1903A3 Remington new purchase

[Bearstopper]

Been wanting a Garand or an 03A3 and ran across the latter on another forum. The guy shipped it to me yesterday and I already received it today even though I hadn't even mailed him the money order until this morning. As an in same state shipment it could legally come directly to my door. I noticed a few "discrepancies" in the photos but it looked good enough for my purposes and novice eye but I wanted some input for the heck of it. It is mostly parked where it should be and blued where it should be with 3 possible exceptions, at least that I can tell. The knurled cocking piece is green parked where the rest of the bolt is blue, the bayonet band appears to be parked or the blue is gone one or the other as well as the stacking band. The 4 groove barrel is dated 12-43, very clean bore, and the original owner stated rifle was manufactured in Jan 44. The stock is very nice but I am unconvinced that it is original to this gun. It has the cross bolts that are the pin style, it has a boxed FJA in the normal location but I don't see anything else near it. On the bottom it has a P within a circle and a much fainter circle closer to the floor plate with what looks like an F in it but could be a repeat of the R stamp??? . Farthest behind the floor plate is what I would describe as an upside down V. In front of the floor plate are 3 stamps, one triangle, one rectangle, one circle and I cannot make out the numbers. And last and the real controversy is a heavy 4 digit stamp on the rear right side of the stock that does not match the serial number. serial number is 4177336 and the stock number is 6995. The stock looks way nicer in person with a darker more even color. I just wanted a nice shooter and I am happy with it as is but am interested in the details as usual. Link to original sale with pics.

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[Rick the Librarian]

The stock was originally fitted to an earlier Remington M1903A3. Stock pins were used (instead of stock bolts) until about mid-summer, 1943. The markings you mention on the stock (four digit number on the butt) are evidence that the stock, at least was used on a M1903A3 sent to Greece after WWII and sold through the CMP about 10-12 years ago.

Whether the stock was just added or was part of the rifle as it was sold from CMP, would be determined by posting some pictures. The second "circled" letter near the circled P is evidence the rifle was inspected or overhauled at a later time.

A correct stock for a late M1903A3 would have an FJA, an RA (for Remington Arms), a ordnance "wheel" stamp and stock bolts.

Whether the statement about "original wood" was the result of ignorance or not on the part of the seller is your guess.

[Bearstopper]

It is not accepting the pictures when I try to add them.

[Rick the Librarian]

Make sure you're uploading them to an online photosite, like Photobucket or Fototime (there are many more).

[Bearstopper]

[Johnny Peppers]

The barrel, receiver, and safety should be phosphate finished, everything else blue.

[Bearstopper]

This gun shoots great with handloads. Using Hornady 150 gr soft points I put together a load that shoots a couple inches high at 100 yards using the lowest sight setting. From the bench the first 4 shots went 3 into an MOAish group and the other shot went a couple of inches higher so hopefully that was me. I will not even sweat correcting this rifle at all since it seems to shoot fabulous. The knurled cocking handle is the wrong finish as may be the bayonet band. It has a SC bolt and stock and a Remington buttplate. Also the greek numbering on the buttstock does not match the serial number nor is it marked on the bolt.It is, however exactly what I wanted as far as an excellent shooter that still has a historical connection to it. I have always wanted one of these but now I see the love for all the other milsurp bolt action rifles of other nationalities! Hard to beat the interesting history of the two world wars.

[Rick the Librarian]

If the rifle dates to December, 1943, the stock should have stock bolts, not pins.

[Bearstopper]

SC stock, Remington action/barrel. Who knows if the barrel is even original as it is pretty new looking.

[Rick the Librarian]

The stock also came from a Greek M1903A3, as well. The digits should match the last four digits of the serial number.