my new, broken 1903a3

[ssgross]

I found and acquired a 1903a3 that needs some TLC. It's stock is broken at the wrist. The bolt handle has been mutilated, and the barrel was cut back.
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The price was good. The original Redfield mount made it better. I haven't been able to find a mount anywhere, and when I do see them they are very very expensive.

First up, it needs a new barrel. I can't find any criterion barrels in stock anywhere. Does anyone have any experience with the NOS barrels at Sarco? 1903A3 Springfield Barrel 4 Groove - SARCO, Inc

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[Glynn863]

Check the CMP forum for NOS barrels and post in the WTB area. There are several people there who usually don't always advertise what they have, but they will respond to a WTB. Same goes for the stock. Are you wanting to restore to original military configuration, or keep it sporterized?

[ssgross]

I have a new Minelli stock on the way - brownells has them in stock. Since it already drilled and has a good quality Redfield base on it, I will put it back to it's original configuration, swappable as a clone A4. I wanted to do a new production barrel, but can't find one. Next best at the same price would be a NOS usgi barrel. My only worry is that the Sarco found some long forgotten crate of rejects.

[rugersworld]

I saw some NOS barrels on ebay last week. Cant remember if they were A3 or 1903. They were still in the greased wrap. A seller from montana or wyoming.

[browningautorifle]

stock is broken at the wrist.

That's too bad too. It's a really nice profile of sporter stock, just what I like. No easy repair either...too bad. Looks like someone passed it right across a tree to do it.

[ssgross]

I just took possession today at my ffl and got it home. the underside of the barrel has some pretty bad rust going on, as does the front surface of the trigger. surface rust on the milled floor plate. The receiver is clean...the gunsmith that did the polishing and bluing left the parkerized finish under the woodline, and it did its job over the years. When I pulled it out of the box, the buttstock separated. here it is...
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I was hoping to find a mark, or penciled signature somewhere under the buttplate or in the inletting to identify the gunsmith. The job on the bolt handle is interesting. I've seen some jeweled 1903 bolts, but none like this. It looks like it was done "in place", as I can't see any evidence of the original being cut off and a new one welded on. Were these handles sold aftermarket? or did someone painstakingly redo the original?

as regards barrels...sarco says theirs is still packed in grease. if no one has anything negative to say to the contrary, I'll order one. what I saw NOS on ebay was a ridiculous price.'

Jim, if you would like to try your hand at fixing the stock, it's yours. I'll splurge for the shipping too if you promise to post every step in detail with pictures! There was no rear screw bushing, but likely as you said someone beat a tree with it. Sad...but it's in safe hands now!

[browningautorifle]

if you would like to try your hand at fixing the stock,

No thanks, just too bad. Nice profile of stock.

[usabaker]

Originally Posted by ssgross
if you would like to try your hand at fixing the stock,
No thanks, just too bad. Nice profile of stock.
Regards, Jim

I'm half tempted to send you the postage for the lost case and take it on just for Shoots and Giggles. But I have too many projects already I need to complete. Would be fun though, It's one of those cases that fixing it would cost more than buying the replacement if it was brought to a shop and just not worth it. Because of the break location, that one is going to require grafting of new wood and inletting just so the stock would act as a solid piece again and hold correctly to the recoil and motion/flex.

[ssgross]

I'm half tempted to send you the postage for the lost case and take it on

I thought about trying my hand at it just for the practice, but I despise sporter stocks with a cheekpiece...they are always on the wrong side!
postage would be on me, all you gotta do is fix it and post along the way.

My kids have already begun to speculate stories as to how it ended up this way...lots of fun.

[browningautorifle]

I'm no sure it would be a successful repair, biscuits, dowels...pins... Nope.