1903A3 Bayonet band screw thread size?

[kpj53]

I have a Remington 1903A3 that was missing just the front (bayonet) band and front sight. Simple enough I thought lol. Found a sight base, blade and pins, no problem there. I found an R marked stamped front band at a gun show, threads looked OK, then bough a new screw from Sarco. The new screw is way too small on the threads, read here on a search the screw should be 6-40, which is what the new screw measures.

So I ordered a supposed NOS USGI 1903A3 bayonet band, dont think its USGI since it appears cast, but it is brand new. The 6-40 screw is still too small.

So I ordered a USGI 1903A3 screw from ebay, it looks like it went through the war but that screw is 6-40 as well.

Needless to say I'm a little frustrated here, the R marked stamped band looks USGI and the threads are deep and sharp but appear to be 8 size screw. I'm ready to just thread the other side and use a 1903 screw. Any idea whats going on?

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[Calif-Steve]

All this stuff from Scrapco? Why? Try Bill Ricca he has only real USGI stuff and not expensive. Call him and he will help you out. But get the band and screw from him and have things done.

[kpj53]

All this stuff from Scrapco? Why? Try Bill Ricca he has only real USGI stuff and not expensive. Call him and he will help you out. But get the band and screw from him and have things done.

Didnt think it would be all that complicated lol.

He doesnt have any A3 bayo lugs according to his website.

This is just a parts gun/shooter so I'll just tap the RH side of the band and use a 1903 screw. Just dont want it to fall off when firing

[Tom in N.J.]

The cast 03A3 bayonet bands are Chinese... The original one you have may have been stripped out to use another screw. Good luck!

[kpj53]

The cast 03A3 bayonet bands are Chinese... The original one you have may have been stripped out to use another screw. Good luck!

Its possible the USGI one was stripped and someone retapped it, just funny the chinese one has around the same size thread and its new.

I have a couple 1903 screws around somewhere, I'll just tap the right side of the chinese band to that size and be done with it.

[Calif-Steve]

You can't tap an 03-A3 band and use an 03 screw. The A3 band is way to thin. Again, call Bill Ricca. Also, call Russell at Springfield Sporters and ask if he can help. These guys usually have small lots of odd parts. Both guys are good folks and they will help if they can.

[kpj53]

You can't tap an 03-A3 band and use an 03 screw. The A3 band is way to thin. Again, call Bill Ricca. Also, call Russell at Springfield Sporters and ask if he can help. These guys usually have small lots of odd parts. Both guys are good folks and they will help if they can.

The chinese 03a3 bayo lug has about a 3/16" thick boss on the RH side, will work just fine. Not like its a high stress location, no plans of using a bayonet.