Unfired '03A3...now what?

Hello everyone. This is my first post and it's out of necessity. I have recently acquired a Remington '03A3 from a private collection. I just returned from visiting an expert in military firearms who inspected my rifle and made the following statements. 1. It appears to be all original. 2. It is unfired 3. This weapon may have never been issued, and 4. Due to the orientation of the serial number it was likely intended to be a sniper variant, but never had the final mods done to mount a scope, etc. So...now what do I do? It was given to me by another Marine, and I will eventually pass it down to my son who is also a Marine. It has cosmoline in every nook and cranny, and the wood (all original) is caked with it too. I do not intend to EVER fire this weapon...or even work the action any more than necessary. My big question is do I clean it and re-preserve it...or just leave it as is? It's kind of messy to show it to someone in it's current state due to the old cosmoline. Any expert input and advice would be welcomed. Thanks, and Semper Fi...Mike

I personally would get the old Cosmo off of it. But I am sure you will get other thoughts. Pictures are a must

First, post pictures.

I just took a bunch of pics. Now to figure out how to post them...

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Sorry for the shaky pictures. As you can see, none of the parts exhibit the "green tint" that I see on so many A3s. I noticed one cartouche on the left side of the stock cheek with "RIA" which I assume is Rock Island Arsenal. Why is that mounted on a Remington manufactured weapon? Does that mean it's not original, or was it a leftover from the RIA days?

Thanks for your help!

Here is a quick reply.
Your 03A3 was rebuilt by the Rock Island Armory RIA, if that is the original stock to the rifle. (Rebuild stamps on the bottom of the stock, and RIA stamp on the side)
Which means it has been shot in its life time, and issued!
It has been prepped for long term storage in cosmoline and it might be the same prep done by RIA or somebody else wanting to make it look like its been in storage since RIA.
Or somebody that thinks cosmoline is a good idea, its not! It will eventually ruin the stock finish if it has not already.
If you are going to display it, then I would clean it up, that is not a restoration in any way "in my opinion".

Update: Looking a little closer, there is no indication from the s/n placement that this was ever potentially going to be an 03A4 sniper. It appears to be stamped as a standard 03A3.

Tom
P.S. Nice gun all the same!

RIA/EB is for Elmer Bjerke who was foreman of small arms inspections at Rock Island Arsenal from 1947 to 1958. The rifle was overhauled at some time during those years. That is probably when it received it's slathering of cosmoline.

Looks like the standard DCM 03-A3 from 1962/65?? Not new, not unfired, likely rebuilt after WWII and put away. A nice find, clean it up and use it.

Actually looks like a CMP Greek return based on the finnish and the ep'd numbers on the bolt handle. Clean it and shoot it as you are not going to affect the value.

I appreciate all the answers...and I'm kinda glad it's not a "rare collector's piece" because I really wanted to shoot it. All that being said, it is gorgeous. Can anyone explain the lack of phosphate finish on any of the parts? I know I'll get asked that question eventually. Additionally, since I posted my original question I received an email from the previous owner. He did buy the piece through the CMP (along with several others) many years ago. That all makes sense now. Thank you for the insight, and the help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twh

Actually looks like a CMP Greek return based on the finnish and the ep'd numbers on the bolt handle. Clean it and shoot it as you are not going to affect the value.

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I was going to say the same thing. A rifle that probably saw extensive service in Greece, if nowhere else. Not unusual and pretty common.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johnny Peppers

RIA/EB is for Elmer Bjerke who was foreman of small arms inspections at Rock Island Arsenal from 1947 to 1958. The rifle was overhauled at some time during those years. That is probably when it received it's slathering of cosmoline.

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Just curious, where did you spot the "EB"?

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Originally Posted by mikewestman

Just curious, where did you spot the "EB"?

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The 8th photo in post #5. There is a boxed stamp with RIA over EB. The B is faint, but can be seen, and the only other stamp like that was RIA over FK, and it's not a K.

Thank you gentlemen. Today I clean a rifle instead of cutting grass...life is good.

I've got that rifles older brother. Remington 3719XXX 4-43. Need to find references for marks on stock. Best solid shooter ever!

Post some pictures and we should be able to tell you what you have, jdogonroad.

clean the grease, and shoot...dont use mineral spirits or other solvents on the wood, make sure you oil the metal finish back up if you use solvent to clean the grease on the metal

I went after it yesterday and gave it a thorough, inspection-ready cleaning. The rifle is actually in great shape under all that sticky gunk, and all the parts appear to be Remington and very lightly used. Undoubtedly a Greek return after all I've read, but it is in exceptional condition considering it's history. Even the black Parkerizing looks well done. I'm looking forward to shooting this one, and might even sit in a deer stand with it this fall. Thanks everyone for the valuable information.