Remington 03-A3 S/N Question

[lenb]

Hi folks, I have a Remington 03-A3 that's in nice overall shape, but am not sure if the barrel is original to the receiver. The barrel is dated 5/43, but the reciever s/n is 3880933. References I've looke in show the receiver was probably made in 8/43. I know the barrel dates can preced the receivers by a few months. Is it possible that the barrel and receiver are correct and original to each other?

Len

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[Don W]

Hello Len,

I would say "YES", it is a very good chance it is original to your receiver.

Barrel dates seem to vary some in that s/n range.

HTH, DW

[John Beard]

I concur with Don W.

J.B.

[lenb]

Whew, thanks guys, I really appreciate your help here. I was hoping that was the case.

Len

[Arisaka99]

As a VERY generalized rule, as long as a Remington marked barrel is pre 1944 (2-44 was last month of production), it is likely original to the receiver. Some of the last few thousand rifles had 2-44 barrels which could be original. Anything past 2-44 on any Remington rifle is a rebarrel. Any Remington barrel on an SC receiver (and vice versa) is a rebarrel. There are, of course, exceptions with very early 03A3s having later 43-dated barrels from rework, but 90% of the time the general rule holds true. My observation anyway.

[Rick the Librarian]

I "mildly" disagree -- The rule of thumb seems to be that anything past 12-43 and maybe 1-44 is a replacement. Although completed M1903A3s were manufactured through February, 1944, they ued barrels that were "behind".

I agree that I have also seen earlier rifles with later (pre-1944 barrels) as replacements, including fair number of Springfield barrels (on Remington 1903s, that is).

[Arisaka99]

I defer to Rick! I have a Remington in the 4206xxx range (last couple weeks of production) with a 9-43 barrel. There are several around it on Vi's list with 10-43, 12-43, 1-44 and 2-44 barrels. Observation by proxy sometimes. Never compares to the several year head start true experts have.

[BarnacleBill]

Very good info, but I asked once about my Rem 03-A3, Serial number places the receiver at March, 1943, while the Rem barrel is dated 11-43. What are the odds that this combo is original?

[Lancebear]

Hey Bill,

Probably not good. The "General" rule is that the barrel date should precede the receiver date by three months or less for an original match. Not too familiar with 'A3's, but think the yardstick might still apply to them. If wrong, will rightly get my wrist slapped.

Good luck and death to tyrants,

LB

[John Beard]

Hey Bill,

Probably not good. The "General" rule is that the barrel date should precede the receiver date by three months or less for an original match. Not too familiar with 'A3's, but think the yardstick might still apply to them. If wrong, will rightly get my wrist slapped.

Good luck and death to tyrants,

LB

I concur with Lancebear.

J.B.