly unusual and highly suspect. Have you taken this rifle apart? Make sure the barrel is OK. Do get it out of the wood and do inspect the rifle closely.

[Windage]

Thanks for all the info. I eyeballed the barrel while I was at the shop and it looks to be in very nice condition. I guess that's what I thought was so strange. That old barrel made me wonder a little bit untill I saw what good shape it was in. The real concern I have with it right now is the bolt. Could not find the x that it should have on the handle. I can't remember off hand if it had that slight curve to it either. I don't want a low number bolt, but he has several and he will traid me for one if the one in it isn't right. I will be over at the shop tomorrow to put some more money down on it.... that is if it looks like a winner, and not a hanger.

Thanks again.

[Allen Humphrey]

Windage,
You are correct about looking for a swept handle bolt to ensure that it is not one of the older single heat treat models. Technically there are a small number of C8 and J5 straight handle double heat treat bolts, but stick to the swept handle. There are a bunch of "rebuild correct" bolts that would not be out of place on your rifle, in my opinion. Be sure to check headspace if you swap.

[Rick the Librarian]

I certainly wouldn't worry about a "correct" bolt, as you already have a non-standard barrel.

[Windage]

As far as collector value goes, I'm not overly worried about it being correct too much. I just want a military configured 1903a3 that will shoot well and look great to boot without blowing my face or hands off. So far, this rifle seems to be the ticket. I got another good look at it today. The head space is spot on and the rilfling looks good enough for hunting or even the accuracy game. The bolt is the swept one and, although the blueing isn't anything to get excited over, it's slicker than a baby fresh outa bath water. I'm still stumped as to why that older barrel, pretty as it is, was put on there but, I'm liking this rifle more every day.

Thanks again fellas for all the info.

[Rick the Librarian]

One possibility ... somebody maybe got a deal on a replacement barrel and he jumped on it. I admit I usually see the other combination - i.e. a M1903 with M1903A3 barrel. If you're just looking for a shooter, I don't see a problem, if everything checks out. I do hope you got a good deal. "Real" M1903A3s are still pretty common and relatively cheap in "shooter" condition.

[Windage]

I hope this rifle will just be the begining of a nice collection. One of these days I would love to get my hands on some "all correct" 1903's and 03a3's. I like the look and feel of the C stock on the one I'm getting, but I like the look of the straight grip ones way better. I would actually like to get a nice looking low number 1903 as long as everything checked out as original (not to shoot, just to have). Where are some good fishin holes on the web for finding these? Any hints would be greatly appreciated fellows.