My M1903A3 from 1943

I purchased this a couple of months ago along with an M1 Garand. The eighty year old gentleman had it for 25 years and fired it only five shots. The rifle was full of grease. I used a hair dryer to sweat it out of the stock and then applied a few coats of tung oil.
The barrel is in excellent shape and dated Sept. 1943. The receiver is Oct. 1943.
The scant grip stock is a replacement. There is an R on the left side of the trigger, bolt handle, bolt, and front sight, but not on the rear sight. An A is stamped for the height of the front sight blade.
One of the pics looking down the tube has a Bill Bentz USMC sight cover, one right side also. The other sight cover shots are show an unissued Remington.
When I first got it I went to a 100 yd range, and after a little bore cleaning, fired 1 MOA with some good factory ammo.
My first time with the pics.

Why the tape over the last 3 1/2 digits of the serial number when we all know the number is 3993677 ??? :D
n any case nice rifle. I like the USMC sight cover a need to get one. There is one on G.B. with a bid of $ 65.00 and a buy it now of $ 85.00. To much for me but I would like to pick one up.

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Originally Posted by Joe W

Why the tape over the last 3 1/2 digits of the serial number when we all know the number is 3993677 ??? :D
n any case nice rifle. I like the USMC sight cover a need to get one. There is one on G.B. with a bid of $ 65.00 and a buy it now of $ 85.00. To much for me but I would like to pick one up.

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Every time I see a SN it's partially covered. I don't really see the reason. Just thought that was the protocol. I guess I need not worry or cover it in all the photos.
I could not find the USMC hood that you just leave on, so I got one from Bill Bentz who makes them according to spec. It's a big help on a sunny day.

Some people don't like to reveal the entire serial number for security reasons. The usual explanation is that someone sees the whole number and claims that it belongs to them and was stolen. In the 15+ years that I've been active on the Internet, the legitimate times this has happened (and been verified) I could put on the fingers of one hand (and have several fingers left over).

I've listed the whole serial number on every firearms I've posted pictures for an equal time and have never had a problem.

The rifle doesn't look like a DCM sales rifle. Hard to tell where it has been, but is a nice pick up, for sure.

Nice photos thanks for posting them.

Last photo shows the last 4 of the serial # engraved on top of the bolt handle??

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Originally Posted by Mike Haas

Last photo shows the last 4 of the serial # engraved on top of the bolt handle??

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Could be, but there is an R on the right side of the trigger, the trigger guard is not pinned. There is 9974 stamped on the right side of the stock, which is a replacement anyway. The finish does not seem indicative of a Greek lend lease. The rifling is really very good. Is Greek return a good or bad thing. I am new at this. It started with an Enfield and now an M1 and the 03A3.

how would one pin a stamped trigger guard?? and if so,, why would they do so?

the milled trigger guards, had the removable floorplate drill and pinned so the floor plate wouldnt pop out, rather then replace the floorplate and catch..likely the didnt get any replacement parts.
all the markings and finish on the pictured A3 are signs of a Greek return..

As a rule, Greek characteristics tend to reduce the value, somewhat. However, yours is one of the nicer ones. Some of the Greek M1903s look like they got run over by a truck! :D

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Originally Posted by 25-5

Could be, but there is an R on the right side of the trigger, the trigger guard is not pinned. There is 9974 stamped on the right side of the stock, which is a replacement anyway. The finish does not seem indicative of a Greek lend lease. The rifling is really very good. Is Greek return a good or bad thing. I am new at this. It started with an Enfield and now an M1 and the 03A3.

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The 80 year old got this Greek rifle 25 years ago. CMP only got them from Greece about 10 years ago.:rolleyes:

I have enclosed some trigger guard pics for clarification.
The gentleman I got the 03A3 and an M1 from is known to me and as he is past using the rifles was interested they find a good home. If he said 25 years he does not mean 10.
I don't know if CMP is the only source for these milsurps or not. Not familiar with them at all.
If the rifle passed through Greece is of no concern as this 03A3 is a gem of a battle rifle. Although the history is of great interest to me I like to shoot more than collect.
I am learning a lot here and I thank you all. It's a good time.

Yes very nice 1903, But is the color off a bit or is it just me?