New 03A3 Rifles

[Cosine26]

There has been some discussion about the availibility of NEW 03A3 rifles. The army through the DCM did sell some new 03A3's in 1947. Because of the war time excise tax, these rifles had to be segregated between new and used. The new rifles required the excise tax while the used rifles did not. I am adding some pictures of the advertisements.



In this advertisement, the requirement to pay the excise tax is annotated. Also note that it is indicfated that no more 03A3 rifles were avaiable. This is corrected in the November ad to indicate that no more 1903A1's not 03A3's



Here is the corrected ad.

In early 1946 NEW 1903A1's were advertised; however, this was later corrected to indicate that these were reconditioned rifles. In late 1946, the DCM indicated that no rifles were available. By 1957 03A3's were advertised in Serviceable ($30.00) condition and unserviceable ($15.00) condition. A small number of M1 and M2 .22'a were also adverised at serviceable or unserviceable at the same prices with no choice between M1 or M2.
I ordered and receive a servicable M2 and an unservicable 03A3. The M2 was in great shape, the 03A3 not so much.
By 1960, the army through the DCM was selling the 03A3's as UNCLASSIFIED for $14.50. I ordered and receive what appeared to be a NEW condition- Smith Corona.
The possiblity of finding as new 03A3 (unmolested) exists, but the probability is small in my opinion.
FWIW

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