My 88 mystery

[burpgun]

I'm hoping the wealth of knowledge here can shed light on a 03A3 I have. I'm collecting Remington 03's that have brass stock screws. So far I have two examples, a late 1903 (modified if you prefer) and an early 03A3. I believe both rifles to be original in all respects. I purchased them from the original owner and have the DCM paperwork from late 50's showing them sent from Benicia for less than $40.00 each. Both have FJA and ordnance wheel, and no arsenal refurb stamps. Both also have all parts R marked. There is one exception to this on the 03A3, there is no R mark on the bolt. My library tells me that Acros was an 03A3 bolt subcontractor and they had a code of 88. My theory is this 88 stamp on the stock is referring to the bolt being Acros made. Any thoughts about this? As you can see from the photos the 03A3 has a beautiful red stock.

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.

[Ramboueille]

Why would they mark a bolt related issue on the stock? What if the stock gets changed or broken or came from another rifle? Why would a rebuild facility care who the bolt subcontactor was?

Once a rifle goes through a rebuild facility, a "red flag" should go up regarding 100% originality.

[Jim Tarleton]

Most likely a rack number or something similar.

Jim

[John Beard]

Acros made no M1903 or '03-A3 bolts. There are no bolts marked "88".

There are some bolts marked "CC", which I suppose could look like an "8". But, those were made by Commercial Controls, a WWII spare parts contractor, and are original to no rifle except one that's been overhauled.

Your rifle's bolt should have an "R" beneath the handle. Absence of an "R" likely indicates that the bolt has been replaced. It wouldn't be the first time!

One can only speculate what the "88" in the stock signifies. But, it does not likely have any connection with the bolt.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

p.s.,

Those are two fine rifles you have in your collection. Please share with us some more pictures and serial numbers and barrel dates. Thanks!

[Rick the Librarian]

Does the milled trigger guard on the Remington M1903 have an R stamped on the right side on he rear of the "bow"?

[burpgun]

Thanks for all the comments so far. Here are some more pics and info as requested.

1903 #3305577, Barrel 6-42 RA
03A3 #3736994, Barrel 4-43 RA

[burpgun]

Does the milled trigger guard on the Remington M1903 have an R stamped on the right side on he rear of the "bow"?

No it does not.

[John Beard]

Thanks for all the comments so far. Here are some more pics and info as requested.

1903 #3305577, Barrel 6-42 RA
03A3 #3736994, Barrel 4-43 RA

Many thanks for favoring us with more pictures!

You have two fine rifles in your collection. As Rick the Librarian alluded to, the trigger guard and lower band on your M1903 Remington have been replaced with milled parts. The original parts were stamped like those on your '03-A3. Parts replacement on Remingtons is very common, especially when original stamped parts could be replaced with milled parts.

Thanks again for favoring us with more pictures!

J.B.

[burpgun]

Many thanks for favoring us with more pictures!

You have two fine rifles in your collection. As Rick the Librarian alluded to, the trigger guard and lower band on your M1903 Remington have been replaced with milled parts. The original parts were stamped like those on your '03-A3. Parts replacement on Remingtons is very common, especially when original stamped parts could be replaced with milled parts.

Thanks again for favoring us with more pictures!

J.B.

Thank you for your kind words. I admit up front to being no expert on these so I beg you not to read this as me trying to be argumentative. I'm just trying to completely understand what you're telling me. I have a few quick questions and comments.

1. The lower band on the 1903 is marked R. The magazine floor plate and spring are also marked R.

2. Where would these 1903 parts likely have been replaced? The Remington factory, some arsenal, or by the previous owner? If replaced at an arsenal why are there no arsenal refurb markings on the stock? I knew the original owner quite well, he was a good friend, true gentleman, served with the OSS during WWII and retired a USMC full bird. I'm certain he was being honest when he said he never changed any parts, though in his later years his memory may not have been the best.

3. Should the R marked upper band on the 1903 be stamped rather than milled? Same question for sling and stacking swivels.

4. I only have $600 total in these, would you attempt to find an R marked stamped trigger guard and lower band for the 1903 and a R marked bolt for the 03A3. Would this increase their collectibility? I must say changing the 1903's trigger guard to stamped would tend to spoil her beauty for me but correct is correct.

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you for your time!
Mike

[Rick the Librarian]

1. The lower band and magazine spring may be correct. The floorplate is probably not. (There was a sub-inspector [I think at Springfield] who arked SA floorplates with an "R"!)

2. Hard telling. They could have been replaced at the "local" level - or perhaps the markings on the stock could have been sanded off. Your friend might have otained the rifle after the parts had been changed.

3. The upper band is milled. Stamped upper bands weren't used until the M1903A3.

4) A stamped trigger guard is relatively easy to find - the correct finish little less so. It would be the "small bow" variety. If it were me, I think I' leave it the way it is now, since that is how you gotit from your friend

$600 for both is an excellent price - they are worth quite a bit more now.