Late production Rem 03.

[nashorn]

Hi, I desperately need some help with a restoration project. I have a Rem. made m1903 And need a milled trigger guard so I am told. When bought, it came with a stamped 03a3 trigger guard assembly and stamped 03a3 bands. And a 03a3 stock which was trashed. I want to restore it. In one book I read, I learned it was one of the last 50, 03's made before going to 03a3 production. Did they use 03a3 parts on 03 guns in a transition of the changeover? I have heard yes and no, please help me.

Information

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[m1903rifle]

Stamped parts were definitely used on the last Remington M1903 rifles , but I am not sure at what serial number they started. The serial number of your rifle and pictures would be of help to the forum experts

[nashorn]

Hi, That is what I thought. The serial number is 33649xx and it has a RA 1-43 barrell on it. Cannot post pics at this time but is is a very nice action. Any other help would be greatly appreciated. I can get all the correct milled "R" marked parts except the milled trigger guard and all the correct stamped parts. I just need to know which way to go.

[Rick the Librarian]

There is a very good chance the rifle you have had a stamped trigger guard and several other stamped parts. Thetrigger guard would be the "early" variety. The 1-43 barrel is very uncommon. Most of the ones I have seen had 12-42 RA barrels.

[nashorn]

I will go with the stamped triggerguard then, that is what it came with also had the a3 buttplate, upper and lower bands and an 03a3 stock with a 03 upper handguard. Got it from a dealer who said he got it in the 70's from the DCM, the way he sold it to me. Is this what Joe Poyer referred to in his book as a M1903 Modified ?

[John Beard]

Hi, That is what I thought. The serial number is 33649xx and it has a RA 1-43 barrell on it. Cannot post pics at this time but is is a very nice action. Any other help would be greatly appreciated. I can get all the correct milled "R" marked parts except the milled trigger guard and all the correct stamped parts. I just need to know which way to go.

Rick is correct. Your real late Remington '03 would have stamped parts to include:

Trigger guard
Buttplate
Butt swivel
Magazine Follower
Lower band & swivel
Lower band retaining spring

The stock would be an '03-A3 style. The upper band would be milled.

All Remington rifles from beginning of production were identified as "modified". Poyer is misinformed.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

One thing that always bugs me about Poyer's book is how he comes up with a specific number -- 133,444 Remington M1903s and 214,641 Modifieds. I know he claims he got these figures from Brophy and Campbell, but who the heck did the counting, given what we now know about the process of production (not to mention the incorrect use of terms)?

[nashorn]

Thanks guy's for putting me on the right track. I have everything to put her together as you described, even the milled upper band. Just need to get a 03a3 stock and an 03a3 stamped lower band, the one I had was in bad shape. I will see Bill Ricca at the next gunshow for one. Thanks again, Mike.