Assembly of my 1903A3 C Stock Clone

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

This is probably my 1st post over here, as I'm usually wasting time on that other site! I posted this over there as well, but started to think it may or may not be more appreciated over here.
I wanted a C stocked 1903 A3 for some time, but couldn't find one this side of the border. So after purchasing a sporterized 03 that wasn't too butchered, I set to building one on a Boyds stock. Things got down right messy when my basement flooded out last April, so this project got put on hold half way through. Finally completed this week here are some of the pics of the assembly.

Here's how it started out:


Some pics of the initial fitting:
















The Boyds stock was pretty much finished & only required minimal sanding. The hand guard that was originally going to be used got swapped out with an original. When it came to the tung oil finish I was using, I couldn't get a decent colour match to the 1st one. So in hast I grabbed a donor from another A3 that needed work & with a bit of Min Wax stain as tint, got a better match. During the assembly I started swapping out some of the original hardware that I was going to use for this rifle with other Remington stamped parts that I had at hand. The swivel bands & some of the screws are courtesy of a couple different companies out of the U.S. Here are a couple of pics half way through.





After a bit of swearing, I finally came to the realization. That although not totally perfect, none probably were. As the factories churned these rifles out as fast & as cheaply as they could to support the war effort. Here are some more pics of the completed rifle with final notes bellow:

















The inspector cartouche was Lt. Col. Waldemar Broberg an ordnance inspector from 1941 to 1942. Intentionally marked incorrectly, as to not having it past off as an original to a collector if it ever leaves my hands. Boyds stamp that was in the barrel channel of the stock was also left on. The stock has been stamped with the inspector mark, ordnance wheel, flaming bomb and a proof mark behind the trigger guard. It is my understanding that some of these rifles were built with C stocks initially during production, but scant stocks were used soon there after. Another cost saving measure I presume. Most of the C stock A3 were built from arsenal refurbs for non active use or competition after the war. A side note: I used Sunwax for the final polish with minimal fuse & was quite happy with the results. You can find it at Rona Hardware stores, but it isn't cheap! Anyhow I've probably rambled on for long enough & haven't told you anything new. Hope you enjoyed it. -Dances

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[Stevo]

Nice. Does the Boyd's stock match the original stock profile?

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

The Stock is a little longer than a S stock, but I think the original was as well. I have an A4 clone I purchased about a year ago & I suspect that may be a Boyds stock as well, but I'm not a 100% sure. The Boyds stock matched pretty much spot on with the hand guard & the assembly of the action in the stock was dirt easy. The spring retainer hole for the back swivel band was drilled perfectly in the right spot, as well the drilled holes for the forward band, butt plate & trigger guard. Not having a known original to compare it to is a problem, but I'd say it's got to be close to perfect.

[Polock]

You did a great job on the rifle! I especially like the way the stock turned out--the cartouches are a nice touch. Also, love the nice green receiver/front band.

Used to be one could find 03 and/or 03/A3 sporters that were correct as far as metal was concerned & could be restored fairly easily/cheaply. NOt anymore, at least that I have seen--

[irishsteve]

Looks super.You really did rescue this rifle.Sporter stock is scary.Something to think about if you havent shot it yet.You might want to releave the area around the rear receiver tag a bit.On the CMP forum one of the guys with a new C stock put his together tight in this area,and the recoil chipped the top of the wrist.If you have a original rifle to look at it will give you an idea of how much they beveled the upper edge away from the tag.

[xarmor]

Very nice job. Takes some serious skill and patience to bring a rifle back to its former glory!

[Chuckindenver]

ok, i have to ask, why the Winchester WB on the side? why not FJA RA??
looks like Boyds is getting better, they still need to open up the back area of the tang, thats a safety area for the stock.

[Droodog127]

Nice job on the new wood, I do like the two-tone sporter though!

[rborecky]

the stock is fake and know amount of playing wiht the samping will fix that. I coold easily make that stamp look real and remove the boyds markings. fake is fake and thats fact!

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Looks super.You really did rescue this rifle.Sporter stock is scary.Something to think about if you havent shot it yet.You might want to releave the area around the rear receiver tag a bit.On the CMP forum one of the guys with a new C stock put his together tight in this area,and the recoil chipped the top of the wrist.If you have a original rifle to look at it will give you an idea of how much they beveled the upper edge away from the tag.

Thanks for the info. I will check it out on my days off & let you know what I have to do & how much to relieve it.