MY 1903 or 1903A3 ? (1943)

[anatolija]

Hello to all old members,

Is my rifle a 1903 or a 1903A3 ? I couldnt match the date of production, producer and rear sight trio...

This is a Remington, from the serial; produced in 1943 (Excuse me 1942) ...

Was there this type of rear sight at that time period ?

It has a C type stock

Regards...

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

You have a Remington M1903 - the likely manufacturing date is about September, 1942; if the barrel date is 9-42, which it appears in the partial picture, the barrel is original. The stock is a replacement, and the rifle appears to have been refinished. The rear sight is correct. The M1903A3 had a ramp-type rear sight mounted on the rear receiver bridge.

The trigger guard and maybe the handguard is also a replacement.

[anatolija]

Thank you so much, Rick the Librarian,

Yes 9-42,

43 was my mistake...

I got this rifle with two stocks, one is this, the other one is straight first type one .

But I did not know which one originally matches...

If it is refurbished in a arsenal, it is possible. All parts have R stamps...

But I got it from the first owner, a UN veteran of Korea, and he said that this is a present of a US commander to him, and nobody never fired with this rifle since Korean War ( I am also not yet ! )

Now I understand from you , 1903 and A3 produced paralelly for some time...

[Johnny Peppers]

The first owner was the U.S. military, and no commander had the authority to give away military property, especially weapons. Starting about 1943 a Brigadier General was presented a pistol upon attaining that rank, and when he retired he had the option to either purchase the pistol or it had to be turned back in.

[Calif-Steve]

Buy the gun, not the story. It has been recently re-parkerized and someone put new wood on it. Nice rifle.

[JGaynor]

Hello to all old members,

Is my rifle a 1903 or a 1903A3 ? I couldnt match the date of production, producer and rear sight trio...

This is a Remington, from the serial; produced in 1943 (Excuse me 1942) ...

Was there this type of rear sight at that time period ?

It has a C type stock

Regards...

Neither - It's an M1903A1 Although the M1903A1 pistol grip "Keystone" stock is almost certainly a replacement. Any idea what the extra holes in the receiver bridge were for? sporter peep sight maybe?

Regards,
Jim

[anatolija]

Thanks to all members informed me.

I have both type of stocks now. But this is more comfort.

I dont have any idea for that hole marks.

But I ordered B-Square no gunsmithing mount, and I have a Leupold Alaskan 6x, I am planning to use with it.

Thanks and regards again.

[TDH]

The first owner was the U.S. military, and no commander had the authority to give away military property, especially weapons. Starting about 1943 a Brigadier General was presented a pistol upon attaining that rank, and when he retired he had the option to either purchase the pistol or it had to be turned back in.

You are correct but that don't mean it didn't happen. This is just a story but it's possible.
The time is 1952 and the place is Korea. From the gentlemans name and the way he writes I would guess possibly greek and since there were Greeks serving with the UN in Korea the story goes a small Greek outfit hooks up with an American unit just before or during a nasty fight. A Greek soldier saves the life of the company C.O. and his weapon is destroyed during the fight and the C.O. gives him the rifle so he could keep fighting.
It's a story that could have happened.

[anatolija]

You are correct but that don't mean it didn't happen. This is just a story but it's possible.
The time is 1952 and the place is Korea. From the gentlemans name and the way he writes I would guess possibly greek and since there were Greeks serving with the UN in Korea the story goes a small Greek outfit hooks up with an American unit just before or during a nasty fight. A Greek soldier saves the life of the company C.O. and his weapon is destroyed during the fight and the C.O. gives him the rifle so he could keep fighting.
It's a story that could have happened.

Thank you, dear TDH,

I also agree with Johnny Peppers, the law is law. But I think field conditions were different.

You guessed very close to the correct. We are neighbour with Greece.

Turkish Brigade

Best Regards...

[TDH]

The Turks were a heck of an outfit from what I've heard and read. I I also agree with the other gentlemen. Buy the gun not the story. And you are welcome.