Early RA M1903-A3 in details

[Garandrew]

SN 3377569, barrel date 1-43, proofs on barrel, receiver, stock, all photographed.
Bayonet band, [front band] isnt blued, rest of the rifle seems original. Ive shown it before, but never disassembled, any idea about the band, its not overhaul marked.

RA03A3 pictures by AndrewG1957 - Photobucket

Thanks for looking, and comments welcome,,Ive been oiling it tonight.

Andy

Information

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[Bill Hollinger]

Andy, very nice! Thanks for sharing.

[Arisaka99]

Individual parts are not overhaul marked other than the stock. Original arsenal trim was all blued bands for duration of production (never say never), parkerized is likely a replacement part versus signs of a rebuild for the rifle if all else is correct and no rebuild stamp on stock wrist.

[Chief]

the front sight base looks odd to me. It appears to be a 1903 type. Never saw one with a pin in the middle though.
Some acetone might remove those cosmoline stains on the receiver.
Nice rifle, hows the bore look?
regards,
Chief

[Chuckindenver]

nice rifle, great pics,
front sight, bayonet lug, and cocking rod are replacements.
likely field repair, not a rebuild. rifle has seen some sevice for sure.
cleaning with solvent will show that the brown is likely rust. of if your lucky, dried grease..hopefuly the later.
your pics show what iv been saying for years,
the correct color for Remington A3,s is light grey..under the wood line clearly shows this...
isnt green, brown, black ect, its light grey..thanks for sharing.

[Garandrew]

About the front sight, is it possible its a carry over from the RA M1903, as its early? RA used the 1903 parts up, I was told?
It is dried grease, not rust.
Its very early...Im not so sure its not correct?
Andy

[xarmor]

the correct color for Remington A3,s is light grey..under the wood line clearly shows this...
isnt green, brown, black ect, its light grey..thanks for sharing.

Chuck, I think this is another example of what you are describing for color of the parkerization. You can see where the wood line is.

[/IMG]

[xarmor]

I really love rifles with this kind of character! Looks like it has never been messed with and is probably exactly the way it left Remington in 1943. Very nice find, that one is a gem.

[Garandrew]

Heres some more pics for comparison.
Early RA M1903-A3 cartouches, and later RA M1903-A4 cartouches, note large and small bow trigger guards. different cocking pieces, and Im still not sure RA didnt use older RA M1903 parts when assembling the early 03-A3's, hence the cocking piece, and front sight...any other early 1943 A3's to compare it to?
A3 comp pictures by AndrewG1957 - Photobucket
Andy

[xarmor]

I have an early A4 and the cocking piece is the same as yours.