Just Got a Diamond in the Rough - Sporterized M1903A4

[Glynn863]

I cross-posted this on CMP and CSP forums as well. As in my post here, I am attempting to learn as much as I can to restore a M1903A4.

Well, as the title states, I just got a sporterized M1903A4 for a good price. Found it Friday night on a Facebook page of all places, and made a 90-mile round trip Saturday morning to get it. It has been polished / blued, barrel shortened about 2 inches, has a Tasco scope and rings, and sits in a Fajen stock. However, it has the original bolt (polished only) and original Redfield base. All of the remaining USGI parts have "R" stamps. The S/N is 3411908, which sits in the first block of M1903A4s. The guy I bought it from said he bought it at a sporting goods store about 6 years ago, and has been hunting deer with it. He sold it to help get up a down payment on a new truck. I have some stock photos from FB attached.

I know to restore this I will need to replace the barrel and other missing USGI parts and refinish as well. I will probably get a C-stock from CMP or The Collector Source. I took it completely apart to check things. I added a safety, since it was missing. I swapped the Tasco scope for a Weaver K10 I had, and the safety clears. The K10 will suffice until I can get a correct or correct repro scope or maybe a K2.5. With a strong light, I saw the faint markings on the barrel, RA 3-44, so it was re-barreled somewhere in its lifetime.

Looks like this rifle was probably built in June / July 1943. According to Remington Society Production Data and Serial Number Schedule letter I found online, I'll need a Feb to Sep 43 barrel for a correct restoration, probably 4 groove.

This is my first exposure to a real M1903A4, outside of a museum or gun show exhibit, so thanks for your patience in any questions. I already have a Remington M1903 and Remington M1903A3, so I'm not totally ignorant on the basic rifle. I guess now I have the trifecta, huh? I don't expect to get it restored quickly, but I like to do my research in the meantime. Thanks.

Now the fun begins.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

That's going to be hard to restore...good luck with it. Lots to do.

[Chuckindenver]

nice find//
iv restored much worse...

[mike radford]

I have seen a lot worse as well. A few have such weak markings and weak serial number, I would be afraid to own them. With current price trends, I would find a nice original barrel, hopefully an original stock and get the ball rolling. Good luck.

[Glynn863]

Thanks, I'm checking with someone about a barrel, and a guy from church said he has some parts in his storage room. I've already restored a Remington M1903 and a Remington M1903A3, so here we go again.

[Chuckindenver]

may have what you need....i responded to your email maybe take the time to call...and save yourself some headache
looks by the pictures..that the bolt is not correct

[Glynn863]

Yeah Chuck, those pics are the ones the seller posted on Facebook. I looked at the bolt closely and compared it to some others I found online. I think it's legit; I'll try to post pics of it later today. It is only polished; a touch of cold blue in a couple of spots confirmed it.

[Glynn863]

Here are bolt pics, taken with iPhone:

[Promo]

I vote original.

[Chuckindenver]

bolt is good