Restoring 1903A4 ??????

[presidents100]

Find a scope and rings first. Most are in the odd size of 7/8 in.
The base is still made. but is heavily rounded. the rings look funny on new bases, They work for shooting but are totally wrong and not what was issue.
The right type of Redfield Jr base has sharp corners, just barely deburred after machining. No rounding. It might take awhile to find. Unless you want to pay the scope rings and base hordes the big bucks they want.
There are many scopes for sale and very few bids for them. All of them need rebuilding. Check on cost of rebuilding before buying.
Let the sellers know their beat up old scope needs allot of work.
The last scope for the A4 was the M84.
It works the best for me.
You can buy a new C stock from the CMP now.
Do not refinish any metal part. The normal wear from being carried is a unique trademark of a true rifle that was carried and fired with certain death to our enemies.

[RGC]

Again, thaks for the info, I am very knowladgable on Garands and carbines, but know almost nothing about 1903-A3/A4's, and this is my first one. If this is the original barrel, why would someone put a front sight on it (wait a minute, why do people butcher original Lugers and 1911's....LOL) BTW it has a very nice original stock with strong cartouches, bumps and bruises to go along with it.
Thanks, Ryan

[riflegreen297]

Ryan,

If you decide not to restore let me, I would gladly take it off your hands.

[Mike Haas]

I have been fortunate enough to find a Remington 03A4. The rifle itself seems to be in very good condition. It is a real 03A4 because the U.S. Remington 03-A3 is far to the left, and the serial number is far to the right, leaving room for the scope base to not obstruct viewing the stampings. The parkerizing is believed to be original, the bands and bolt are blued, which is original and correct. I very much want to restore this rifle. (I collect mostly Garands)
These are my problems:
1) The rifle has a front sight and hood on it, why? How hard is it to remove?
2) Where can I find a Redfield scope base? I have heard/read that the
redfield jr/ will work well, if so which variation?
3) What is the most accurate/best scope to put on this rifle? I have heard
that the Weaver 330 or the Lyman Alaskan are most correct. What
should I expect to pay for these items and where can I find them.

Any help would be appreciated. I can be reached @ ryancasada@yahoo.com

Is there a rear sight installed on it? - As Neal Meyers and President said if the barrel is parked under the front sight then I'd suspect it was an original install that somebody put a front sight on.
Also look on the bottom of the barrel approx. 4" aft of the muzzle and see if there is a "punch mark". While its not a resolved issue in my mind there is some evidence that A4's barrels had the above described punch mark and it's meaning remains a clouded issue.
Apparently there was an effort to "handpick" barrels for A4's during early production and the effort stopped due to minimal gain/wartime. Long and short original barrel installs were parked where the front sight band would have been installed. Obviously there were replacement barrels that were parked without the front sight band as evidenced by rebarreled A4's but to my knowledge other than the parking there is no appreciable difference.
Any chance of pictures??

[RGC]

Well......I took your advice and determined quickly that the front site is USGI, the next question would the underneath hae park or no park shiny, and a punch mark underneath. I took a piece of hardwood floor plank (Hickory) and knocked it a couple of times and it moved, then with little more effort it came right off. The area underneath where the site was, is parked, and punched on underside of barrel. If I am understanding correctly that makes it the original barrel. Now the task begins of finding the correct scope base and scope. Thanks for all of the help. If anybody would like I could post pics (somebody will have to tell me how to do it though, especially since I am not very tec savy.

Thanks again

[Mike Haas]

Well......I took your advice and determined quickly that the front site is USGI, the next question would the underneath hae park or no park shiny, and a punch mark underneath. I took a piece of hardwood floor plank (Hickory) and knocked it a couple of times and it moved, then with little more effort it came right off. The area underneath where the site was, is parked, and punched on underside of barrel. If I am understanding correctly that makes it the original barrel. Now the task begins of finding the correct scope base and scope. Thanks for all of the help. If anybody would like I could post pics (somebody will have to tell me how to do it though, especially since I am not very tec savy.

Thanks again

RGC....Sounds like our speculation proved correct! I'm happy for you!.It does indeed sound you have an original A-4 Barrel.

Now as to your pictures..look at the webpage for Rick the Librarians instructions or "Beg" someone to post your pictures for you! (Don't beg me-I'm lucky to even be able to post on the thread).

We'll want to see pictures of the barrel, top and bottom at least 6" back from the muzzle as well as the balance of the rifle with details. Close-ups but keep you density done down since your "begging for help".

Kidding aside somebody will offer to help you with pictures if you don't fiqure it out yourself.

Reagrds..Mike.

[Chuckindenver]

good to see you posting Mike...just about up to speed??

[Mike Haas]

good to see you posting Mike...just about up to speed??

Chuck - Using a brand new laptop until I either get the slightly older Desktop repaired or use it for a 200 yard target backstop.
Mike

[Chuckindenver]

i trashed my old desk top after Christmas, and i love this new lap top...

[JGaynor]

Well......I took your advice and determined quickly that the front site is USGI, the next question would the underneath hae park or no park shiny, and a punch mark underneath. I took a piece of hardwood floor plank (Hickory) and knocked it a couple of times and it moved, then with little more effort it came right off. The area underneath where the site was, is parked, and punched on underside of barrel. If I am understanding correctly that makes it the original barrel. Now the task begins of finding the correct scope base and scope. Thanks for all of the help. If anybody would like I could post pics (somebody will have to tell me how to do it though, especially since I am not very tec savy.

Thanks again

Save your pictures to a folder in your PC where you can find them easily.

Use the "Quote" button to open a new window in this service.
You will see kind of a 'word processing screen with selections for fonts, colors etc . On the top row is a Paperclip icon - click on it.
That will open a new window entitled "Manage Attachments"
You'll see a series of boxes with the word "BROWSE" in an adjacent button.
Clcicl on Browse - Select your pic or pics and then click on "Upload"

Please note whne using this method there are limitations on file sizes.

For really big files its sis better to link to an Internet service like Photobucket.com. Once you create an alabum in Photobucket this site has a handy link to it also accessible from the Quote reply screen.

Regards,

Jim

PS: Several of the A4's and A4 barrelled receivers auctioned by the CMP in recent years had been converted back to A3's. Some of these rilfes had the plastic stocks used for drill or training purposes.