1903 with Sedgely USMC 9-41 barrel

[Chuckindenver]

ok, gotta be honest...having a problem buying the wrench mark thing as being USMC.
iv seen waaaaay to many bubba jobs done with a pipe wrench to make this one sit well.
my barrel vise is GI issue, and likely a field use model. and its never ever left a mark on anyones rifle.
my vice is likely 1918 to 1930 vintage.

[Calif-Steve]

My Uncle, now deceased, was a mechanic and avid hunter and did 19 and 6 in the Navy. He told me years ago they used to change barrels aboard ships in the Pacific in WWII. I didn't bother to ask what sort of vise they used. The larger aircraft carriers could do all sorts of mechaical work and changing a barrel would have been quite easy.

[Jim Tarleton]

ok, gotta be honest...having a problem buying the wrench mark thing as being USMC.
iv seen waaaaay to many bubba jobs done with a pipe wrench to make this one sit well.
my barrel vise is GI issue, and likely a field use model. and its never ever left a mark on anyones rifle.
my vice is likely 1918 to 1930 vintage.

Chuck,

They are not pipe wrench marks, they are Navy 3-jaw pipe vise marks, and there should be six distinct longitudinal evenly spaced lines about one to two inches in front of the RSFB. The Navy may have assisted in the work, but they were Marine rifles and quite commonly encountered.

Jim

[cherokee5425]

Ok, I'm looking into buying a Remington 1903. Barrel is marked USMC, 2-44. After reading about the bent barrel thing I'm worried about it. I'm going to go to my dealers and look down the bore to see if it has any rings in it. I've been wanting a 1903 for a long time and don't want my lust for one blind me to a Junker. I have to ask, what is a Hatcher Hole? Do you think it's a legit 1903, it also worries me that there are no cartouches on the stock. Thanks for your help

[Calif-Steve]

A 2-44 would likely not be a true USMC rifle. Very common post WWII surplus barrel. Very different story for a 1941 dated barrel. Now, understand lots of Remington M1903's ended up in the Navy. So do take a very close look at this one. Try to drop a .32acp case down the barrel from the chamber. It should easily fall out, if it gets hung up mid way down the bore be worried. Smooth buttplate? Finally price, how much ? Good luck.

[cherokee5425]

I am going to stop and take pictures of it tonight and give it a better lookover. I'll see if I can get a .32 acp case to drop down the bore. How would one know if it's a U.S Navy one?Their asking $700.00

[emmagee1917]

I would just LOVE to see you put a .336 OD 32acp case down a .300 land ID bore with nothing short of a hydraulic ram .
Chris

[Calif-Steve]

Ouch, doing this off of my memory. Forget the .32acp trick. Try this instead, look down the bore from the breech. Do you see a shadow half way down the bore? If so, try a clean rod with a cotton swab. Is there resistance half way down? I honestly do not know of any way to tell a US Navy '03. I recall 8-9 years back at Camp Perry. CMP was selling '03 receivers. All out of Crane, all with Hatcher Hole. I got a 900,000 receiver, I suspect it was US Navy, but no way to prove it. Get some photos. Also, $700.00 is high end for a common '03. Gotta be special.

[cherokee5425]

Ok, stopped by my dealers for closer look today. It is a Remington s/n 3065009. It has the Hatcher Hole, bolt is not marked with s/n,only mark on the stock is a "K" at the end under muzzle. I shined a light in the barrel,it looks like a ring but not 100% sure as I have never really seen one. I just had a "leave it pass" feeling as didn't seem right.