Sportered SC 03A3, barrel dated 2/42?

A few weeks ago I posted about a SC 03A3 that I have and was planning on converting to a 03A4gery, but had found that the reverse dovetail had been ground off. Readers offered some suggestions for restoring the reverse dovetail, but I decided getting a recovered drill rifle receiver might make more sense.

I was poking around on the auctions and found this instead. It arrived, along with a second rifle that I glommed, at my FFL today.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../4FDvNqE-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../xxZccvA-1.jpg

Description advised:

Smith Corona Model 03A3 .30-06 caliber, 24" barrel, S/N 36179xx, barrel dated SC 2-42. Original parkerized finish on the receiver and barrel. A new sporting stock added. Condition: Excellent.

I gave the rifle a quick once-over before it went into my FFL's safe for the obligatory 10-day "cooling off" period. It looks like the barrel is dated 2-42, which can't be. It also looked like it might have 6 grooves. The bore and metal looked in great shape.

Also, most importantly, it still has the reverse dovetail intact ;)

Nope, not a 2-42 barrel, a poorly-stamped 12-42 barrel as John Beard said on another forum.

Thanks, Rick

I didn't have a lot of time and will look it over more carefully when the 10 days have passed.

I brought my rifles home from the FFL today and looked them over.

The SC03A3 is in great condition for a sporter...and it definitely is a 6 groove.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7a4xjpg1-1.jpg

The metal is in great shape and the sporter stock is pretty nice too.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...PyABjpg1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7hUqjpg1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...a5wqjpg1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...BTfNjpg1-1.jpg

The barrel has an ever so faint "1" in front of the 2 42 on the SC barrel

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...MUMRjpg1-1.jpg

i normally don't like high comb stocks (hopefully that's the right term) or sporters, but that rifle is really beautiful.

Thanks, henry. I'm still torn whether or not to convert this to an 03A4gery. It does look great the way it is.

I wouldn't be too torn. Sport rifles are around. 1903A4s are a bit scarcer and very sexy looking...I think. Even a forgery for shooting purpose.

You could be right. I'm not a hunter, so have no real use for a sporter.

I could restore it, but it has the holes that were drilled for the Redfield sight.