New to the 1903a3 markings & Photos -help me understand what I am looking for/at

[robertc]

Thank you all in advanced... I have done all the research I can do with my limited knowledge of the 1903a3. - read hundreds of forum posts and google searches.


I inherited this gun, and am very happy to learn more about the 1903a3 family. Personally I am an armature gun collector and more of a shooter. My wife and I love to hit the range with our pistols and do a bit of rife shooting too. - our daughter is a little over a month old and already has a pink 22 in the safe...


Below are some photos I took of barrel marking, bolt marketings and ect..

I understand a lot of these rifles where "sportrized" and the key is having original parts. I looked the serial number up and seems to be Aug-September 1943

Bolt has an R


Barrel as all kinds of marks

Stock defiantly looks aftermarket... The one thing I can not stand is it was professional taped and drilled for a rail!?! what professional would let someone do that to a fine collector rifle!

What else do I need to look at? Also can anyone give me a market value on this fine looking rifle.


Again that you all for your information, wisdom and knowledge!

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.

[Neal Myers]

You are correct, your rifle has been sporterized. Sadly, there are too many irreversible alterations to "restore" it. Many small parts will be stamped R. indicating that they were made by Remington. Bishop made commercial sporting stocks for many years, & that is what you have installed. In addition to drilling & tapping the holes for the scope mount, the bolt handle has been altered so that it won't hit the scope. The barrel has been polished & blued. It was originally parkerized:


In the 1950's & 1960's, these rifles were common & inexpensive, whereas commercial hunting rifles were relatively expensive. So, MANY folks sporterized milsurps so that they would be able to hunt without spending a lot of money. When I finish my time machine, I will go back & put a tag on every milsurp rifle, "DO NOT ALTER. Some day this will be collectible."

I would expect your rifle to sell in the $200-250 range. But, it would be a good candidate for building a 1903A4-clone.

[Johnny Peppers]

It is a Remington 03-A3 that has been sporterized, and the Bishop stock fits the time frame of the 1960's. At that time there was little collector interest in the rifles, and even the NRA put out a booklet on how to sporterize your new NRA/DCM purchase rifle. By drilling and tapping for a scope, altering the bolt, and installing a sporter stock it made a nice inexpensive hunting rifle of that time period.

[robertc]

Well that is a bummer, I know it had a few altercations but I did not know it would take away so much value.

I was figuring the value around 450 - 600 --- guess I was way off. Going to take it to a gunsmith for a second opinion if it is fire safe. Looks to be in great condition but would like to be sure.

[JGaynor]

It could still make a dandy hunting or casual shooting rifle. Was there a scope on it when you got it? Any body in the family recall how well it shot?
At least, if you choose to do so, you can refinish and customize it with impunity.

Regards,
Jim

"If life hands you a lemon make lemonade"

[Mike D]

Slap a scope and base on it or make an A4 wannabe out of it. Lots of fun, either way!

[robertc]

Unfortunately I inherited from a family friend and have no clue how well it shoots. I will be test firing it after I bore sight it, clean and oil it, and take it to the gun smith for a second look for safety concerns. After that I might put it up for trade or for sale.- has little to no sentimental value and would rather something a bit newer for a brush gun. HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN RUGER'S ALL AMERICA RIFLE!!! $360 - super cheap and a darn good shooter from what I read.

[Ridolpho]

Anyone know the significance of the markings on robertc's 6th photo? I have a star-form like that on my 03A3 barrel and the hooklike thing resembles the Egyptian script on a "Citadel" Martini I own. Even a sporterized gun can retain some very interesting features as I found out when I posted pic's of a sporterized Ross a while ago.

Ridolpho

[noelekal]

While the collectors' value is greatly impaired, it sure doesn't keep the rifle from being a first-rate bolt-action .30-06 sporter! The 1903 in any variation is one slick, smooth feeding action and an '03A3 is a good sturdy variation. I could live the rest of my life with bolt action sporters built on 98 Mausers or 1903s and be deliriously happy. Well...gotta include pre-64 Winchester Model 70s too.

[RBruce]

My advice to you, Robert C, is to keep it as it is. Find an "old" Redfield Jr mount (not the new Chinese made ones), and put a vintage Weaver scope on it. Have fun plinking or hunting. Leupold, Burris and other made scope mounts for the 03A3. Just make sure that the already drilled holes line up. Cheers -- Robert B