1st 1903A3

[JBBOOKS]

Just purchased this Remington 1903A3 serial number 4124880. The seller stated that it was a DCM rifle from 25 years ago but did not have any paper work.
The barrel looks to have been replaced and is marked USMC 2-44 with a S in a circle. The stock has faded crossed cannons and the letters FJA. Most small parts are marked with an R but many are not marked.
Any help from the Forum members will be greatly appreciated.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[rcathey]

I hate to be the one to put this out there but I’m quite certain this was a drill rifle. That would explain the barrel change, the new looking handguard ring, and some discoloration I can see around the cutoff. Closer pictures of that area and the underside of the receiver would show for sure.

[JBBOOKS]

I think your right. Do you think it would be safe to shoot? The TE is 1 and the ME is 1.

[daveboy]

I find it interesting that the metal has all the correct finish...parts that should be blued are, and parts that should be parked are. Just like the original.

[browningautorifle]

parts that should be blued are, and parts that should be parked are.

So, carefully selected and assembled from a drill rifle. Seller misrepresented this one, can you get a return of funds?

[rcathey]

So, carefully selected and assembled from a drill rifle.

Haha, I thought the same thing, Jim. Great minds!
Easy to be "correct" when you're assembling from parts.

[Doco overboard]

It also looks to have a 1903 barrel

[m1903rifle]

DCM would never have sold a M1903-A3 with a M1903 barrel in it. As I mentioned elsewhere, the stock stamps are not original.

[ed skeels]

A 2-44 barrel with a 03 rear sight "notch"?

[rcathey]

A 2-44 barrel with a 03 rear sight "notch"?

It’s a later replacement. The date has no bearing on whether it’s a 1903 or 1903A3. The other features tell that it’s a 1903 barrel slapped onto a 1993A3.