Restoring 1903A4 ??????

[RGC]

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

Information

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[Embalmer]

theres a guy on gunbroker that sells full original scope mounts and scopes for the a4. just do a search for 1903a4. Personally I like the Lyman over the weaver as it is a better scope to shoot with. but if want an "as issued" the weaver is the way to go, with a lyman being a very late war/rebuild replacement.

[Neal Myers]

You want to post the SN & barrel date.

You probably won't be happy unless you replace the barrel; I suspect that when you remove the front sight the sight slot will be bare metal. Even it is a correct barrel with parked sight slot, there will be heavy marks from the sight now there.

The correct base IS the Redfield JR; the variation you want has REDFIELD on the right rear & is parked. It must be shimmed at the front, best done by a gunsmith.

A correct scope is a 330C with serial no on the tube, but few legitimate ones exist. Best would be a M73B1 or M8. The M84 was used on rebuilt rifles, but the correct 2 piece parked rings are just about impossible to find.

[Embalmer]

The correct base IS the Redfield JR; the variation you want has REDFIELD on the right rear & is parked.

what about if it said redfield pat pending ect on right front??

[JGaynor]

what about if it said redfield pat pending ect on right front??

Original GI bases seem to be marked as Neal described. REDFIELD in all block capitals on the right rear.
At least one batch of replacement bases were unmarked. Some of these unmarked Korean War vintage replacements showed up a few years ago in the original packages which were marked "Packed by Lyman".

[Chuckindenver]

the later bases, were made by both Redfield and Lyman, the Redfields have a few different type of R markings, you can usually spot a real GI base, they are pretty rough, have square edges, and usually have hard stake marks next to the screw holes,and the on the left side windage screw, to keep it in place.

[RGC]

Thanks for all of the info.
The serial number is 49925XX, the barrel is marked RA 12-43, I think the barrel date is correct, but as you and many others say it is most likely a replacement, it has a punch mark in the middle of the ordnance bomb. When I acquired it, it had a different removable rear site on it (not like the regualr 03A3's)

[RGC]

My next question: Is this rifle worth the time, headache & money to restore, how difficult is it to find another barrel. Could/should I simply remove the front site and go with it? How the heck does a person remove the front site with minimal/no damage? I have performed simple gunsmithing on rifles/pistols before, this may be complicated in that I am seeking no structural/cosmetic damage
Thanks for the help

[presidents100]

RGC, Your barrel is original, see if you can get the front sight off. Some come right off. Your problem will be solved.
Look carefully at the sight. Is it issue or a Lyman target sight.
If it is issue, knock out the cross pin on the top side of the barrel.
The small pin holds the sight blade. Leave it in.
After the pin is removed. Use a 2x4 . Place it on the top back of the sight.
Tap the block against the sight to move it forward, it it moves any. Clean and grease any part of the barrel forward of the sight.
Keep taping it forward till free.
Now clean and oil the Key and front slot. It might fall out.
Check for rust or other stuff.
Some times the Dragon Wins and I bet you get Lucky and it falls off and is pristine A4 under the removed sight....

[Embalmer]

barrels are still easy to find for about 150 bucks