Remington 03A4 1st post

[larryhoosier]

Okay, you guys talked me into it! I recently upgraded my collection with the addition of this beauty.



It is an original 03A4 receiver made in 7-43 with barrel in 6-43.





I'm no expert but it seems to have had a front sight on it at some time? Maybe it came (CMP?) sans scope and someone put front sight on to shoot it? Doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for it one bit.

Scope is an early one with the wire crosshairs and electro-penciled "M73B1" & serial number on the right side, in great condition.



With the help of a kind and patient range master I've got it sighted in pretty well. I don't plan on shooting it much but I just had to get sighted in!

Sorry, I just realized that I don't have a photo of the stock markings. Left wrist has crossed cannons, "RA", and "FJA". Pistol grip has "P" and there is at least one very faint(spl?) mark forward of trigger guard on bottom of stock.

Information

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[Neal Myers]

Sounds like you have an original stock, based on the markings. The front sight corrosion suggests that a previous owner installed an 03A3 barrel, possibly due to damage or alteration of the barrel installed by the military.

No A4's were sold by CMP with scopes (1 exception: an M84 on an auction rifle). Grade A rifles had the sight mount installed, grade B did not have a sight mount. Yours is probably the latter, as the military would have shimmed the front of the mount & staked the screws.

I can't see enough detail to tell if yours has original finish parts, or has been rebuilt.

[JGaynor]

Commented on this rifle in another forum the barrel has cetain attributes that suggest it is original. BUT still waiting to hear on the serial number.
Larryhoosier is there a steel shim under the front of the scope base?

As Neal suggests more pics always help.

A photoguide for the A4 is included.

Regards,
Jim

[larryhoosier]

Here is a photo of the rcvr serial marking.



Jim, there is no shim under the scope mount. I should also make it clear that my concern about the front sight area was not the dark "gook" in the channel, that was dried grease or cosmo and cleaned right out. My concern was some slight compression marking (abrasion shininess if that makes sense?) in the park where a front sight would have been installed.
Thank you for your input and attention to my posts.

[larryhoosier]

I finally had a lightbulb come on over my head Jim. I was looking for shims between the mount and rings, duh! There appears to be not one but two shims under the front mount between mount and receiver, but I don't get where they would be "staked"?
Also forgive my double post, I couldn't find a way to simply edit my prior post. I know it is probably easy but you already have me pegged as a slow-learner by my actions.

[Neal Myers]

The armorers used several different thickness shims to get sufficient elevation in the front.


The 2 screws holding the mount to the receiver should have a staking punch depression on the edge of each screw.

Neal

[daveboy]

This is what is meant by "staked". You can see how a punch was used to strike the mounting screw and the mount which in effect locks them together.

daveboy

Attachment 43049

[larryhoosier]

Thanks Neal and Daveboy. I haven't had the guts to take the scope off so that would explain the confusion on my part. Good pics by both of you fellows, a picture is worth way more than 1,000 words on such occasions.

[Neal Myers]

Note the punch mark on the top of the mount near the LEFT adjustment screw. This means that, if you want to remove the scope, remove only the RIGHT adjustment screw.

Neal

[JGaynor]

Larry thanks for the additional pics and information.
I have a few more questions:
1. Is the word "REDFIELD" stamped on the right rear quarter of the scope base?
2. Are the Initials "FJA" enclosed in a rectangular surround or open?
3. A closeup picture of the scope markings would be useful if possible (thats the electro-penciled markings on the side of the tube).

i don't think your rifle came from CMP. DCM possibly but not CMP.

Regards,
Jim