1903a3 identification...information

[Comanchero]

Another new guy here, with my first 03a3.
This site looks like it has a number of very well educated individuals in this arena, and since I am a babe in the woods when it comes to the 03a3 I thought maybe one or more of the more educated here might give me some help on telling me a bit about my first 03a3 rifle.

I will thank you in advance for any and all info you might be able to provide as far as what I have here.....hopefully enough pics are provided in order to give you something to work with. If there is anything else that might be of help, let me know and I will try to shoot a pic, or check it out if possible.

Click on the pic for a larger image:

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.

[Alkali]

Comanchero - This'n looks pretty good to me. It doesn't appear to have been issued out as there is no visible wear. The "OG" stamped on the butt indicates it passed through the Ogden UT arsenal at some after its manufacture; probably just stored and later inspected. The bolt is a spare part and the bolt shroud/safety is a unit manufactured by Smith-Corona. As made, the bolt would have been all Remington parts. The correct "R" parts are obtainable at no great expense.

[Neal Myers]

A nice looking rifle with sharp markings. Alkali is right about the bolt, but I'm not sure I would worry about finding the correct Remington parts; it's likely the bolt was replaced at Ogden, & that's just part of it's military history.

At the beginning of WW2, the M1 rifle had yet to prove itself in combat, so the War Dept contracted with Remington & Smith Corona to manufacture the 1903 rifle; to lower the price & speed production, changes were made & it morphed into the 1903A3 rifle. The markings on the left side are the "cartouches": RA - Remington Arms, crossed cannons - Defense Acceptance Seal, FJA - Frank J Atwood (military inspector). The markings on the bottom of the stock are factory inspector markings. The P on the grip is the proof marking.

[Calif-Steve]

You can buy new/mint Remington 03-A3 bolt bodies from Springfield Sporters. I suggest you buy 1-2 and try to find a buddy to headspace the correct bolt for you. A mint Remington bolt will look "right" in your rifle.

[Rick the Librarian]

Neal, not to be picky, but Frank J. Atwood was the commander of the Rochester Ordnance District and was not an inspector. M1 Garands were marked with the commander of the Springfield Armory, not inspectors' initials. High Standard was originally given contracts for M1903s - they passed along a lot of the work to Smith-Corona (although they supplied some of ther parts) and, by the the time SC got started, production had morphed into the M1903A3. Remington was picked by the British in 1940.

[Comanchero]

Should there be any real motivation for me to restore the bolt to the original Remington parts?

The story on this rifle is that an old woman whose husband had recently died, brought in a bunch of his firearms to a local law enforcement office and gave them to the department for disposal. One of the officers saw the 03a3 and took a liking to it. The department allowed him to purchase it for $1. The LEO then either gifted it or sold it to his nephew, and that is who I purchased it from.
If the story is true (who knows for sure), it is possible that the original owner got it as it currently is and this was sold to him in it's current configuration.

Thanks to all of you for your input so far.....I appreciate it!

[Alkali]

IMHO, you probably should go ahead and make the effort to obtain a completely correct Remington O3-A3 bolt for this rifle. They are still easily obtainable, but just might not be some years in the future. I very seldom change out any parts on any military rifle and only if it is very clear that I am making a correct improvement. Believe me, 20-30 years can fly by in a hurry and you (and the next owner) will eventually thank yourself for doing it while you can.

The existing bolt has some value and there is a Smith-Corona owner who is looking for that S-C bolt shroud right now for his rifle. Here is a good reference source example;

http://www.vishooter.net/m1903/rem_sc_fps.jpg

[John Beard]

I agree with Alkali. Since only the bolt assembly is incorrect, I would recommend restoring the rifle with a correct bolt. It would improve the rifle's appearance and increase its value. But, be aware that not just any Remington "R" marked parts would be correct. Remington made many design and manufacturing changes over the course of their production run. So, it's important to find the correct Remington parts with original finish which match your rifle's serial number. And if you need help in that regard, kindly email.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[broham]

Great looking rifle

[Brendan2324]

I need help identifying my Remington 1903a3. I have photos but don’t know how to post on here. I know the barrel and receiver are from may 1943