Remington 1903A3 possible purchase.....

I'm going to look at a Remington 1903A3 next week, the guys asking $900 for it?
I don't have a clue what it looks like, but he told me it shoots well and not all the serial #'s
match.

So I'll have to go see it and go from there, my question is....what is a decent ballpark value for these rifles assuming it isn't a cobbled up piece?

I know the obvious stuff to loo for...like welds or modifications. Are there any give away's that would stand out as to make it worth more or less$ for a novice to see...LOL

Anyway, I appreciate any help/info or buying pointers.

Regards,

This is what it is supposed to look like.
W/O pics hard to tell value. Not perfect, not a bubba job, $700.00. More informed folks will be by. Check the link from this forum.

Remington 1903A3 (displaying original configuration and finish)

Thanks 25-5, I've looked at those pics several times and I'm still trying to learn how to navigate this forum..LOL, I've also read about the serial #'s something like...249,000 and 800,000 as
the cut off for safe receivers. Is this for the 1903 rifles only or does it apply to the 1903A3's as well?

The man also told me he has a "like new" extra barrel that will go with the rifle, now I don't know if he was building these rifles or not, I'll just have to ask questions and use some common sense
when I go look at it.

Regards,

ALL 03-A3 as well as ALL Remington 1903 rifles are "high" numbers (or safe). The numbers you referenced apply to Springfield and Rock Island manufactured 1903 rifles.

There was an outfit that called itself National Ordanance that had cast receivers made and assembled 03-A3 rifles on those receivers with surplus parts. Avoid those.

Thanks ArtPahl, I was thinking it was the 1903's but I didn't remember exactly which manufacturer it was. So I'm safe with any Remington 03-A3. I'm looking
for a shooter to use often so that's good to hear.

Regards,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bustachip3

but he told me it shoots well and not all the serial #'s
match.

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There is only ONE and that is on the receiver. Why he would say the numbers don't match doesn't make sense.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ArtPahl

ALL 03-A3 as well as ALL Remington 1903 rifles are "high" numbers (or safe). The numbers you referenced apply to Springfield and Rock Island manufactured 1903 rifles.

There was an outfit that called itself National Ordanance that had cast receivers made and assembled 03-A3 rifles on those receivers with surplus parts. Avoid those.

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Be aware there are more then National Ordnance rifles to look out for. There are cast steel Counterfeit 1903a3 Remington's floating around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LJUTIC

Be aware there are more then National Ordnance rifles to look out for. There are cast steel Counterfeit 1903a3 Remington's floating around.

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"Santa Fe" comes to mind.

And $900 should buy a fairly nice and complete Remington M1903. So, it is good to see that you are doing your homework. If this one is not up to snuff, you should be able to land a decent alternative representative with that amount of cash.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by martin08

"Santa Fe" comes to mind.

And $900 should buy a fairly nice and complete Remington M1903. So, it is good to see that you are doing your homework. If this one is not up to snuff, you should be able to land a decent alternative representative with that amount of cash.

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The counterfeit receiver I had was marked Remington with no other info on the receiver. Someone went through the effort to make a pattern for casting and I am sure more then one was casted. The head space on it was .014 over go and you could feel the inside lug abutments and a burr was forming from the metal being peened by the bolt lugs from firing the rifle X amount of times. I believe the receiver was cut in 2 by the dealer that originally sold it. I have a photo of that receiver and will post it sometime soon.

Wow....cast counterfeit Remington receivers, that's the first I've heard of those. But I know all about the National Ordnance rifles, and I would like to see the pic of the counterfeit receiver
if possible. Thanks for the heads up!

Regards,

LOL....I don't have a clue why he said that.

Regards,

lets see if this works. http://i1272.photobucket.com

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LJUTIC

lets see if this works. http://i1272.photobucket.com

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The photobucket site comes up...but I don't see the receiver pic??? Thanks for trying!

Regards,

I'll try again, counterfeit_zpsyogvjyjq.jpg Photo by paracongo308 | Photobucket

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LJUTIC

I'll try again, counterfeit_zpsyogvjyjq.jpg Photo by paracongo308 | Photobucket

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Thanks it worked this time, it does look like cast material, but I thought you said it only had Remington marked on it? It has (US Remington Model 03-A3 with funny looking serial #'s)
I guess the big fat serial #'s would also be a give away?

Thanks for posting the pic.
Regards,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bustachip3

Thanks it worked this time, it does look like cast material, but I thought you said it only had Remington marked on it? It has (US Remington Model 03-A3 with funny looking serial #'s)
I guess the big fat serial #'s would also be a give away?

Thanks for posting the pic.
Regards,

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When I posted it only had remington on it, I was referring to another poster who mentioned Santa Fe. There was no manufactures name on the receiver as it is a copy of a Remington.

I see, but the one in your photobucket pic is a counterfeit Remington receiver...correct?

Regards,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bustachip3

I see, but the one in your photobucket pic is a counterfeit Remington receiver...correct?

Regards,

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That is correct, The person who made it wasn't thinking too hard as he could have just as easily made a A4 receiver instead of a plain A3 receiver. That's like a money counterfeiter making $5 bills instead of $20's.

LOL.....now I need to try and find some pics of the 1903A4 receivers so I'll be able to tell them apart. I'm just getting started researching these rifles so I've got
much to learn about them! Thanks again LJUTIC.

Regards,