1903 parts lot received

[Calfed]

I recently won a parts lot at auction. A 1903 or A3 stock, 1903 barrel and a .308 Mauser barreled action and stock.

It arrived and I was able to get a better look at the items.


I think the stock may be a Smith Corona. I say this because it has faint inspection stamps in front of the trigger guard, including a diamond shape

and the band spring cut out seems rounded

It appears to have ben through Rock Island at one time


The barrel is a Springfield 4-42 in great shape--bore is shiny, rifling is strong and gauges a "0" on the CMP muzzle gauge.

Information

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[Midmichigun]

Calfed,
LOL! I think you are bragging!
Nice catch! Sounds like you got some good items for your efforts!

[John Beard]

The stock is a CMP Greek return. And it is indeed a Smith-Corona stock.

For your info.

J.B.

[Calfed]

Calfed,
LOL! I think you are bragging!

Well..maybe a little , and thanks.

[Calfed]

The stock is a CMP Greek return. And it is indeed a Smith-Corona stock.

For your info.

J.B.

Thanks, John. What was the tip-off that it was a Greek return? I wondered if it was a Greek return, because of a number stamped on the buttstock. Here is a picture of the number that I didn't post. It is very similar to a number stamped on a Remington M1903 stock that was also identified as being a Greek return.

[John Beard]

Thanks, John. What was the tip-off that it was a Greek return? I wondered if it was a Greek return, because of a number stamped on the buttstock. Here is a picture of the number that I didn't post. It is very similar to a number stamped on a Remington M1903 stock that was also identified as being a Greek return.

The tipoffs were (1) the dark greasy condition of the wood, (2) the "RIA/EB" inspection stamp, and (3) the Greek "X". The 4-digit Greek number is just further confirmation.

J.B.

[Calfed]

Although not strictly "military", thought I would add this:

The barreled Mauser action turned out to be pretty nice too--It is a converted military action. I was a little leery of it, because it was so highly polished and blued, that I couldn't tell the make, but was finally able to make out the manufacturer on the rail--FN


It has a Timney trigger and what looks like a Timney low safety. The turn down on the military bolt is one of the nicest jobs I've seen. It has been D&T'd.


I can't identify the barrel, but it is a 6 groove, 24" barrel measuring .650" at the bore, 1.22" at the receiver end and .975" at the end of the chamber taper. It seems like a "heavy sporter" or a "light varmint" contour.



The stock looks nicer than it is..

[John Beard]

As I recall, FN made some Mauser military rifles in the 1950's that were chambered (or re-barreled) for 7.62 mm NATO (.308 Win). One of the alterations was notching the rear of the receiver ring to clear the bullet point. You appear to have one of those.

Some of the FN rifles ended up in the hands of the Israelies.

J.B.

[Calfed]

Thanks, John.

I received a .308 field gauge today and checked the headspace. The bolt would not close, so it appears good to shoot.

I also ordered an inexpensive Butler Creek Mauser stock to put this in and will add some optics. I'll post a range report as soon as I can.

[Calfed]

A stock for the Mauser finally arrived from Midway today and it fits nicely. It is a Hogue overmolded with pillar bedding. Might need to trim just a hair of the rubber overmolding around the top of the barrel with an exacto knife