1903A3 I just found at friends home.

Hi, hope every one will enjoy this. I visited a friend who was recovering from surgery and was telling him about my 1918 mark 1 that I had been researching. He left room and came back with a 1903a3 that he had aquired 30+ years ago, from the widow of an aquaintance. It was still in cosmoline and was one of two her husband had gotten from an armory or cmp sale. It has been in his safe all this time and fired once for a couple of rounds. He was wondering what it was worth. So being a new member and far from an expert I thought I might share with those far more knowledgeable. There are R stamps on everything but the sight blade which is stamped C unfortunatly my pics of that were blurred. Also, maybe I get an idea where he can find a replacement for the racking swivel that was ground off or (I think it was). So hopefully these pictures tell the story. Any hints for a newbie on how to do this better will be appreciated.

Thanks Harry

the barrel was replaced just by the dates. But dont take my word lol I am new too I just looked it up 1942 was the reciver date and the barrel is 1943..

That is not a 1942 receiver serial number. Better look again.

Nice original 03A3 Harry.

The 'C' on the front sight is for the height of the sight blade and would be a correct marking.

Bill Ricca has the original replacement stacking swivel assys.
Bill Ricca's 03/03A3 Parts and Accessories

SN and barrel date match according to info on Vishooters page above.

I dont know much but heres were I got the dates the barrel says 43 and this came up with 42 for the reciever but like I said I dont know much lol

U.S. Military Dates of Manufacture here what the

The year of manufacture for serial number 4018811 is 1942.

Remington 1903A3 production started in 1942 at number 3348086. this is from the website on here

...is the DOB of 4018811. BBl is likely correct.
Chris

first 1903A3 to be delivered was Dec of 42, a while before that one was built.
Sept of 43 is likely the correct date , and the original barrel for that rifle,
looks pretty nice..

Daaaamn! Want want want!

I checked with the Remington Collector Society posting for 1903a3 on our forum site and it indicates a receiver date of aproximatly October of 1943. I beleive would correspond with the barrel dated a month prior. I remember reading a post from Rick the librarian indicating barrels can at times precede receiver dates by a couple of months. But as always I defer to those who may have more info. from another site that they can direct me to.
Thanks for comments.

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Originally Posted by redrumtc

I dont know much but heres were I got the dates the barrel says 43 and this came up with 42 for the reciever but like I said I dont know much lol

U.S. Military Dates of Manufacture here what the

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Oldguns, for some reason has the fact that ALL M1903A3s were made in "1942" and ALL Remington M1903s were "1941". Only a relative handful were manufactured in those respective years.

Use Vishooter's website - MUCH more accurate.

The rifle dates to about October, 1943 and the barrel is probably original.

maybe this rifle was at guadalcanal?

No South Pacific use. USMC carried '03's (not 03-A3's) into the fight and carried out Garands out of the fight. Quick learners these Marines.

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Originally Posted by Harry aka Cowboy

He was wondering what it was worth. So being a new member and far from an expert I thought I might share with

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about 700.00-750.00 assuming tight muzzle and bore being OK

Hugo Uno gives a good price. Add $100 if they can find the DCM (CMP wasn't around 'til the 90's) documentation.

These rifles originally went to NRA members for $20. So that's a 3750% appreciation over the past 50 years, even at $750!

Couple of added pictures for those who PMed me. Thanks for the comments and hope these answer the questions.

Hmm, saw some 03A3's in the miniseries "The Pacific" during the Guadalcanal sequences. Must be fact, I saw it on TV:rolleyes:

I too have been watching the Pacific. I also observed the 03A3's and although disappointed, I am far happier they are doing the job they are in telling the story that I find it totally forgivable. At least they used a bolt gun.
I just learned how to size my pics smaller and still have good pics so I replaced my originals in the opening post with new pics and added a few more now that I have more room for them.

My A3 is fairly close to yours (4081065) which also shows as a 1942 receiver. My barrel is dated 10/43.

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Originally Posted by Rick the Librarian

Oldguns, for some reason has the fact that ALL M1903A3s were made in "1942" and ALL Remington M1903s were "1941". Only a relative handful were manufactured in those respective years.

Use Vishooter's website - MUCH more accurate.

The rifle dates to about October, 1943 and the barrel is probably original.

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Rdavis I think if you go to Vishooters as Rick suggests you will find a wealth of info like i did. You will also find your rifle was actually built arounf Novermber 1943 based on the best estimates. It sure looks like you have an original barrel from the correct time frame. Rick is a great resource he has helped me immensly I hope this helps you so I can pay back a bit from what I have learned from Rick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry aka Cowboy

I checked with the Remington Collector Society posting for 1903a3 on our forum site and it indicates a receiver date of aproximatly October of 1943. I beleive would correspond with the barrel dated a month prior. I remember reading a post from Rick the librarian indicating barrels can at times precede receiver dates by a couple of months. But as always I defer to those who may have more info. from another site that they can direct me to.
Thanks for comments.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by chuckindenver

first 1903A3 to be delivered was Dec of 42, a while before that one was built.
Sept of 43 is likely the correct date , and the original barrel for that rifle,
looks pretty nice..

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rdavis

My A3 is fairly close to yours (4081065) which also shows as a 1942 receiver. My barrel is dated 10/43.

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I have #4066575 with a barrel date of 9-43 which I assume is correct as well.

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Originally Posted by Rdavis

My A3 is fairly close to yours (4081065) which also shows as a 1942 receiver. My barrel is dated 10/43.

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Nope - the source you are using is incorrect. Your receiver was serialized in Nov-Dec. 1943.