My 03A3 Story

I thought I would share how I came into possession of a Smith Corona M-03A3.

In 2010, my wife and I went on our honeymoon to Vladimir, Russia to do some mission work at an orphanage delivering some toys and medical equipment. It was a great trip, lots of hard work, and ultimately fulfilling. It was a fantastic friendship-building exercise for the entire group.

The husband of the organizer of our group passed away earlier this year. He was a good man, and will be sorely missed. He was also an avid gun collector. His wife knows that I am an avid shooter, and asked if I would accept one of her late husband's WWII rifles.

Humbly, I accepted.

This is the piece of history of which I am currently steward:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/110-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/115-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/113-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/114-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/116-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/117-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/118-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/119-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/120-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/121-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/09/122-1.jpg

Any information on the markings, history, deployment location, battlefield engagements, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for you time and effort.
-Chris

Nice story. I like the stewarship description as that is what I concider myself,a steward of my small collection and the history it represents.

That should be a great shooter unfortunately it has little collector value. It is also next to impossible to tell were it has been and what it has seen, but the story's it could tell.

Nice rifle, just a few things are incorrect "military issue". First is the rubber recoil pad, should be a metal plate. Second is the finish on the stock, I'll be polite because I have a term I use for this finish but it should be a Linseed oil finish and this appears to be Truoil. Good news is a least from the tang area forward the stock appears unsanded.The R stamped on the parts is for Remington.
My 2cs

One of those rifles that should be valued because of the gesture made in presenting it to you, rather than "dollars and cents".

Beautiful. Can we get a full view of it? It looks like the stock is sporterized too. The baseplate looks like it might be aftermarket, but I'm not sure. I'm not an expert. Just a lot different from mine. But maybe that's how Smith Corona did them. Mine is a remington and it's a stamping and looks a lot different.

Still is a great rifle and let us know how she shoots!!!!!