Late Remington 1903's

[ArtPahl]

Joe Poyer's book indicates that around 1,900 03-A3's were made and mixed in with 1903's in 12/42 and that serial #3,339,217 was around the last number produced that month. Poyer also indicates that 1903 production was finally phased out by 3/43 and that serial #3,520,614 was the last number used that month. In other words,1903 reeceivers were still in the system from the end of 12/42 to the end of 3/43. I have #3,459,907 and it's an 03-A3. I'm now wondering if anyone has a 1903 (not A3) with a number between 3,339,217 and 3,520,614.

This is my first post and my user name is in honor of my wife's uncle Art who fought in WWI as a sergeant in the horse-drawn artillery. RIP Uncle Art.

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.

[Mikesm44]

I have a 1903 with #3136741, with a 4/42 barrel.

[Rick the Librarian]

Poyer's book has several errors, when it comes to Remington M1903s. In late 1942, the M1903A3 was introduced and a number of receivers without serial numbers were produced. However, there were a number of problems with the new rear sight, As a result, the receivers were "piling up". It was decided to complete them as M1903s. As a result, there are a fairly large number of M1903 (not 03A3) receivers from about 3,290,000 to 3,360,000 with the "stubs" of dovetails on the rear receiver bridge. They had M1903 markings.

The rear sight problem was apparently solved about October or November, 1942 and 03A3 production was introduced. There were a realtively small number of M1903A3s produced in the 3,320,000-3,350,000 range and a significant number of Remington M1903s in that same range. In the 3,360,000 range, the ratio started to be reversed as the Remington M1903 was phased out. In the 3,370,000-3,380,000 range there were a tiny handful of Remington M1903s produced, with the vast majority being Remington M1903A3s.

I have only seen ONE Remington M1903 in the 3,380,000 range and maybe a couple in the 3,370,000 range.

Another way to put it, using production figures provided by Bill Hansen:

Dec. 1942: 1,909 M1903A3s and 41,291 M1903
Jan. 1943: 10,934 M1903s and 33,484 M1903A3s
Feb. 283 M1903s and 51,603 M1903A3s
March: 105 M1903s and 58,980 M1903A3s.

By Feb. and March, 1943, Remington was using (in the words of my friend John Beard) "floor sweepings" to complete the last few M1903s.

No my knowledge, there were NO Remington M1903s above 3,380,000 and probably only a bare handful of those.

[M1903Guy]

I have a Remington M1903, serial number 3,363,164, barrel dated 10-42, where the receiver was produced as a M1903A3, however, the dovetail for the A3 rear sight has been ground down and a 03 rear sight and handguard were applied. It is my understanding that this is one of the "fixes" used by Remington to meet its monthly production quotas while waiting for adequate supplies of the new A3 rear sight to become available.

[ArtPahl]

How is your receiver marked: 1903 or 03-A3?

[John Beard]

Seasons' Greetings!

Rick has been sniffin' the bore cleaner again. He's making contradictory statements. Says he, "I have only seen ONE Remington M1903 in the 3,380,000 range...." Then says he, "[T]o my knowledge, there were NO Remington M1903s above 3,380,000...." So which is it? Is the one he saw fake?

I have seen TWO Remington M1903s in the S/N 3,380,000 range, and neither one of them was fake. The rest of Rick's discourse is reasonably close to the real story. So we'll leave it at that.

Happy New Year!

J.B.

[emmagee1917]

I think he left out the word " range " , ie. no M1903s in the 3,390,000 and up range.
Chris

[Rick the Librarian]

My wording left something to be desired, but John, if you will read more carefully, I have not seen a Remington M1903 ABOVE the 3,380,000 range and only ONE IN the 3,380,000 range.

[John Beard]

My wording left something to be desired....

Exactly! I couldn't have said it better!

Happy New Year!

J.B.

[M1903Guy]

How is your receiver marked: 1903 or 03-A3?

The receiver is marked: U.S. REMINGTON MODEL1903