Help with new Remington 03a3

I just picked up this Remington and would like some help figuring everything out. I know more than the average person but not nearly enough to figure this one out. It seems to be 12-43 rifle and barrel based on the serial number. Most of the parts have the "r" stamp but not all. The one part that is most likely not Remington is the bolt. I've included some pics to get things rolling and hope I get a lot of feedback. One thing I'll start out with is the bolt/receiver finish. The receiver park. is far too nice to be original (I'm guessing), plus the follower is park'd green as well as the bolt itself.

Thanks to all who can help me figure this one out.

Attachment 51072Attachment 51073Attachment 51074Attachment 51075Attachment 51076Attachment 51077Attachment 51078Attachment 51079Attachment 51080

The bolt is a Smith-Corona replacement bolt. I'd doubt you'd have much trouble with a trade. Everything else looks kosher to me.

nothing really to figure out, looks like any rebuild rifle iv seen. mix of SC and Remington parts...not a bad rifle at all.

It's a rifle I'd personally like to own. Very nice.

Thanks all. What about the "SS" on the lower stock?

Serviceable Surplus.

So are we thinking it's most likely a DCM/CMP rifle?

DCM sales through the NRA.

The stock was made in Remington and inspected by Lt. Col. Frank J. Atwood. This gun was then reworked in the raritan armory which is probably why some parts don't match but keep in mind that a lot of these probably had mixed parts from the start. As for the finish, I wouldn't be surprised if it was original or from the rebuilding process. These guns were never really used in combat. Most were issued to stateside troops or other troops that were 2nd or 3rd line troops. The original m1903 was the one that was used in the beginning of the war but my the time the m1903a3s were rolling out of the factory, the m1 garand was already being issued to all the troops on the front line. Still great rifles with lots of history! I would say you have quite a nice example.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by surpman1911

The stock was made in Remington and inspected by Lt. Col. Frank J. Atwood. This gun was then reworked in the raritan armory which is probably why some parts don't match but keep in mind that a lot of these probably had mixed parts from the start. As for the finish, I wouldn't be surprised if it was original or from the rebuilding process. These guns were never really used in combat. Most were issued to stateside troops or other troops that were 2nd or 3rd line troops. The original m1903 was the one that was used in the beginning of the war but my the time the m1903a3s were rolling out of the factory, the m1 garand was already being issued to all the troops on the front line. Still great rifles with lots of history! I would say you have quite a nice example.

---

I don't see a Raritan Arsenal mark. Would you mind pointing it out. Thanks.

Jim

It is the RA marked by the FJA inspector mark. Here is a good website http://m1903.com/rbmarks.htm

Nope , that is the Remington Arms stamp put on all thier stocks when ( or shortly before or after ) S/C joined the party . I do not see any rebuild stamps on this rifle , but the pics arn't good enough to see if it's been refinished or if a stamp is there but not shown . All I can say for sure is the bolt's been switched , which could have happened anywhere .
Chris

rifle has been rebuilt, at least once.
metal has been reparked. bolt and other bits were replaced at that time..
RA is a Remington marking. SS is a common mark used at the time the DCM sold these rifles..
US is another mark..but one a person doesnt like to see...

Manufacturers did not mark their stock on the left hand side of the grip, rather, they put their mark on the end of the stock under the barrel. Nor did Remington take part in the rearsenaling process. When these rifles were first produced, the left side of the grip would only have one inspector stamp. A second stamp would be put if rearsensled which is what the RA mark is. RA stands for raritan arsenal not Remington arms. This is a common misunderstanding.

I think you are confused about the RA stamp. If it is on a stock that was originally on a Remington produced rifle, it stands for Remington Arms. If the RA ( usually with the -P ) is on a rebuilt rifle, it stands for Raritan Arsenal.

I read this on m1903.com but it could be wrong. I have never seen factory markings in that particular spot but then again I haven't been around 1903 Springfields much.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by surpman1911

It is the RA marked by the FJA inspector mark. Here is a good website Stock Rebuilding Marks

---

Surpman thanks for the reply but as others have mentioned the large "RA" in that location stands for Remington Arms. Interestingly the rifles specifications called for marking the stock withe the: Ordnance Escutcheon (Crossed cannon topped with flaming shell encircled with a cannoneers belt), and the Final Inspectors Stamp - in this case the FJA with or without a rectangular surround. BTW Col Atwood was in overall charge of contract manufacture for the entire Rochester Ordnance District which covered a number of industrial plants. Remington alone operated 20hours a day i believe six days a week. So the actual inspecting and stamping would have been done by a small army of enlisted men (or women) or their civilian counterparts who ultimately reported to Col. Atwood.

What's unclear Is why Remington felt it necessary to apply the RA? it was not called for in the specs and Smith Corona never stamped a similar mark. Clearly the markings on the receiver left no doubt as to who made the rifle. Another mystery!:dunno:

Regards,

Jim

S/C was not a gun mfg before this , and Remington knew that S/C's stocks would have the wheel and FJA mark . I don't think they had an inkling about the little sub stamps or minor cutting difference . Just like Ford's little "F" stamps and castings , they wanted to cover thier behinds if S/C produced a lot of bad stocks that the govt. wanted refunds on . This extra stamp was not added till after they knew S/C was on board.
Chris

Don't see a Raritan rebuild mark either, and Col. Frank J. Atwood did not inspect rifles at Remington Arms. His initials will be found on small arms and equipment manufactured in the Rochester Ordnance District, and indicate that they had passed all required inspections and had been accepted by his authority as the Commanding Officer.

Originals used a mix of parked and blued metal. I posted several photos trying to show an original finish.

Remington 1903A3 (displaying original configuration and finish)

It looks like a great rifle! I have another that's been rebuilt and it's my favorite shooter of all. SUPER accurate!

The "RA" mark was apparently applied by Remington to distinguish Remington manufactured stocks from the Smith Corona manufactured stocks. At least that's the way I heard it.

This is an original 03-A4 with the RA Remington Arms stamp.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3/eq6o3m-1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jakester

The "RA" mark was apparently applied by Remington to distinguish Remington manufactured stocks from the Smith Corona manufactured stocks. At least that's the way I heard it.

---

i believe the "RA" stamp was applied to complete, finished rifles not just the stocks. Besides Remington had sub-contracted much of it's stock manufacture to third parties like Keystone who place their own mark on the stock. Many rebuilt rifles are seen with the "K" marked Keystone stocks but without any of the factory stamps (RA, Ordnance Escutcheon, Final Inspectors Stamp) because the replacement stocks were installed somewhere other than Remington.

Regards,
Jim

Jim, you're right - I think the FJA and RA was the mark that the rifle had been accepted by the Ordnance Department.

I thought the Raritan mark was "RA-P" and the "RA" on my stock stood for Remington Arms? Didn't Atwood run the Rochester Armory?

Okay, I'll reply to my own reply. I didn't see page 2 and 3 of this thread before I replied to a previous comment, so everybody can ignore my reply.

If anybody needs to see specific photos of a specific part let me know and I'll get them posted.

Thought I should mention, I fully disassembled the rifle today and every part covered by the stock looked brand new. Also, almost every part is marked with the "R" for Remington (with the obvious exception of the Bolt. Even some of the bolt parts are Remington. It's my opinion that all of the finish of the rifle is original except the bolt and follower. The bolt and follower look parked, however they are a bit brighter green than the receiver, plus I believe the bolt should be blued and not park'd green.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by usmchog

I thought the Raritan mark was "RA-P" and the "RA" on my stock stood for Remington Arms? Didn't Atwood run the Rochester Armory?

---

Colonel Frank J. Atwood was the commanding officer of inspection and acceptance of the Rochester Ordnance District. This covered all small arms and equipment manufactured in his district.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emmagee1917

Nope , that is the Remington Arms stamp put on all thier stocks when ( or shortly before or after ) S/C joined the party . I do not see any rebuild stamps on this rifle , but the pics arn't good enough to see if it's been refinished or if a stamp is there but not shown . All I can say for sure is the bolt's been switched , which could have happened anywhere .
Chris

---

Just let me know what photos and angles you need and I'll get them posted.
Thanks

I am color recessive , so it's hard for me to tell finish in a pic if it's the least bit dark . All your rifle should be blued finish , except the reciever and safety which sould be parked . The A4 pic above is a good example of finish . All parts should have a " R " stamp , the rear swivel and both bands being assemblies so only one "R" on each. The triggerguard should be a big bow with a circled "R" on the rear of the mag box and straight lined aft the front screw rim . The buttplate should be fine checkered pattern . Sometimes a couple of parts will have the sub - contractors stamp ( it's "RP" IIRC ) instead of just an "R".
Chris

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emmagee1917

I am color recessive , so it's hard for me to tell finish in a pic if it's the least bit dark . All your rifle should be blued finish , except the reciever and safety which sould be parked . The A4 pic above is a good example of finish . All parts should have a " R " stamp , the rear swivel and both bands being assemblies so only one "R" on each. The triggerguard should be a big bow with a circled "R" on the rear of the mag box and straight lined aft the front screw rim . The buttplate should be fine checkered pattern . Sometimes a couple of parts will have the sub - contractors stamp ( it's "RP" IIRC ) instead of just an "R".
Chris

---

Great info, I'll look it over. I agree on the color aspect of photos, It's definitely difficult telling colors in a photo. I've actually got a pretty good camera with a good flash if need be. One thing I'll say for sure, the bolt has definitely been re-finished. In the right light, I can see the darker pigments of the bluing showing up through the oddly "lime" colored finish of the entire bolt assembly. Another funny thing to me is that someone felt the need to park (or Duracoat) the follower.

Thanks a bunch.