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Thread: Sportered SC 03A3, barrel dated 2/42?

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  1. #1
    Legacy Member Calfed's Avatar
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    Sportered SC 03A3, barrel dated 2/42?

    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
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  3. #2
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    Rick the Librarian's Avatar
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    Nope, not a 2-42 barrel, a poorly-stamped 12-42 barrel as John Beardicon said on another forum.
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    Legacy Member Calfed's Avatar
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    Thanks, Rick

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

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    Legacy Member Calfed's Avatar
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    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


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

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

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    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.
    Regards, Jim

  10. #8
    Legacy Member Calfed's Avatar
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    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.

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