Remington '03A3 Auction Find

[ltcboy]

Hi all,



I live in the Chicagoland area and on 4/24 my neighbor asked me to go to an auction with him. So I went, brought my C&R license and all of my tools for mainly the Garand. This was an auction from somebody's estate and there where 250 lots to be auctioned.



So I perused thru all of the firearms and saw a couple mixmaster M1 Garands, about a half dozen 1917 Enfields (they were parkerized), some M1 Carbines (they were ok, wasnt interested) and then a couple '03's and the rifle that I won.



First off, there had to have been 60 people in the auction gallery. Of the 60 people, there where probably at most 15 people that where registered to bid, including myself. The auction was run with an average of one lot selling every 2-3 minutes. There was no minimum price set on ANYTHING. Guys were walking out with Trapdoor Springfields for $400-$700, and these where nice rifles. I wish I had about $10 in my pocket.



I spotted a Remington and it looked mint. I swear it looks unissued. I immediatley knew I wanted her. So, that lot was the 181st. I had to sit and wait literally for 4 hours. Now in the meantime, a lot of the bidders blew their wad of money and took off. So I finally got to bid on the Remington and I was shocked that I won it and won it for $400.00.



The rifle looks like it was never issued. The muzzle is just under a 1 and the throat is under a 2. The stock has a faint circle P on the bottom and it has the others cartouches in front of the trigger well. The barrel is Remington 1-43. Every part is literally marked with an R. There are some other markings that I will let the experts tell me what they mean. The finish looks like it was just issued, the park job looks like "new old stock". This thing literally sat in a foot locker and then in some guys closet for years. The stock looks like it it was never used, very minor marks. It still has that peach fuzz look to it in some spots and it looks like it needs some oil. I really dont want to do anything to it.



If anybody can confirm what the buttplate is, I would greatly appreciate it. I plan on keeping it as a safe queen. Really dont have the heart to shoot it. Here is the link to see her...





http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/06...t=6f3d28c5.pbw



Thanks in advance-



Mike

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[Mike D]

Nice rifle! The buttplate is Smith-Corona. And I think the stock might be also. I think the "E" on the forend tip denotes SC. Easiest way to tell is to check the inlet for the lower band spring. It will have a rounded shape closest to the muzzle on SC stocks. Rems are flat.

You got an awesome deal!

[Kirk]

Your rifle appears to be refinished, a very common condition. They were refinished after the war & put in storage. Are there any inspection stamps on the stock like a boxed "RIA/EB"? Small parts like the upper & lower bands, shroud, trigger guard, etc., were blued; yours look like a dark park. Your rifle is likely an old DCM sale rifle.

The butt plate is an SC & the stock appears to be as well. It has been sanded, a common rebuild practice.

Sorry to say but the stock tip is split & missing a chip under the upper band. This should be a minor, easy repair.

I can't be sure but it looks like your stock has pins (appear as brass dots under the action about .08" dia) rather than stock bolts. Pinned stocks are famous for splitting in the area behind the recoil lug. You may want to glass bed that area plus where the tang seats to reinforce them. Again, an easy fix and, since your fore end tip has damage, you will not be altering a irreplaceable sock, just making it useable for shooting. Also, make sure there is a metal sleeve in the rear trigger guard hole; it is there to reinforce the wood.

All in all, you got a good deal! The metal looks perfect and should be a good shooter. Now, sight in & find the nearest Springfield Match!

[Arisaka99]

GREAT price. Essentially unused since arsenal refurb and govt. surplus.