Need help identifying the year of manufacture and possible value of an 03A3

[dgp1000]

Hello all,

I recently inherited some rifles which I'm looking to get insured and need some help trying to valuate one in particular.

This is a Remington 03A3 with serial number 4000158. It's 100% original with what appears to be either a well used original bolt assembly or a chromed bolt assembly. It's very bright indeed. See the attached pictures.

If anybody out there could give me a little insight I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks,
David.

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.

[Promo]

Stock has definately been sanded, bolt is not correct for this rifle. Could it be that the rifle blued and not parkerized?

[dgp1000]

Interesting. How do you know that the bolt is not correct for this rifle? Somebody did mention whilst I was at the range that it looked like a drill rifle however it shoots flawlessly. I'm not sure what to look for with regards to blued vs parkerized. Would additional close up pictures of any parts help?

Thank you!

[PeteDavis]

That bolt is 1903 Springfield and is nickel steel, from the 1930's. One gas hole earlier, two gas holes later.
That rifle has been stripped of original finish and reblued, dulited or painted. If it is a DP rifle you will see the remains of grinding around the cutoff area (on-off switch) where welds were applied. Parkerizing does not take to the hardened weld areas which could explain the finish. Show us a pic of the cutoff, and take it from the stock and show us a pic of the underside of the chamber swell. That area would have been tacked as well.
Someone tricked it the rifle for sale or target work and it appears they did a nice job. If it is an old DP it won't have a high value-but lack of original finish does the same thing anyway, just to a lesser degree.
PD

[Calif-Steve]

Nice, early NS bolt. Rifle sure looks re-blued to me. Stock is sanded, as well. I doubt it is a Drill Rifle, looks like a 1950's DCM rifle.

[dgp1000]

Fantastic info, I'll be sure to recommend this site to my friends who shoot 03A3's up at our range here in Northern NJ.

My apologies if the pictures I've added are not all that you were looking for. Did you mean remove the stock and photograph the underside of the barrel? I can do this but wanted to make sure that was what you were looking for before I did.

---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 PM ----------

The reason I thought the bolt was original was that it is also stamper with an "R" for Remington? and "32" for year? I was hoping the serial number 4000158 from around 1932 but as is quite apparent, I have not done my research here!

[supercub]

Receiver dates to Dec 1943 or Jan 1944. What's the date on the top end of the barrel behind the front sight?

Yes, if you could take a picture of the gun out of the stock, underside of barrel where it screws into the receiver, that would help determine if it's a DR.

[dgp1000]

Just stripped it down and took some additional pictures which should appear above with a bit of luck.

There are lots of numbers and markings all over the metalwork. Not sure what they might mean but perhaps inspection stamps?

[dgp1000]

Attachment 30847Attachment 30862Attachment 30861Attachment 30860Attachment 30859Attachment 30858Attachment 30857Attachment 30856Attachment 30855Attachment 30854Attachment 30853Attachment 30852Attachment 30851Attachment 30850Attachment 30849Attachment 30848Attachment 30846Attachment 30863

[dgp1000]

The markings behind the front sight read "R.A. 9-43" so hopefully this is the original barrel to which the receiver is mated with. The rifling looks nice an sharp.