03-a3/a4

[oldfoneguy]

I've been having eyesight issues since my retina detachment back in 23 so the decision is to add glass to as many of my milsurps as possible without permanent modifications. This is step one of many.

Here we have my virtually unfired 03-A3 that I picked up last year. I went as far as adding the .100" wide Marine Corp front sight blade and buying a replacement peep and drilling it out to .150" in a vein attempt to see the target and sights simultaneously, it didn't work. The modification process went as such,

New C stock and handguard from The 1903 Store. This is the early thin wrist type stock as the description said because it's a farily early 03-A3. I went with new because I couldn't bear to do the necessary mods to a stock with history. Besides leave that for someone with the real thing that needs the real thing.
SK no drill 03-A3 scope mount as no permanent modifications is the goal. Seems to fit and function well but time and use will be the best test.
Weaver 29S scope. This is the post war iteration of the 330/M73B1 scope manufactured from 1945-1947. This is a post reticle click adjustment scope reminiscent of those 330's put on A4s early in the war.

So I had heard horror stories about removing the sights on these rifles. The front sight base seemed to come of willingly once the pin was removed with a few moderate taps. The rear sight was a bit more of a challenge having been peened in place on 2 locations. Drilling out the peen spots and a few vigorous taps and the rear sight base was off. Done conservatively enough so it can be put back in place and the drilled spots are invisible once the sight is put back in place. The bolt which is not the original but a Remington that I assembled from parts and headspaces perfectly. I ground it for scope clearance and cold blued it for function. It came out somewhat decent.

The scope was a bit cloudy as most 80 year old non sealed scopes naturally are. Occular lens was easy enough to remove and clean both sides. With that lens off and a long q-tip the inner lens was easily cleaned at the rear. The front lens was fairly easy to remove once the sealant was chipped off. The photos show how nasty they were on the inside. Back of the lens cleaned and the front of the middle lens as well the scope is really not that bad. I'm going to have to do this to all my other non sealed scopes. I have an assortment of scopes to use as it's a Weaver rail and quick change ring setup. Just in case the old 3x-3/4" tube isn't up to the job with my questionable vision.

Still waiting for a trip to the range as a combination of weather and personal commitments has been getting in the way.