WTK: 1903A3 Redfield Base Mount

[md66948]

Here are some pictures of the 1903A3/A4 and the 1941 Johnson Rifle. I did not clean the 1903. It is in the same condition as when we purchased it last Wednesday. I will post more pictures after I clean it.

I did wipe down the Johnson before taking these pictures.

[emmagee1917]

If you want to return the Johnson to mil-spec , you can send the bbl to Joseph Scott and he can put on the bayo lug and correct style front sight. He is recovering from eye problems and hopes to be able to turn out a run of reproduction barrels in a month or two . That would be a second option open to you.
Chris

[md66948]

Thank You emmagee1917! I will discuss that with my son as an option. We actually invested in the Johnson to flip.

Dane

[JGaynor]

As you have been informed the receiver markings and serial number range positively identifies your rifle as an A4. The barrel date is consistent with other A4's in that range so the so the barrel is most likely the original.

The AA mark is a depot rebuild mark which is quite common on A4's encountered today. Since the mark has been partially sanded out the stock may have been subsequently refinished.
If the rifle had come back in someones duffle bag the stock would have different markings, the bolt would be blued or black oxide and more than likely it would show some more signs of use.

Its a nice find and you should know that all A4's were marked "03-A3" the intention being that if they were not accurate enough for sniper duty standard iron sights could be installed and they would be issued as "03-A3" 's.

Regards,
Jim

[Neal Myers]

That's a really nice rebuild, fresh from the arsenal. I would guess it is a "Condition A" rifle sold by CMP in their 1999 lottery. If so, they will be able to send you a letter to that effect for a nominal charge.

It looks like your next project will be to find a correct scope & rings. Note that most of the mounting base screws are staked (dimple on the base); do not attempt to remove these screws. The only screw meant for user adjustment is the right windage adjustment screw.



Also note the shims under the front of the base; they were arsenal installed & you don't want to risk having them fall out.



Neal

[JGaynor]

Neil, it's not on the CMP 1999 inventory that was posted on SRS. Possibly its a DCM rifle. DCM released several batches of A4's during the 60's. Also the "AA" appears to have been sanded.

Regards,
Jim

[smlemon]

The shim story goes a lot deeper. As the Weavers, Lymans and M82s all had elevation adjustments, the shims were not there for them. The shims were used when Alaskans with no internal adjustments were used (I have 2 one mint in box, the second NIB w/all papers) The shims were used to correct elevation and came in an envelope of 6 different thicknesses. They were smooth not lined like the one in the photo and covered the whole bottom of the base with a screw hold for the front screw. Rifles were battle zeroed at 400 yards with the shims for elevation and the Redfield screws for windage. More rugged, waterproof (no turrets to leak) and far better optics than the Weaver. Have only seen one in the flesh at the Smithsonian quite a while ago and all my info and seeing the envelope came from the curator. Building an 03A4 clone from an unmolested SC barreled action. Have new wood, bent bolt, secondary issue (Korea) green Kollmorgen 4X and the 26mm rings. Also have Leupold 7/8" rings and could try the shim thing if I ever get that ambitious. Just hope it shoots as well as my pre WW I "real" 03s.

[Chuckindenver]

actually,
the A4 base was rushed through production, and didnt set right on the A3 rear sight bridge, and the original scope , the weaver M73B1 didnt have enough adjustment to bring the rifle to zero even at 100 yards,
so, rather then grind the rear dovetail, they used shims to set the base at the right hight so that the scope would zero.
the lyman AKs usually zero without shims, though some bases are out of spec more then others.
if you were to hand draw file the upper part of the dovetail on the base so that it sits flush with the rear lower edges,,,no shims are needed with any scope.
since a genuine A4 base is fetching upwards of 500.00 thats likely not an option... however, on a repro A4, with a commercial Redfield base, it works well.

[smlemon]

Why anyone would pay $400 for a genuine A4 base is a mystery as Redfield still makes the base, marked as were the originals except blued. I just ordered one from Brownells for under 30 bucks. It will get bead blasted and parked and could not be told from a "real" one.''

Lowering the rear dovetail on an A4 receiver probably would not make the scope mount sit lower as it would bottom out on the receiver ring. It would also ruin the receiver for reattaching the rear sight if the rifle failed trails.

The facts as I know them came from "the horse's mouth" and make perfect sense.

The other neat 03A4/3 mount is the Microdial from Buehler that has built in W&E adjustments. It is made for sporterized conversions so the front end needs to be beveled to clear the upper HG ring if you wish to use it with the military stock. They also suggest skimming a bit off the top of the rear dovetail and ensuring it is dead level. Works great on a "sporterized" A3 I have with a BalVar 8 on it.

[JGaynor]

Why anyone would pay $400 for a genuine A4 base is a mystery as Redfield still makes the base, marked as were the originals except blued. I just ordered one from Brownells for under 30 bucks. It will get bead blasted and parked and could not be told from a "real" one.''

Lowering the rear dovetail on an A4 receiver probably would not make the scope mount sit lower as it would bottom out on the receiver ring. It would also ruin the receiver for reattaching the rear sight if the rifle failed trails.

The facts as I know them came from "the horse's mouth" and make perfect sense.

The other neat 03A4/3 mount is the Microdial from Buehler that has built in W&E adjustments. It is made for sporterized conversions so the front end needs to be beveled to clear the upper HG ring if you wish to use it with the military stock. They also suggest skimming a bit off the top of the rear dovetail and ensuring it is dead level. Works great on a "sporterized" A3 I have with a BalVar 8 on it.

The commercial Redfield jr Mounts are quite different in appearance, finish and markings from the military base used on the M1903A4.

Also the Lyman Alaskan model without external adjustments was not introduced until 1953 and was intended for use on sporting rifles with w&E adjustable mounts. in any case, although the Alaskan was approved for use on the A4 none were issued during original production.

Regards,

Jim