NEW 03A3 Rifles

[Cosine26]

There were some NEW (presumably unissued) 03A3 rifles sold through the DCM in 1947. During WWII there was an excise tax on the sale of new firearms so the DCM was required to differentiate between New and USED, This is post is from from the October 1947 American Rifleman. I have no idea how many were sold and how many survived in NEW condition
FWIW

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Information

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[pickax]

Very interesting, thanks.
I didn't know you could purchase one of each model under the "one per year" rule.
Also like the ammo price!

[Cosine26]

This came out in 1946. The price of the M2 .22's had increased. The were not offered again until 1957 when I bought mine for $30.00

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FWIW

[Cosine26]

The data above is from January 1946 AR

As I understand (with no documentation other than American Rifleman magazine articles) The M1917 had been declared prior to WWII and was being sold at practically give way prices after WWI. It was partially resurrected from the dead during WWII and a fairly large stock existed. My State Guard Company was issue “new” M1917’s in 1943. The M1903 was declared obsolete in 1945 and sold at fairly low prices. The 03A3 was still an item of issue in early 1946. By June 46 the 03A3 became substitute standard, as there was a plethora of M1’s and no war was imminent (little did we know) so the 03A3 was offered for sale. As late as 1957 replacement 03A3 barrels (2 or 4 groove) listed for $26 while 4 groove SA M1903 barrels, were $5.30 with both sight bases. In the late 1960’s the 03A3 was sold as “unclassified” for ~$14.00. The one I received was a SC 03A3 with a 4 groove barrel and looked new. 03A3 barrel were price at $0.99 and other parts were sold at give way prices.
FWIW

[Cosine26]

This was published in the October 1960 issue of the American Rifleman and was the last ad I saw published.
03A3Sept60 - Imgur