03a3

I picked up a Remington 03A3 and would like to know if its 100% original.

Smith-Corona bolt? Looks that way. Heavily sanded stock. No other comments.

It's been through the San Antonio Arsenal ( SAA-A cartouche and P firing proof in a square) and has had at least a check and test. Bolt is from one of the contractors that produced parts for the 03/03-A3's, so is not a Remington. In my experience, very few came out with the same parts that they went in there with.

I have an A3 that is very close to yours as far as production date and also has a 9-43 dated barrel:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_1542XL-1.jpg

This is what the stamps on a Remington stock look like. The cartouches on the side are faint, because at some point someone felt the need to sand it. This stock went through the check and test program at the Rock Island Armory (faint RIA in a box in front of the cutoff). Stamped behind the stock bolt are, in order; RA, crossed cannon ordnance stamp and FJA in a square box. All the parts on it are Remington.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_1543XL-1.jpg

Inspectors stamps.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_1611XL-1.jpg

Firing proof
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_1612XL-1.jpg

Remington marked bolt
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_1541XL-1.jpg

Bayonet lug.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_1615XL-1.jpg

While yours may not be 100% original, it still looks like a nice rifle. If the small parts that don't match bother you, they can be replaced with the correct Remington marked ones.

I would leave it alone as it has it's own history.

no, it is not 100% original.

Attachment 39584Attachment 39583How can I tell if the bolt is from a different rifle? it does have the letter "R" in the same place as the other pictured. Also what would I need to change to make it "correct"? Are there any other items other than the stock that are in need of changing? I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks

---------- Post added at 05:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:44 PM ----------

I compared my rifle with the other pictured and the letter "R" is in all the same places. The only differences I can see are the stock and the number 8 on the bolt handle. I am just learning about the 03 so all the help and opinions are appreciated.

This is my Other Springfield. If it had not been drilled and tapped I would consider trying to have it put back to the way it was originally.Attachment 39586Attachment 39585

308-- Wow! Has the barrel on the sporter been cut? The rifle looks like a great candidate for an 03a4 clone. It is already drilled and tapped and has the Redfield mount. If the barrel hasn't been shortened it would make a great sniper project. Salt Flat

I don't think the barrel has been cut. There are dimples on the end where the front sight was. It has been polished and the date is no longer there. It has a 2 groove barrel. I had thought about a sniper clone but have not had time to check in to it. I bought it a few months ago for $200 and it shoots good. I would like to know more about the 03 rifles but I have not had time to do any reading. Is there a good book about the Springfield 03 rifles?

The bolt body is a Rem, but I don't think original. It seems those ones marked with an "8" or "3" on top are sub-contract bolts, but I'm likely wrong. :lol:

The finish on the bolt and receiver are not original. Don't know if the flash mucked it up or what, but it looks like some cold blue may be involved.

You did not show a photo of the trigger guard. Compare yours to the other shown in photo.

Canfields "Illustrated Guide" to the '03 is a good starter book. You can get Brophy's book for about $50 now, well worth it. Just don't buy Poyers book for $20. Not even worth a dime.

Mike

Here is a picture of the trigger guard. I was wondering about the color. I am needing to find a sight hood and was wondering about the color. I did more looking and I see "R" on many of the parts. Thanks for the advice on the books. I will look for one.Attachment 39587

Bolt should be black, yours is parkerized, not original. Not a Smith-Corona bolt, either as it is a Remington bolt.

Is it worth restoring to the way it should be or just leave it alone and enjoy it? The guy I bought it from said his Uncle bought it in the 1950's. I thought he said his Uncle paid $18 for it. I picked it up and 2 Browning auto 5 shotguns as part of a trade. I have about $1000 invested in the 3 guns. The Gunsmith I use for my projects can do a great job of parkerizing and his fees are not bad at all.

Mike, I think the Remington bolt is not a sub-contract one - I do believe the number identifies it to mid-production, if I remember what John Beard told me once.

the 8 marked bolts were made by across machine.
being completely parkerized says its been rebuilt at least once.
only the receiver, barrel rear sight base, and safety lever should be parked, the rest should be blued.

I took the 03A3 out and fired 3 rounds through it to see how it shot. I was very suprised with the accuracy. The 180 grain round nose fed and shot great! I might have to shoot a deer with it next season. If you guys want to hear a sad story, my Grandfather was in WW2 and he had a thing for picking up guns. He carried an 03A4 sniper rifle for a while in the back of a truck he was driving. He said it got really beat up bouncing around. He wanted to send it home but no U.S. weapons could be sent home. He did manage to send several Mausers, a Drilling and even a Luger pistol home. Until last year he still hunted deer with one of the Mausers. My Grandfather is on the left side of the "table" 3rd from the front.