Smith Corona M1903-A3 w/ Over-SN

Greetings!

I was advised by Sgt. Rob P. of Russian-Mosin-Nagant to drop by here and post a picture of my new Smith Corona '03-A3 because it has a particularly high SN with the hand-stamped 'C'. I am far from a Springfield expert, but he tells me that SC went outside their assigned SN block and were required to hand stamp a C to distinguish from Remington:

Attachment 20563

In addition, there are some other interesting eccentricities about it. For instance, it has a later 1944 Remington barrel and a C-style stock. If you want more details, I posted a complete set of photos and details about it here:

New Smith Corona "Springfield" 1903-A3

Ellesar - You take good pictures. I looked at your rifle on your link and read the thread. It seems most of your questions have been answered there.

IE: you have a mixmaster SC with and interesting serial # with a replacement Remington barrel.

More interesting is the "C" stock which appears to be a GI issue 'replacement'1903-A4 stock in excellant condition. I say 'replacement' due to the lack of Cartouches and sub-inspector marks forward of the trigger guard. I see no evidence of heavy sanding.

I would think you could easily 'trade' that stock for a very nice Smith Corona 'S' stock if you wanted to.

Look on the bolt handle root top & bottom and advise what markings you see.

I will take a look and get back to you Mike, with photos if I find anything.

Anybody got anything they can comment on in reguards to the serial #? I sent Elessar over here because based on the info I have this number is about a thousand numbers higher than was previously thought. I am hoping that Rick the Librarian or John Beard would comment on it.

Semper Fi, Rob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Rob P.

Anybody got anything they can comment on in reguards to the serial #? I sent Elessar over here because based on the info I have this number is about a thousand numbers higher than was previously thought. I am hoping that Rick the Librarian or John Beard would comment on it.

Semper Fi, Rob

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Sgt. - Suggest you PM JB, he may not have read this thread. I don't know if Larry Byrd is on this forum but he may have some info.

Also see the link,Vishooter lists C3712181 - 662 lower than Elessars'.
HTH

http://vishooter.home.att.net/SC3.txt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Rob P.

Anybody got anything they can comment on in reguards to the serial #? I sent Elessar over here because based on the info I have this number is about a thousand numbers higher than was previously thought. I am hoping that Rick the Librarian or John Beard would comment on it.

Semper Fi, Rob

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Elessar sent me an e-mail last Thursday. I replied to it in great length and detail describing what he has. He acknowledged that Sgt. Rob P. had directed him to me.

J.B. :)

John,

Thanks for your reply and for the information about where my rifle fits into the grand scheme of Smith-Corona and Remington production! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Rob P.

Anybody got anything they can comment on in reguards to the serial #? I sent Elessar over here because based on the info I have this number is about a thousand numbers higher than was previously thought. I am hoping that Rick the Librarian or John Beard would comment on it.

Semper Fi, Rob

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Sarge & Elessar - I contacted Larry Byrd re: this question. Larry reports he recorded SC Rifle C3713057 in his D/Base on 9/29/00
214 higher than Elessars'.

Interesting, I'm making the changes in my notes.

Elessar, what did John Beard have to say?

Mike Haas, Thank you for the added information from Larry Byrd, has anyone come across any documentation that may shed any light on how far the overrun of serial numbers went? Or are we still doing this as specimens of higher numbers surface?

Semper Fi, Rob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Rob P.

Anybody got anything they can comment on in reguards to the serial #? I sent Elessar over here because based on the info I have this number is about a thousand numbers higher than was previously thought. I am hoping that Rick the Librarian or John Beard would comment on it.

Semper Fi, Rob

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Rob,

It's standard Ordnance procedure when suspected duplicate serial numbers are found to add a letter prefix or suffix to the serial number regardless of the type of weapon. It's not uncommon.

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Originally Posted by Ramboueille

Rob,

It's standard Ordnance procedure when suspected duplicate serial numbers are found to add a letter prefix or suffix to the serial number regardless of the type of weapon. It's not uncommon.

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The "C" prefix part and why it is done I fully understand, what I find interesting is just how far the serial number over run lasted, and am curious as to how far it ran. And your comment brings to thought an interresting point - Are there any actual gaps??

Semper Fi, Rob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Rob P.

The "C" prefix part and why it is done I fully understand, what I find interesting is just how far the serial number over run lasted, and am curious as to how far it ran. And your comment brings to thought an interresting point - Are there any actual gaps??

Semper Fi, Rob

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Rob,

During WW2 the M1 rifle duplicated serial numbers are in excess of 120,000 between SA and WRA in three blocks and one block of carbines is known to be about 10,000 duplicates. So the 03-A3 / A4 known duplicate quantities aren't surprising.

There are no gaps in the M1 rifles or that carbine block. For the small gap in the 03-A3's, and until more are found, I would doubt there are any gaps. Those who watch it closely could give a more precise answer.

For the little bit that it may help,I have one as well.Will