05/43 m1903 theater lookup

[robertmacdonald68]

I have a m1903 that i would like to try to find out if it was in theater and where if so, can anyone assist with this or point me in a good direction?

S/N 3816775

Information

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[rcathey]

No match in my copy of the Springfield Research Service.

FYI, this is a 1903A3, not a 1903.

[robertmacdonald68]

No match in my copy of the Springfield Research Service.

FYI, this is a 1903A3, not a 1903.

I knew that and probably should have mentioned it as it might be relevant

---------- Post added at 04:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------

Thanks guys, thats some great info, i have no idea as to how it was acquired, i am just trying to trace out of immense curiosity for history and respect for our service members.

[Randy A]

Firearms "duty stations" were not tracked, only by SRS and that was a random spot check system that did not require all assigned rifles. Without an SRS hit your only chance is maybe some veteran wrote his serial number in a diary or range book. It's always worth a good look on the internet though.
Anyhow, I wouldn't factor the sand or the story as a definitive history of the rifle, only in rare situations could a service member purchase their rifle (I believe Marine officers could do that for a short period once). It is very common for families to claim that "grandpa brought that gun home from the war" when it is (most of the time) found that it was a DCM purchase he made 20 years later. These things were sold dirt cheap, here where I live they were $35.00 in cosmoline wrap with a bayonet in 1974. To add to the details of your rifle it was through a rebuild, if it were original all of the stamped metal parts would be blued, yours are parkerized. Anything is possible though, so post some good close up pics and maybe there is something that will provide a hint, like a Philippines ordnance stamp or something.

[Chuckindenver]

duty history for a 1903A3.
WW2. most 1903A3s that were actually issued, were issued to non combat troops. a lot of Black troops got them, most of the file pictures of A3s in combat during WW2 are with Black troops holding them, security detail, truck drivers, ect, very few actually were issued to {front line} use.
Korea use. mostly the same, some were used for grenade use.
many were also sent to other countries during the Lend lease program,

[Chuckindenver]

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