Looking for definitive/detailed information on New Zealand 03's

[Thumper]

I have come across a minty 03, early 42 production Remington that appears to be all original, with a NZ stock, but the stock lacks any other markings.

Anyone know of where I can get a book, or internet help to find exact/detailed/correct information on these rifles

Thanks

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.

[Kirk]

John Beard once told me the first 30,000 Remington M1903s were sent to NZ. The rifles were stamped on the butt stock with a NZ, a broad arrow & a 4-digit number. They were not issued & returned after the war.

[Rick the Librarian]

They do not have the red band seen on British M1903s. They are usually completely correct/original.

[Thumper]

I am far from schooled on these, but this thing is minty, as new.

Almost appears to be unfired, all parts are marked R with some blued, some parked.

The only mark on the stock is the NZ and arrow.
No "P" or other inspector marks.
The serial indicates late Jan/early Feb 42.

I am happy with it, just curious why the stock lacks any other cartouches.
Would this be normal?

[Mike Haas]

I am far from schooled on these, but this thing is minty, as new.

Almost appears to be unfired, all parts are marked R with some blued, some parked.

The only mark on the stock is the NZ and arrow.
No "P" or other inspector marks.
The serial indicates late Jan/early Feb 42.

I am happy with it, just curious why the stock lacks any other cartouches.
Would this be normal?

It's not probable that all the 'Original' Remington stock stampings and Cartouches were sanded off so as to be invisable. That being said if your stock lacks evidence of them but does have the N^Z stamp then your stock likely was a replacement stock which was installed/stamped in NZ; usually followed with a stamped #. US Rifles sent to NZ also had spare parts sent for necessary repairs which obviously would have included replacement stocks.

It'd be helpfull to know your rifle serial # and if your stock is a 'grasping groove' or smooth???

To my knowledge there is no known serial # list of Remington 1903's that were sent to NZ. It does appear to me that it was not any sequential grouping of serial #'s.

HTH..Mike Haas

[sakorick]

My rifle SN 21131, 1-42 has the circle P and 4 proof stamps in front of the trigger guard and was certified as correct by John Beard for the CMP. My SN 4295, 11-41 is not NZ marked, has the exact cartouches and I had a discussion with John Beard some years ago and vaguely remember him saying the New Zealand guns fell into the 1-42 and later group.

There is no reason for me to believe the Kiwis sanded the original cartouches for every one that I have ever seen looks identical with the exception of the NZ stampings on the Right side of stock. I also believe the rifles sent to New Zealand were not in a uniform order rather than a random series of SN's. Good luck in your historical development, however, IMHO, John Beard knows more about these than anyone on earth.

There were other transitions going on with these rifles in 1942. The strict requirements for GG stocks and milled parts were waived by the military in early 1942 as the attack on Pearl Harbor changed everything. That said I suspect you may find some of these rifles with a mixmaster of parts both milled and stamped and less hand blue and fitting which required time we didn't have. Regards, Rick.

[Thumper]

Thanks

I have sent photos to Mike Haas and waiting for his reply.

After that, I may try to contact John Beard.


Thanks again

Bob

[Calif-Steve]

John B. is the right guy for this discussion.

[Mike Haas]

Thanks

I have sent photos to Mike Haas and waiting for his reply.

After that, I may try to contact John Beard.


Thanks again

Bob

Sakorick (Rick) 's post essentially mirrors my opinion. I did recieve your excellant photos. I've responded to you asking you to send some additional photos of specific areas on your stock. At this point with the photos I have in hand of your stock I still think it's a "Field Replacement" stock. I absolutely believe your R/S N^Z stamp is entirely legit and I must add further that the 10629 number following the N^Z stamp is the highest # I have yet seen.

John Beard is a much better "Go-To" guy than I on this. Hopefully he'll chime in. Meanwhile I'm waiting for your second batch of pictures....Mike Haas

[Thumper]

Mike they are on the way to you, will do them right away

Thanks again Bob