Sportered SC 03A3, barrel dated 2/42?

[Calfed]

A few weeks ago I posted about a SC 03A3 that I have and was planning on converting to a 03A4gery, but had found that the reverse dovetail had been ground off. Readers offered some suggestions for restoring the reverse dovetail, but I decided getting a recovered drill rifle receiver might make more sense.

I was poking around on the auctions and found this instead. 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 looks like the barrel is 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

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Rick the Librarian]

Nope, not a 2-42 barrel, a poorly-stamped 12-42 barrel as John Beard said on another forum.

[Calfed]

Thanks, Rick

I didn't have a lot of time and will look it over more carefully when the 10 days have passed.

[Calfed]

I brought my rifles home from the FFL today and looked them over.

The SC03A3 is in great condition for a sporter...and it definitely is a 6 groove.



The metal is in great shape and the sporter stock is pretty nice too.






The barrel has an ever so faint "1" in front of the 2 42 on the SC barrel

[henry r]

i normally don't like high comb stocks (hopefully that's the right term) or sporters, but that rifle is really beautiful.

[Calfed]

Thanks, henry. I'm still torn whether or not to convert this to an 03A4gery. It does look great the way it is.

[browningautorifle]

I wouldn't be too torn. Sport rifles are around. 1903A4s are a bit scarcer and very sexy looking...I think. Even a forgery for shooting purpose.

[Calfed]

You could be right. I'm not a hunter, so have no real use for a sporter.

I could restore it, but it has the holes that were drilled for the Redfield sight.