new member, w a new project

[learjet]

thought id say hello, and post some pix of my latest project. sporter 1903a3 i stumbled on in a shop i frequent from time to time. im hopin to bring her back to some semblance of her former self, but dont plan on trying to make her something she will never be again..

a few pix:







and heres the modest collection she'll be joinin. kinda a jack of all trades gang, no super rare pieces, but all nice representative examples



my plan for the 03a3 is simply to find a decent stock set, and the remaining metal parts i need. id rather buy the metal from 1 place, where i can see the finish and condition.

btw she has a remy bolt, and if it headspaces i dont plan on changing it

thx for the info on 1903a3s ive already found, im sure ill have some questions soon!

lear

Information

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[Chief]

Well it looks like all you're going to need is a good stock. handguard and the stock metal.. start will Bill Ricca for the stock metal. As to stocks, I'm not sure of a source for original A3 stocks. Someone here might have one, check the trader or put up an ADV.
Nice project. If you're lucky someone will want that sporter stock.
regards,
Chief

[Arisaka99]

Bolt body (X on top) appears to be SC; rear portion is Remington. Barrel and receiver are original match. Nice looking piece and a great candidate for restoration!

You might want to separate your Enfields... they seem to be out-breeding your other rifles. The small "baby" one on the right being proof... (smile). I like the family of 98s!

[gunluvver]

Original replacement scant stocks are fairly common. I've seen them on e-bay and elsewhere. I may know someone who would be interested in the stock. Let me know what it's worth to you.

[learjet]

thx for the tips...until reading on B Riccas site i had no idea so many aftermarket parts were out there, it certainly will spice up the search a bit. im considering gettin a used GI stock from Numrich, i know everyones results w them varies, but the set they sent me looked like a creasote log, till i cleaned it up, then it was very durn nice. the rest of the parts...i dunno yet. are there any good links to proofs, finishes, and markings by manufacturer or rebuild arsenal out there? if not whats a good book? im not terribly interested in 'matching parts, but id like to at least match finishes where appropriate, and not have any glaring issues w the parts i choose.

hehe i got into enfields first, since they were cheap to collect, and theres so many cool variations out there. the n1mk3 is actually a n1mk1, w a 1909 date...3 years after my books tell me the n1mk1 was discontinued. a british collector figures mebbe it was a commercial or reject reciever pressed into service during a shortage during ww1, or possibly a home guard rifle during ww2. it then served in the austrian police force post ww2.

i like the mausers best, freakin germans mark everything till near the end. the GEW is a 1903 amberg sterngewehr, and is my current favorite. bolt mismatch that was probably never assembled in Bavaria, but at the prussian arsenal during the tough times for the germans in ww1.

the US stuff is kinda pricey, but ive been watching for a 1903 and a carbine the speak to me hehe..

btw none are import marked, thats one restriction i place on myself to keep me from buyin too many

gunluvver the sporter stock has no value to me, it ur friends for shipping cost if he wants it. of course if hes got any scraps i need for this project ill takem.

thx again guys!

lear

[Rick the Librarian]

I don't know, I think the Brits did a pretty good job of marking everything in sight! I used to say a No. 1 Mk. III and a copy of Skennerton's book on the Enfield could keep you entertained all night!

[gunluvver]

gunluvver the sporter stock has no value to me, it ur friends for shipping cost if he wants it. of course if hes got any scraps i need for this project ill takem.

thx again guys!

lear

Thank you sir! I have a brand new NOS handguard with your name on it, and here's a link to some reasonably priced parts. BE CAREFUL of repros, Numrich sent me repros for the rear handguard ring and bayonet band, but I got a NIW Smith Corona buttplate for my SC 03A3. PM on the way for your addy!

Hoosier Gun Works : Online Catalog : Gun Parts : Military - 1903/1917/Krag

[learjet]

hey thx for the tip!...ill get the stock out early next week. the handguard will help!

lear