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1903A4 SC barrel
Came across a 1903A4 with a SC barrel 12-42. After taking off the handguard I found the markings on the top of the barrel RBLT. O.B.S. 3 with 9. 4. 45. under it. The rifle and all it's parts had been parked, replacement stock and HG. It came to me at a gun show from a retired Marine. I didn't get any story with it but that he got it from an older Marine that had given him some weapons he had had from WW2.
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07-02-2019 12:03 PM
# ADS
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Originally Posted by
RC20
Old thread but some added details. This is the third one I know of, all done in 1945.
As it makes no sense they would be rebuild 1903A3 (let alone they wern't used enough to wear out) as well as the one I owned was pristine, I believe OBS3 was rebuilding them to send back with GI to the states.
Who knows if they were selling them and or by using up spare parts.
Is the barrel SC as well as the receiver? Two others were R receivers with SC barrels. Mine had 1 MW and TE.
The barrel is SC from March 43 so based on receiver date of 1/43, I believe this to be original. I thought I read somewhere that A3's was used more than we think due to the initial shortage of M1's in the field. I don't recall where this was..believe it was based on photos of the field with A3's being seen. Anyway, it is peculiar why it was rebuilt, but could have been left in the mud, covered in blood, damaged stock, million reasons. The individual I purchased the rifle from said his dad was issued the rifle, no reason to think a 80+ year old veteran would lie about it at that point in his life. Don't think the feds are searching out illegally brought back weapons. He also had is 1911, that went to the other son. I have not spent much time on this of late, life tends to get in the way, but with some free time now I may look into it a bit more.
Thanks for the feedback and any help is greatly appreciated!!
Last edited by Winch61; 04-15-2020 at 12:19 PM.
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