S/N On Multiple 1903-A3 Parts?

[Laruik]

Hey guys, first post here so let me know if I'm doing anything wrong.

I just got into WWI-II era milsurps after finally buying my first Garand from the CMP, and I'm looking to pick up a 1903 of some kind. I reached out to a seller the other night for a late Remington 1903-A3. He describes it as excellent condition and says it looks to be an arsenal rework. This is fine by me as I'm mostly looking for a shooter and merely being all USGI is historic enough to make me feel all warm inside. Anything beyond that is just bonus.

The red flag to me was that he said many of the parts have the last 4 of the serial number on them, so whoever did the rework seems to have kept all the original parts together. I've heard of the S/N on multiple parts practice done on European rifles like Swiss rifles, but I've never heard of this being done on U.S. rifles besides National Match rifles. Since this is a late Remington '03-A3, I don't think that this is a NM rifle, but I know very little on the subject and could very easily be wrong.

Like I said, being "correct" and collector value aren't top priorities for me since I will mostly use this is a shooter with bonus historical value. However, I am concerned about fake components. I don't think the seller is purposefully trying to deceive me as he seems sincere, but he has admitted he is no expert on these rifles either. He is planning on sending pictures as well when time permits.

Any help on this or any other advice for a first time buyer would be appreciated and thanks for your time!

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

It could be a so-call "Greek" M1903A3, which were sold by the CMP from about 2002-2005. Most of them had the last four digits of the serial number etched on the top of the bolt handle and the last four digits stamped on the butt of the stock. These didn't always match the actual serial number because parts were often switched at CMP. There should be no other parts with the serial number (whole or in part).

[Laruik]

It could be a so-call "Greek" M1903A3, which were sold by the CMP from about 2002-2005.

Interesting, thanks for the info. I've read about how the Greek returns of M1 Garands were very disliked by many over at the CMP forums for their reparkerization jobs . Do the Greek 1903A3 returns share this stigma or have any other features about them that might increase/decrease their value or function?

[browningautorifle]

I don't think it really decreases value. That would only be if you thought it did. An original or near perfect example won't have this sort of thing but a rebuild will. You'd be paying prices accompanying a rebuild status. Doesn't matter who did it.

[Laruik]

Alright, thanks for the input guys, much appreciated! I received some pictures from the seller so I will probably throw together a thread and put it up in the Appraisals section and see what everyone thinks.