Hello guys, I have recently acquired this 1903A3. Need help knowing more about this rifle.
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Hello guys, I have recently acquired this 1903A3. Need help knowing more about this rifle.
It’s a reproduction of a 1903A4 built off a 1903A3.
I’d need to see more pics of the scope to know more about it.
Even these repros bring $1,000 to $1,200.
Will upload the scope pictures shortly. This is what the seller told me " This 03-A3 is in a Springfield stock in excellent condition. There are stamps on bottom of forend, stock and flaming ordnance "RA" on barrel. Gun has an excellent bore. Complete with leather sling and Weaver Model 330 Tube Scope "
You have a very nice replica sniper rifle that someone built up on an M'03-A3. The scope appears to be a replica. The markings in the stock are also replicas and are not authentic. You should be all set for the sniper rifle matches.
J.B.
Is there a reason for the scope to be rotated 90 degrees to the left?
I don't see the "Gibbs" marking on the scope which would designate it as aftermarket. They are plainly marked.
The Gibbs rifles came with a "CMP" stock.
Ed
The scope looks like a Weaver 330 commercial and someone etched something on the right side. Can you take a picture of the name plate on the scope and right side.
But as JB and others stated it is a replica A4 made from an A3
Good looking rifle. As others said, it is a standard 03A3 which someone turned into a replica sniper. The 03A4 was the sniper version, and it was not much more than an A3, changed the way yours is. But, they are worth more, because they are...original snipers. The quickest and surest way to spot the real deal is that even though it is stamped as an 03A3, the model # and serial # are visible, with the scope mount attached. They moved the location of those stamps so they could be seen with the scope mounted. You will notice in yours that you cannot see the serial #. The Weaver 330 was slightly modified to make up the scope for the military sniper, primarily by putting thumb-adjustable windage/elevation adjusmtent knobs. The civilian versions required a screwdriver to make the adjustments. There is some speculation that some unmodified 330s were purchased due to wartime needs, but that is hotly debated. Looks like yours is a very nicely done replica.
In these photos, of my A4, you might see what I am referring to. This is a Weaver 330 scope, the civilian version that was modified for the military. Notice the nomenclature on the side of the receiver ring, instead of being directly on top, under the scope mount. Also, you might notice a slight difference in the shape of the A4 bolt knob as it is rare that anyone bends and grinds an A3 bolt to match this shape perfectly
Last On 06-04-2020 @ 04:27 PMQuote:
Originally Posted by BELIKEBRO
Probably built on a recovered 03A3 drill rifle receiver. I won 100 of the drill rifles in the CMP auction several years ago, and all of the big guys such as Sarco and Numrich called me to try to buy mine. I believe that all of the FAUX 03 A4 rifles were built on recovered drill rifle receivers. Nothing wrong with with the receivers for that purpose, but none of the companies disclosed that fact.
Wow...even at auction, good luck and maybe a steal of a price that would be a bag of US green. Most of us just want a decent shooter, you get a pile of possibles. With work that is...Quote:
Originally Posted by m1903rifle
In both original and Dave's pictures the scope does appear to be the commercial 330 scope. If you can find the 3/4 and 7/8 rings a M81, M82 or M84 scope are correct for post war use. The issue with those scopes its the eye relief is not correct for use in the prone for an average sized guy.
The M73A1 scopes broke at a much higher rate than the rifles, no spares were bought in WWII, most of the DCM sales rifles in the 1960s came without scopes, hence the mounting of the commercial scopes.
None of the commercial scopes with the non-click adjustments were correct or were authorized for use. The military click sight adjusters I seem to recall had a different screw pitch, but I am not sure about that.
The bolts on the 1903A4 sniper rifles can cost a chunk of change. Last one I saw which was an original was going for $300 for the complete bolt. I bought mine from a dealer friend over 30 years ago and even then it cost me $75. but bubba had used his dremel to enlarge the cut portion of the bolt handle so it would clear a modern scope. Cleaned it up and looks good but it is what it is. Still looks great on my 1903A3 sporter. Frank
Most obvious giveaway to me is at the front of the barrel where you can plainly see where the original front sight was removed. Original 03a4's never had a front sight installed, hence the Parkerizing was continuous at the sight base. Yours shows the original bluing underneath.
Scope on yours is most likely a Weaver 330 Commercial with screw adjustments. All Weaver scopes for the military had "click" adjustments.
One other note: the serial number on yours looks to be "Z4001" Z-prefix rifles are rather rare (only about 2,920 made), and they always had a 7-digit s/n, Z4001083 being the first in the series, ending at Z4002980. Yours is just a nice clone....
If the seller did not disclose that this was a re-pro, I would be skeptical at doing business with him again. Just MHO....
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