Opinion Needed: Originality of Remington 03A3

[M100C]

Hi All,
This is my first post; if I post it wrong, my apologies in advance while I learn.

I picked up a Remington 03A3 a few weeks back. I bought it as a shooter grade gun for $445 w/o knowing much about these guns (I have Garands, and the correct MW/TE and headspace gauges, so I checked the gun, knew it was safe, and should be a good shooter). It had a mix of blued and parked parts which "looked right".

I have since had it apart, and all parts are marked with an "R" (see photos). The S/N and barrel date I believe align, also. I have included a link to a shared Google Drive folder with lots of pictures. Could you please review and comment? If you see any non-correct parts, can you please advise?

About the "US" stamped on the stock. I have seen posted here (and other forums) the meaning "unserviceable surplus". Why I ask? I understood it to mean "unserviced" surplus, or the gun was being sold/dispositioned in "as-is turn-in" condition. Is that not correct?

The gun shoots beautifully, so I think I am right by the price, but now I am wondering about the originality gun. As always, thanks for your time reviewing the photos and comments.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?...E0&usp=sharing

Chris

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[AFJon]

For some reason I can't get into see the pictures. Tells me I'm not logged in. Sound like you did well based on your description.

[Rick the Librarian]

Got into your pictures and the rifle looks substantially/completely original. For $445, you made out like a bandit! I'd guess the rifle to worth in the $1000 range.

Many of those very late Remington M1903A3s were manufactured after the need for them had largely disappeared and went straight into storage.

[Calif-Steve]

Looks right to me. Indeed, sold cheap and a keeper.

[polska]

Who sold you that for $445.00?

[Tom in N.J.]

I believe the "US" on the butt indicates that stock was on a rifle inspected for DCM sales, and graded "unserviceable sales". Most of the unserviceable rifles had defects of a minor nature, or had not been completely inspected. Serviceable rifles were marked "SS", "serviceable sales". Later they did away with those markings and ALL M1903A3s were sold as "unserviceable / safe to fire live ammunition". I have a similar marked stock on a M1903A3 that I know is not original to my rifle.

[M100C]

polska,
I bought it at a local Field & Stream:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8...nlFRXNBM2VoeTg

All,
There is more to the story. My daughter's boyfriend gave me a heads-up when the gun came in (he works there). The guy that brought it in said it was his father's gun from WWII, and he also had a Japanese rifle (Arisaka?) he took from a soldier he'd shot with the 03A3. He had no one to pass them to, and wanted someone to enjoy the gun. The store bought the 03A3, but passed on the Arisaka. I am going to see if the store will put me in touch with the original owner.

I had doubts about this all being true at the time I bought the gun (and, didn't care, as I headspaced and gauged the muzzle (+1.5) in the store, and expected it would shoot well), but then as I took it down, and looked at the authenticity of all the parts, it had me wondering if this was true!

If this gun was a "bring-back" gun, were they marked in any way? What might I look for?

[Tom in N.J.]

U.S. marked military property is the property of the U.S. Gov't unless you can show proof of lawful transfer of ownership.. 'bring back' = stolen. Import marked and DCM/CMP sales meets the criteria.

[Chuckindenver]

barrel date is a little weird...but other then that looks nice.
US unserviceable surplus
SS serviceable Surplus.

[Rick the Librarian]

About 95% of "I carried this rifle while in the military"-stories are just that - stories.