1903A3 Smith Corona correct finish

[Rick the Librarian]

You're correct ... October, probably. Use this table instead ... FAR more accurate:

http://www.vishooter.net/sc_serialization.txt

---------- Post added at 06:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:25 AM ----------

Sorry... I am not confused, as to me the 1903 and 1903A3 are only different in the rear sight. The fact of the matter is that 03's and 03A3's were used by combat troops in WWII and not merely relegated to rear echelon cooks and such. It took a long time to ramp up Garand production...that was my only point. In retrospect, I was referring to the bolt action rifle vs the semi-auto rifle and it is certainly true by the time the 03A3 was fielded it was relegated primarily to rear echelon soldiers. Regards, Rick.

I wouldn't say the M1903/03A3 was relegated to "cooks and such" - it remained the main grenade-launching rifle until almost the end of the war and continued to be used by engineers, MPs, etc. Of course, as you are aware, it was used as a first line rifle by the Marines in the Philippines, Wake Island and Guadalcanal, and to some extent, by the Army in the first months, as well.

[emmagee1917]

Rick , front line use was almost all limited to the M1903 / A1 . The old units ( first in the fight ) had M1903s , Grenade launching was M1903s ( better rear sight set up for that ) , etc.
There are a few exceptions , but most A3s were given to support units . Of course , engineers , truck drivers , artillery units , MPs , etc. could find themselves on or behind the front lines at any time.
Still , it did serve . There are pics of a few front line units armed with these and shots of individuals that might have been from an aux. unit or just might have preffered it .
Chris

[sakorick]

Rick , front line use was almost all limited to the M1903 / A1 . The old units ( first in the fight ) had M1903s , Grenade launching was M1903s ( better rear sight set up for that ) , etc.
There are a few exceptions , but most A3s were given to support units . Of course , engineers , truck drivers , artillery units , MPs , etc. could find themselves on or behind the front lines at any time.
Still , it did serve . There are pics of a few front line units armed with these and shots of individuals that might have been from an aux. unit or just might have preffered it .
Chris

You are 100% correct, sir. Regards, Rick.

[Craig Eberhardt]

[QUOTE=Rick the Librarian;276665]You're correct ... October, probably. Use this table instead ... FAR more accurate:

Thank you Rick