Remington 03A3

[NP2650]

I picked up this Remington 03A3 from an estate. It was found with several other WWII era rifles including a m1903, M1917, a Mauser, and a Airsaka. I took the 03A3 and M1917 because they were the pick of the litter. My buddy took the Mauser and Arisaka. Unfortunately, the M1903 was in sorry condition.

All of the parts on this rifle that are marked are marked for Remington, including the barrel that is marked RA 6-43. The serial on the receiver is 3800XXX. The finish is a combination of blued and parkerized parts. All of the metal parts are covered with cosmoline, in fact we had to remove a plug of cosmoline from the muzzle to gauge it. It gauged at less than ½ on a CMP gauge. The stock is the only part that looks to have any wear. The stock has no cartouche, but is marked with a “P” behind the trigger guard. It came with a nice 1907 sling.

I’m a Garand guy so I have only basic knowledge of 03A3s. Can you guys tell me the approximate date of the receiver and whether the barrel appears correct? Does the rest of the rifle appear correct? Lastly, what is a good reference book on the 1903s and 1903A3s? Thanks.

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[John Beard]

I picked up this Remington 03A3 from an estate. It was found with several other WWII era rifles including a m1903, M1917, a Mauser, and a Airsaka. I took the 03A3 and M1917 because they were the pick of the litter. My buddy took the Mauser and Arisaka. Unfortunately, the M1903 was in sorry condition.

All of the parts on this rifle that are marked are marked for Remington, including the barrel that is marked RA 6-43. The serial on the receiver is 3800XXX. The finish is a combination of blued and parkerized parts. All of the metal parts are covered with cosmoline, in fact we had to remove a plug of cosmoline from the muzzle to gauge it. It gauged at less than ½ on a CMP gauge. The stock is the only part that looks to have any wear. The stock has no cartouche, but is marked with a “P” behind the trigger guard. It came with a nice 1907 sling.

I’m a Garand guy so I have only basic knowledge of 03A3s. Can you guys tell me the approximate date of the receiver and whether the barrel appears correct? Does the rest of the rifle appear correct? Lastly, what is a good reference book on the 1903s and 1903A3s? Thanks.

Your rifle has been arsenal-overhauled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts. This was common among '03-A3's that saw service during WWII. Your rifle appears to have been preserved in good condition since then. You should be justly proud.

The serial number and barrel date are a good match. Your rifle, therefore, very likely has its original barrel. The inspection stamp in the stock has apparently been worn or sanded away. The original stamp was "FJA" which may or may not have been enclosed in a rectangle, along with an Ordnance Escutcheon (crossed cannons) and "RA" to signify manufacture by Remington Arms.

The best reference book on 1903's is The Springfield 1903 Rifles by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy. The best reference book on the WWII rifles is The '03 Springfield's Era by Clark S. Campbell. The best, latest, and up-to-date information can be secured right here on this forum.

Hope this helps. And congratulations!

J.B.

[NP2650]

I assumed that it was probably arsenal overhauled, but what are the tell tale signs on this rifle?

[Chuckindenver]

parkerized parts,
only the receiver, barrel, safety lever, and front sight base were phosphate, the rest would be blued finish.
though having one or 2 small parts doesnt make it an overhual, some were simply repaired.
with that many parkerized parts, its a overhual.

[John Beard]

Oops!

I note that the rifle appears to be fitted with a Smith-Corona stock. The stock, therefore, would have had no "RA" stamp.

J.B.

[deserttrans]

What specific stamps would be on a stock that was rearsnal-overhauled at an armory?

[John Beard]

What specific stamps would be on a stock that was rearsnal-overhauled at an armory?

During WWII, the Army had a number of arsenals and depots overhauling M1903 series rifles. Some inspection stamps would include:

AAx = Augusta Arsenal, x = inspector's last initial
RIA/FK = Rock Island Arsenal, Frank Krack
RA-P = Raritan Arsenal, Harry Peterson
BAWL = Benecia Arsenal, William Lewis
SAAx = San Antonio Arsenal, x = inspector's last initial
O.G.E.K. = Ogden Arsenal, Elmer Keith

to name a few.

J.B.

[RBruce]

It would be helpful to see information like this included on ViShooters '03 web site. Any chance for a collaboration?