Hello everyone!

[Chris B.]

I have an early remington 1903 3,025,xxx that I have a couple of questions about. It has all the right features and markings except for one item that has caused some confusion. The stock has no finger grooves, FJA cartouche, P on the grip, small stamps in front of the trigger. Some people say that Mr. Attwood could have been on this rifle, and others say it is not the correct stock! The barrel is 12-41, reciever seems to be 2-42. It is deffinatly and 03 stock. Any help would be appreciated.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[John Beard]

Your rifle is fitted with a replacement stock. The original stock may or may not have had grasping grooves. Your rifle was made during the transition away from grasping grooves. And the original stock also had a boxed "RLB" inspection stamp. "FJA" came much later and would not be original to your rifle.

Your rifle's receiver was serialized in 12-41 or 1-42 at about the same time your barrel was dated. So, you have no real mismatch.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Chris B.]

Thank you for the help. Now I will be looking for the correct stock. Are there any members that have stocks that they are willing to sell?

Chris

[Rick the Librarian]

RLB grasping groove stocks are extremely hard to come by. When they are available, they often sell in the $400-600 range, depending on condition. A non-GG RLB stock is much less so, but still pricy. Make sure to find a boxed RLB marked stock; the "spread" non-boxed RLB dates to a later time (although not as late as FJA).

[Chris B.]

It may be a nice enough gun to warrant the price. I will keep my eyes open. What would this boxed FJA stock be correct on?

[Rick the Librarian]

1. A late Remington M1903 (if the stock doesn't have the cuts for the 03A3 handguard ring - with stock bolts

2. (As above but with stock pins - also for the later Remington M1903, but later than #1)

3) An early Remington M1903A3 with stock pins and the cuts for the 03A3 handguard ring

4) A Smith-Corona M1903A3 (with handguard rings).

[Chris B.]

Just noticed the hand guard rings. It does have the pins, not the bolts. Would the smith corona have the pins? I have a nice smith corona that needs a "correct" stock, it currently has a c stock on it from a springfield. It looks like I will have some good trading stock anyway!

[Rick the Librarian]

A Smith Corona stock would have the following characteristics (yes, itt could have pins):

1) Look at the recess for the lower band spring (the thin, flat piece of metal just forward of the lower[middle] band) - the end nearest the muzzle should be rounded; if squared off, the stock is a Remington

2) If a "circle P" is still present just aft of the trigger guard, it should measure 1/2" in diameter (Remington M1903/M1903A3 stocks were 7/16")

[Chris B.]

Yep, the slot is rounded twoards the muzzle and the P is 1/2". Do you know of anyone in Washington state that would be a good source for parts / stocks on these guns?

[Rick the Librarian]

What are you looking for? Have parts I sell. PM or email me.

RtL