My very first 03A3...did I get hosed?

[desertcop204]

First off, Hi! First time posting here. Lots of nifty info...
I just started getting into WW2 era rifles and MAN the amount of detailed info out there is mindboggling. Anyway, on a whim, picked up an 03A3 from a fellow out here and thought I'd post the details and pics and see if I got hosed or came out okay, as honestly, being so new to these rifles, there are so many ways for a newbie to get screwed by missing a minor detail, of which I'm currently a virtual retard for the time being. Then again, I bought it as a shooter, not necessarily for any collector value, but at the same time, the more original it is, the happier I'd be.

It's a Remington with the serial showing the receiver was built in '42, but the barrel (Remington, flaming bomb stamp) shows 4/43, so I'm imagining it's a replacement barrel as I can't envision the receiver being built a year earlier and them not mounting an available barrel. Any chance that it's original or am I right in thinking it's not?

The very top of the bolt handle where it joins the bolt body is stamped REM8620. Didn't know if this was supposed to coincide with the last four of the serial (which it doesn't) or if this is a part/drawing number. All the little pieces are stamped R in various places, including the magazine cutoff, bolt body, sling swivel, stacking swivel, front barrel band, and front sight post, although above the stamp on the post on the actual front sight blade itself is stamped A.

The stock is stamped with the circle P and boxed FJA cartouche along with the crossed cannons. Unfortunately somebody years ago decided to lightly sand the stock for whatever reason, so it's very hard to distinguish this cartouche, as well as the small stamps on the underside of the stock forward of the magazine baseplate. I can't find any markings inside the stock with the exception of what looks like an O stamped in the inside bottom of the stock forward of the rear barrel band, nor can I find anything that looks like an arsenal rebuild stamp, then again, I don't really know what I'm looking for.

Thoughts, opinions?

Information

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[Mike D]

Your receiver dates to July-August, 1943. I'd say the barrel is correct.

The stock might be a Smith Corona. Hard to tell. Does the relief cut for the lower band spring have a oval shape on the right side? It may be sanded, but it is still nice wood.

The A on the front sight blade denotes the height. (A, B, C)

The bolt is a replacement. I think the number is the steel lot.

Did you get hosed? Don't know? Whadya give for it?

It is a nice rifle.

[Griff Murphey]

Looks good. The DCM guns sold in the early 60's were very oil soaked and this stock may have been sanded because of that (not a good solution but many tried it). Most replacement barrels I have seen are dated '44. You probably need someone more expert than myself to opine, but in my opinion, if you paid $650 or under, you did OK.

[desertcop204]

Thanks for the info guys. It was $600. Oh and the relief cut for the barrel band retaining spring is square cut, which I thought was Remington, but wasn't sure.

[Mike D]

Could be an early Rem. stock, then. For $600, I think you did well. Let us know how it shoots.

[desertcop204]

Can't wait to! got this and an M1 I need to sight in. Oh, by the way, what makes the bolt an obvious replacement?

[desertcop204]

The plot now thickens a bit more....I noticed the buttplate is smooth, not checkered. I saw on another post a few pages back the style I have as referred to as the 1917-1920 style buttplate, soooooo, maybe the buttplate is a replacement or it's original to the stock and the stock is from a much earlier 1903? Are 1903 and A3 stocks even interchangeable?

[Kirk]

The stock has cross pins, not stock bolts, to reinforce the stock. These were used from late '42 to mid '43 so they can be used to date the stock.

Pins are bad news. They replaced the use of stock bolts as they were cheaper but they did not last. Pinned stocks are noted for cracking with use; Remington resumed using stock bolts after mid '43 for this reason. If you intend to shoot the rifle much, consider a new CMP stock.

[Rick the Librarian]

As a postscript, the source telling you it was a 1942 receiver is wrong. If it is the one I think, it lists ALL Remington M1903A3s as "1942" and ALL Remington M1903s as "1941." All but a relative handful were manufactured later.

[Chuckindenver]

find a correct buttplate and be happy, find a correct bolt, and be happy:}
the square safety lug is the tell tail sign of being a replacement.
that, and the whole bolt and safety assembly being commercial blued as well.
stock has been refinished, and likely a replacement.
however.
it looks like a nice solid rifle, and worth every penny that you paid for it.
will likely make a great shooter..