I recently came into possesion of a 03A3 rifle. The specs are:
1. on receiver: U. S. Smith-Corona, model 03A3, 3704085
2. Top of barrel, below front site: S C, bomb burst symbol, 5 43
3. Bolt: number 4085 engraved on top of bolt
4. Right side of stock back: stamped into wood #4085
5. Left side of stock back: stamped into wood RIA EB in a square
6. Underside of stock, behind trigger guard: 3 stamps, all are P's, two in circles and one in a square
7. The stock in straight
8. Sights are peep on the rear, not the ladder type
9. The barrel appears to have 4 grooves, but not sure

I received this rifle packed heavily in cosmolin. After cleaning I noted the barrel was clean and shinney like a mirror. Not sure if it had been shot.
Based on the cosmolin, throughtout the rilfe, it appears to have been packed by the military.

It is possible a plug of some kind was put into the chamber to re-configure the rifle for the shorter .308 round vs. a 30-06. (not sure about this)

Can anyone give me any information on this rifle and why it may have been re-configured?

Thanks for the help.

Blue Ridge Ranger
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.