Question about 03a3 large triggerguard.

[class3jb]

Hi guys, Class3jb here. I'm new to the board and recently picked up a apparently original Remington 03a3. All the blued parts that should be are blue and everything is marked with a R. Serial number is 4029xxx and the 2 groove Remington marked barrel is dated 9-43. The stock has the small reinforcing pins and all the cartouches. My question is the r marked blue triggerguard is a large type and I'm not sure they were installed that early. Any help appreciated. Best regards, JB

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[Rick the Librarian]

A M1903A3 in the 4,029,000 range is not an "early" rifle, but made towards the end of production; a large-bow trigger guard would be correct. A stock with pins instead of bolts would most likely be a replacement, as by that time in production, they had switched back to stock bolts. What markings do you see on the stock?

[class3jb]

Thanks Rick for the reply on the left side above the trigger a rectangle with the letters FJA and a circle with crossed cannons in front of them. On the bottom Behind the trigger guard a large P in a circle. in front of the trigger guard 2 circles one with the number 60 in it and the other the number 62 and 1 square with the number 74 I think and 2 triangles both with the number 62. there are no other stamps on the stock. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, Best regards Jb

[Rick the Librarian]

Late Remington M1903A3s had stocks with a FJA (Frank J. Atwood, the commander of the district in which Remington was located) and RA (for Remington Arms). If your stock is missing the RA, you either have an early Remington stock or a Smith-Corona stock. Either would be a replacement.

[emmagee1917]

Check the front of the cut that the band retaining spring fits into . If it's square it's Remington , if rounded it's S/C . Still too early for your gun , but should be easy to trade for a correct one.
Chris

[Rick the Librarian]

The small markings forward of the trigger guard don't include a number in a diamond, so it is almost certainly an earlier Remington stock.

[class3jb]

Thanks everyone for the help. At some point I'll post pictures of the stock and maybe look for a trade. Best wishes JB. P.S. I also own another 03a3, a very clean 3500xxx Remington RAA rebuild mixmaster, 2 M1 carbines, both Korean war rebuilds and 2 M1 Garands. One is a 6 million Springfield and the other is a virtually unshot late HRA. Both garands are DCM guns. Thanks again.

[Alkali]

The small markings forward of the trigger guard don't include a number in a diamond, so it is almost certainly an earlier Remington stock.

I second Rick's conclusion on this one. ( Not that he needs moral support; just letting him know I always read his '03/03A3 posts.)
My son's Remington 03A3 is serial #3,519,000 range and has a 3/43 barrel date. The stock does have the "pins" as opposed to the "bolts", small triggerguard, and does not have the RA mark.

[jerrbear]

Rick, I have a SC in a Remington stock with stock pins that is stamped RA. Do you have a serial number range for that as I want to trade for a SC stock if I can find one. It does have the winter trigger guard.

[Rick the Librarian]

It isn't stamped RA-P is it? I have heard there was some "transition" in the changeover from stocks with the earlier features.