I just received a 1903 Modified

[Rick the Librarian]

The barrel is rollmarked as a 10/42,

You said in the original post it was 4/42 - a 10/42 barrel is still a little outside the manufacture range, but may be original.

[SFC Higgins]

You said in the original post it was 4/42 - a 10/42 barrel is still a little outside the manufacture range, but may be original.

Yep I sure did type 4 - 42, I must have been too excited. Sorry for that mistake. I went back and looked at my other 1903A3 to check the numbers....I don't even know how I posted the mistake.

[Rick the Librarian]

Sure glad **I** never made that mistake. Now, excuse me while I seek cover before the lightning bolt strikes!

---------- Post added at 09:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 AM ----------

The handguard appears to be a later replacement. Does the lower band and trigger guard have an "R" stamp? By that point of production, most Remington M1903s had stamped parts.

[SFC Higgins]

Sure glad **I** never made that mistake. Now, excuse me while I seek cover before the lightning bolt strikes!

---------- Post added at 09:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 AM ----------

The handguard appears to be a later replacement. Does the lower band and trigger guard have an "R" stamp? By that point of production, most Remington M1903s had stamped parts.

The Trigger guard has "R" stamp and is a milled part, however the lower band on the stock handguard is stamped with a "U". I'm sure this is a mixmaster after being refurbished. Though it is a wonderful rifle, it's not all original as it is today.

[ssgross]

lower band on the stock handguard is stamped with a "U"

The U is not a manufacture identification. It's for "up" and indicates the direction of the band. Milled bands are gently sloped to match the contour. Remington made band should also have an R...but these are very, very hard to find!

[Rick the Librarian]

Remington milled lower bands have an R stamp somewhere above the U.

[1903Collector]

is that an '03 Stock, or an A3 S Stock? Werent earlier '42 M1903 (modified) rifles mounted on an RA S stock with no finger grooves and no handguard band inlet? If so, tht may not be a replacement stock at all, but an original 1903 (modified) stock boned when serviced at an arsenal. In any case, it looks like a very nice stock!

[Rick the Librarian]

You mentioned a 4-42 barrel in the OP.

The stock is a replacement from a later M1903A3. There were no RA stamps on M1903 stocks and you can see the "notches" for the M1903A3 retaining clip.

Nice rifle!

[SFC Higgins]

You mentioned a 4-42 barrel in the OP.

The stock is a replacement from a later M1903A3. There were no RA stamps on M1903 stocks and you can see the "notches" for the M1903A3 retaining clip.

Nice rifle!

I'm not any where as knowledgeable as you fine folks. But I feel very lucky to have found this rifle in it's current condition. The gentleman I purchased it from was very gracious and a pleasure to deal with. I now have two of his 03's and love their great looking condition and enjoy firing them,

[Hammer]

Semper Fidelis! Nice transition 03 to 03A3 Rifle!