Smith Corona 1903A3

[opzM1]

I recently picked up a Smith Corona and have a question about it. It appears to be very correct except for a Remington bolt. Now, the fella I bought it from, in his 70's, said he bought it from a WW2 vet in the 1990's who stated it was his from the war. He had his name and I looked him up, he indeed joined in 1942 and served 25 years in the military. My question is could this be true since it has a Remington Bolt in the gun? Everything on it, stock included, is smith corona. It is used but in good condition, bore is perfect 4 groove. It's a 370xxxx serial number, and barrel is dated 6-43. No Arsenal marks are on the stock, just the regular SC markings. Just trying to figure out if someone could have kept their rifle from WW2 and it have the bolt replaced back then?
Thanks for any help, I'm new here but enjoy collecting! I have a 41 Garand, a 1903, 1917, and M1 carbine in small collection of military arms. Hope to add more!

Mike

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[pickax]

If it wasn't swapped during an arsenal refurb, I suppose it could happen in service at a cleaning party where all bolts were put in the same solvent pail.

[opzM1]

Well I guess that's a logical answer, I wondered how it could happen. It's either something like that or the story from the vet was made up, but I don't know why someone would make that up.

Should I look for a SC bolt and make it all correct or just leave it?

[WetDog]

The trigger guard , bolt sleeve and cocking piece are not Smith Corona.

[Orroe]

Nice looking rifle, from the pictures provided it look like some type refurb was done. the bolt is parkerized, not the original blued and the trigger guard is a Remington also and is parkerized and not blue (there is the straight step on the trigger guard by the forward mount screw). As for the story that rifle was his issued weapon is doubtful because US personnel turn in their US issued weapons when return back to the states. There been several other thread about this subjects and the opinion is just a story to heighten the intrigue of the rifle. But still look like the rifle is in good shape.

Owen

[opzM1]

Nice looking rifle, from the pictures provided it look like some type refurb was done. the bolt is parkerized, not the original blued and the trigger guard is a Remington also and is parkerized and not blue (there is the straight step on the trigger guard by the forward mount screw). As for the story that rifle was his issued weapon is doubtful because US personnel turn in their US issued weapons when return back to the states. There been several other thread about this subjects and the opinion is just a story to heighten the intrigue of the rifle. But still look like the rifle is in good shape.

Owen

Thanks for the input guys! I figured someone on here could get me lined out. Well I like it and kinda figured the fella that originally had it was telling a tale, but I do believe he owned it for a mighty long time, probably acquiring it sometime while he was in the service, but not through the military.
I'll probably leave it alone and shoot it!

[Orroe]

Let us know how it shoots once you have a chance get to the range.

Unless you bought the rifle for collector purposes (investment), to me its not that big of a deal the part are (as the rifle came off S-C production line) S-C (a misnomer anyway). If you look at the history of S-C production of 1903a3 they were contracted to assemble the rifle and made very few parts. Most parts on S-C rifles were subcontracted out and made to very tight tolerance that came from the Ordnance Dept. What matters is your rifle is made up have authentic 03a3 parts. As long all the part are not serve wore the rifle will function and shoot well (because of tolerances that the Ord Dept required regardless who produce the part). I have 3 Remington 03a3, one is a Sarco build-up (mixed parts) all NOS though, second is a Ogden re-arsenal (all Remington parts except bolt body) and the third all original (never went through arsenal rebuild and all Remington parts) and all shoot accurately & groups about the same. You'll find you really enjoy shooting the rifle, even though it really kicks.

Owen

[TDH]

If the part fits and functions properly it's the right part regardless of who made it. MHO. I have a Smith serial num 3703080 and it shoots better than I do.

KICKS ??? Hard??? Really??? The hardest kicking rifle I ever shot was a Remington 710. Ten rounds through that and I had all I wanted but my smith I can shoot all day and I'm 65.

[madcratebuilder]

I've seen untold SC refurbs with the same mix of R parts. I think these stories of "this my rifle from the war" should be "this is identical to my rifle fro the war". Still a nice 03a3. I have a correct SC and R and both shoot the same.