03A3 rear sight dovetail restoration

[Calfed]

A few years back I purchased a sported Smith Corona 03A3 on line with an eye towards making it into a 03Aforgery for the CMP vintage sniper match. It had a Lyman 48 rear target sight on it and the prior owner had filed off the rear sight dovetail, to mount the Lyman sight lower, I guess.

I'm still interested in mounting a Redfield scope base on it, but am not certain that it can be done, sine the proper base is made to fit around the original rear sight dovetail.

Anyone know whether it is feasible to weld in or by some other means restore the rear sight dovetail?

Thanks

Information

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[Salt Flat]

You could machine a replacement dovetail and silver solder (high temp) it on. Or just go without the dovetail as the Redfield mount just spans over it. The screw is what really positions the mount. Salt Flat

[vintage hunter]

I've heard Smith Corona receivers are hardern wood pecker lips and drilling/tapping one for a scope base can be a bastard of a job.
Also the base is held on by only two screws and the dovetail absorbs the majority of the recoil. Might have troubles with sheared screws without it.

[Calfed]

Here are a couple of pictures...

[Salt Flat]

Actually that looks pretty nice the way it is. I would consider leaving it alone. But I also know hard soldering a replacement dovetail on would work if you have to have an 03Aforgery. Your right about the hardness of the SC receivers and thats why I'd probably leave it as is. Salt Flat

[Salt Flat]

Calfed, What route did you decide on? Just curious --- Salt Flat

[Calfed]

Calfed, What route did you decide on? Just curious --- Salt Flat

I've got my eye on a couple of Sporterized 03 A3's on auctions. I'm going to see if I can scoop one cheaply.

[Calfed]

I was poking around on the auctions and found this. It arrived, along with a second rifle that I glommed, at my FFL today.




Description advised:

Smith Corona Model 03A3 .30-06 caliber, 24" barrel, S/N 36179xx, barrel dated SC 2-42. Original parkerized finish on the receiver and barrel. A new sporting stock added. Condition: Excellent.

I gave the rifle a quick once-over before it went into my FFL's safe for the obligatory 10-day "cooling off" period. It looked like the barrel was dated 2-42, which can't be. It also looked like it might have 6 grooves. The bore and metal looked in great shape.

Also, most importantly, it still has the reverse dovetail intact