03a4 dcm

[ranger]

Good Evening All,
I have my eye on a 03a4 that someone dressed up as a 03a3. The reciever has all the correct stampings but the sights were put back on and it has a milled trigger guard and floor plate. The gentleman that has it stated it was an early DCM rifle and he never changed it. Plus he never mentioned the 03a4 reciever..
Anyone have any ideas on the early DCM rifles ???
Thanks for your help.
Richard

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[rayg]

A few questions. apparently it now has a front sight on it so you don't know if the barrel is parked under the sight. What is the serial # and barrel date?
Is the bolt an original A4 bolt?
Also what kind of stock is on it? Is it cut out for the bent bolt handle?
I have a M73b1 scope with mount and rings as well as a 1903A4 "C" (pistol grip), stock and I'm been looking for for a barreled 1903A4 action to put together. Ray

[ranger]

Thanks for the Quick response rayg..
I didn't make a big fuss over it at the time, I was more curious than anything.
I didn't copy the ser. # but I believe the barrel was marked RA 8/43.. Didn't notice the bolt shape nor the
stock cut out. The stock was the scant style and original
finish. At the time I wasn't trying to authenticate it's
pedigree ( I already knew it wasn't correct ) I was only interested in it's overall usability and barrel condition..
I'm looking to build a 03a4 for competition and this is a heck of a good start..
Funny you shoud mention the stock, I have a 100% original, unmolested 03a3 with a scant stock, with the
bolt handle recess relieved for a 03a4 bolt....?????
The man also had a Smith Corona 03a3 with the same trigger guard and floor plate, That too was an early DCM.
Regards
Richard

[JGaynor]

Ranger some of the "A4"s that have shown up on CMP auctions in recent years also showed signs of having been converted back to A3's.

Typically there is no scope base, the metallic sights have been reinstalled (possibly rebarrelled -but a lot of A4's had Aug and Sept 43 barrels) and the stock is an A3 as well.

Its possible the DCM released some rifles in similar condition. The way the DCM operated was strictly the luck of the draw. You should ask the owner if he still has the govt shipping documents. It would be interesting to see if the A4 is described as one or as an A3.


The pic by the way of 3424986 a CMP auction rifle from a few years back.

Regards,

Jim