Rescued Two Bubbafied Remington 03A3 Types Lately

Well, as the title states, I recently rescued a couple of Remington 03A3 types that had seen the handiwork of Bubba. I didn't actively seek either one of these rifles, but found both just by casually "surfing" the internet.

The first, gotten in May, is a sporterized 1903A4, the real deal, S/N 3.411M, 3-44 barrel. I found it on a local Facebook classified ad page for $400. Bubba polish blued all the metal except the bolt, which is natural metal finish, and cut the barrel by 2 inches. It came in a Fajen stock, with a Tasco 3x9 scope. Luckily, it still has the original Redfield scope base and the original A4 bolt. I have been gathering the correct Remington-marked parts and only lack the funds right now (2 kids in college) to get a new USGI barrel to be able to start back to original configuration. I found a Weaver K2.5 with external knob adjustment and post reticle to substitute for the original scope, as well as some USGI-type horizontal split Redfield rings, and a USGI replacement C-stock.

The second, gotten in July, is a sporterized 1903A3, S/N 4.169M, 12-43 barrel. I found it on Gunbroker for $350 shipped, sold by a dealer who had bought an estate sale firearms lot and had no interest in milsurps. As far as I can tell, all Bubba did to this one was to cut down a USGI C-stock to an appearance similar to a 1903 NRA Sporter. The stock and handguard have been shortened to about 3 inches ahead of the middle band, and the butt shortened to accommodate a Pachmayr butt pad. When I broke it down, someone had stuffed and glued what appears to be fiberglass insulation into the stock underneath the barrel. First time I have seen this. Fortunately, I have an extra USGI Remington S-stock to put it in, and only need to get the missing stock metal, a handguard, and a few small Remington-marked parts to make it "correct". I am currently looking for a good used 1903A3 handguard if anyone has a spare.

I enjoy working on these, and marvel at the craftsmanship that went into their manufacture. It's a shame that so much of that talent no longer exists.