Question about stamped parts on Remington Model 1903

[prez1981]

I just purchased a Remington Model 1903 with 10/42 barrel date in the 3270000 serial number range. It appears to be all Remington and has quite a few stamped 03A3 parts, as is to be expected. The stamped parts include the rear band and swivel, the butt sling swivel and base, triggerguard (small bow blued), follower, and buttplate. I have seen all of those stamped parts on later Remington Model 1903's before, but I don't recall seeing a picture of a stamped buttplate on a late Remington Model 1903. Would this have been original or a later part swap? Rifle doesn't appear to be messed with or have any rebuild markings.

Thanks in advance!

Information

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[JGaynor]

If the degree of wear on the metal parts is consistant and if the stock has the appropriate factory inspection and acceptance marks i would assume the rifle is probably original.
Anything is possible of course but the BP is a pretty robust part. IMO hard to seeing it be replaced unless the rest of the rifle showed signs of being used hard (or totally rebuilt).

Regards,

Jim

[Calif-Steve]

I have seen a VERY few Army museum Remington M1903's with stamped lower barrel band. Remington had lots of milled parts for its M1903 run. I would guess the previous owner swapped out the parts.

[Rick the Librarian]

I would say the lower band might be original (depending on finish) but the buttplate is a replacement.

[prez1981]

Thanks. Lower band is blued. It's completely disassembled right now, but will post pictures once I have cleaned it.

[John Beard]

I just purchased a Remington Model 1903 with 10/42 barrel date in the 3270000 serial number range. It appears to be all Remington and has quite a few stamped 03A3 parts, as is to be expected. The stamped parts include the rear band and swivel, the butt sling swivel and base, triggerguard (small bow blued), follower, and buttplate. I have seen all of those stamped parts on later Remington Model 1903's before, but I don't recall seeing a picture of a stamped buttplate on a late Remington Model 1903. Would this have been original or a later part swap? Rifle doesn't appear to be messed with or have any rebuild markings.

Thanks in advance!

Your rifle correctly has a stamped buttplate.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Mike D]

Your rifle correctly has a stamped buttplate.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

Would not a milled BP also be correct for that serial range?

[John Beard]

Would not a milled BP also be correct for that serial range?

Inasmuch as Remington assembly practices were quite helter-skelter, a milled buttplate cannot be ruled out as being correct. But the overwhelming majority of rifles by that serial range were fitted with stamped buttplates.

J.B.

[Emri]

I have a Remington in the same serial # range and same bbl. date with the same stamped parts as yours has.

FWIW,

Emri

[prez1981]

Thanks for all the help. I've started cleaning it up and it's turning out to be really nice. Bore is about perfect and metal is 90-95% with strong stock cartouches.

I found another with the same barrel date (a little higher SN) listed for sale online with all the same stamped parts, but couldn't see the buttplate.

I'm feeling really good about this one, and the price was about right too.