I have a few 1903A4 questions for the experts

[RBruce]

I recently purchased a 1903A4 (markings are in the correct location). The SN range is 3409172. The barrel is RA 12-43, two-grooved. Both receiver and barrel are the common gray/green pakerizing. It has not been reparked (IMHO). All marked parts are marked R. The stock has the correct markings forward of the trigger guard. It came in a CMP box, but with no paperwork. Questions:
1. What shade of parkerizing should the bolt have? bolt shroud? striker rod?
2. What shade of parkerizing should the buttplate have?
3. What shade of parkerizing should the bands have?
4. Is the barrel correct for the SN?
5. What type of 7/8" rings were used with the Lyman Alaskan (top split or two piece)? And, when were the two types of 7/8" rings used?
6. What value range would this piece fall in (wood and metal, including bore, are excellent)?
This is a lot of information to be asking for, and I do apprecieate any comments that can be provided. --RBruce

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Embalmer]

I can answer the bolt, bands, and buttplate should all be blued..

Rings I got standard split top one piece rings.

sure someone else will chime in about barrel dates...

[Bobinmich]

I have 3409655 with a 4 groove barrel dated 3-43. It is an arsenal rebuild and has a parkerized bolt. I would suspect your barrel is a replacement.

[Mike Haas]

I recently purchased a 1903A4 (markings are in the correct location). The SN range is 3409172. The barrel is RA 12-43, two-grooved. Both receiver and barrel are the common gray/green pakerizing. It has not been reparked (IMHO). All marked parts are marked R. The stock has the correct markings forward of the trigger guard. It came in a CMP box, but with no paperwork. Questions:
1. What shade of parkerizing should the bolt have? bolt shroud? striker rod?
2. What shade of parkerizing should the buttplate have?
3. What shade of parkerizing should the bands have?
4. Is the barrel correct for the SN?
5. What type of 7/8" rings were used with the Lyman Alaskan (top split or two piece)? And, when were the two types of 7/8" rings used?
6. What value range would this piece fall in (wood and metal, including bore, are excellent)?
This is a lot of information to be asking for, and I do apprecieate any comments that can be provided. --RBruce

RBruce - Pistures would help but here's some general info.

All Stock metal should be blued including triggerguard, follower and bolt and certain other bolt parts.

Serial # 3,409,172 is an early 03-A4 circa 4/43 or 5/43 and should most likely have a barrel dated plus or minus 3 months from that date. (2/43 to 8/43) - Since yours has a 12/43 it's likely a replacement unless you posted a Typo on the date
ViShooter has several Rifles near your Serial # with 12/43 barrels but the info is in-conclusive.
Your receiver/Barrel may be original. No way to determine that without more info.
Provide pictures and you'll get lots of info

[Chuckindenver]

only the reciever, barrel, scope base, rings, and safety should be parkerized, the rest should be blue.

[JGaynor]

I recently purchased a 1903A4 (markings are in the correct location). The SN range is 3409172. The barrel is RA 12-43, two-grooved. Both receiver and barrel are the common gray/green pakerizing. It has not been reparked (IMHO). All marked parts are marked R. The stock has the correct markings forward of the trigger guard. It came in a CMP box, but with no paperwork. Questions:
1. What shade of parkerizing should the bolt have? bolt shroud? striker rod?
2. What shade of parkerizing should the buttplate have?
3. What shade of parkerizing should the bands have?
4. Is the barrel correct for the SN?
5. What type of 7/8" rings were used with the Lyman Alaskan (top split or two piece)? And, when were the two types of 7/8" rings used?
6. What value range would this piece fall in (wood and metal, including bore, are excellent)?
This is a lot of information to be asking for, and I do apprecieate any comments that can be provided. --RBruce

1. Originally A4 bolts, bolt sleeves and firing pins were blued. Rebuilt rifles are commonly seen refinished in a light to medium gray parkerized finish. Long term storage in cosmoline may cause a greenish brown "grunge" on the surface.
2. see 1. above.
3. see 1. above.
4. No. - Rifle # 3409172 originally would have had a 4 groove barrel dating from January to April 1943. The majority of rifles in that range have either Feb or March dated barrels.
5. A few thousand sets of the 7/8" top split rings were reportedly ordered for planned installation of the M73 (Lyman Alaskan) on the A4. Unfortunately the M73 could not be delivered in time for use on the A4 so the orders were cancelled. Some M73's were delivered later and used on the M1C. In the mid 50's ordnance authorized any remaining M73's, as well as M81's and M82's (Alaskans with a sunshade and rubber eyepiece), for use on the A4 on an "exhaust" basis.
The primary scope remained the M73B1 witth the M84 as an approved alternate.
So if you were trying to illustrate "what might have been" in WW2 - top split rings.
Later than that either top split or horizontally split rings are OK.
6. Value questions are very subjective. The first thing you want to do is email or call the CMP and find out of the rifle passed thru their hands. Many were sold off thru the DCM over the years but I don't believe it's possible to verify those - CMP will probably be able to tell you.
Your rifle was not listed on the 1999 CMP inventory which included about 200~ rifles nor has it been sold at a CMP auction as far as I know. But having the paperwork is important so it's definitely worth a call.
If you can post pictures we may be able give you a better idea on value.

Following is a guide to taking pictures of an A4. The more the better but the areas shown in the boxes should be considered the minimum.



Hope this helps!

Regards,

Jim

[RBruce]

Jim and all, thank you. I planned to purchase the replacement paperwork from CMP. I will also post some photos shortly. again thanks. --RBruce