+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: REMINGTON 1903A3 OFFSET SERIAL NUMBER and OG stamp?!?!?!?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    farcyde40's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Last On
    04-24-2019 @ 01:11 PM
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Age
    35
    Posts
    4
    Real Name
    Peter M.
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM

    REMINGTON 1903A3 OFFSET SERIAL NUMBER and OG stamp?!?!?!?

    I am committed to purchasing a Remington M1903A3 and may have "jumped the gun" (no pun intended) too soon on this one. From the research I've done the gun looks all legit from the stampings/cartouches, wear, finish, etc., etc. HOWEVER, the serial number is 3,381,238 which if I'm correct would put it at a manufacture date of right at the end of December 1942 into January 1943 and the barrel date is 1-43. Does this seem correct to you guys??? I've got conflicting information of the OG stamp on the stock does this mean that it's a import or a rebuild or both? As I've stated the gun is very clean. Maybe it was a rebuild that was put in storage at the armory??

    The other BIG HOWEVER is the 8 at the end of the serial number is VERY offset as you can see in the pictures, I'm concerned about this because all the serial numbers I've seen up to this point were crisp and straight. Any insight would be helpful.

    Please reference the pictures I've attached.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.
    Last edited by farcyde40; 06-14-2018 at 10:10 AM.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member Snowman1510's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last On
    06-27-2022 @ 10:29 PM
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    272
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:00 AM
    I am pretty certain this has been through a rebuild. My M1903A3 is similar in that it has three test fire proof stamps.

    Edit: I am certain they did test fire proof marks when it was finished being refurbished. They are the big "P"s that you see. One from when it was built and accepted into service and another when it went through rebuild.
    Last edited by Snowman1510; 06-14-2018 at 11:45 AM.
    “There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by readin’. The few who learn by observation.
    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” - Will Rogers

  4. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Snowman1510 For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Legacy Member RazorBurn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Last On
    09-04-2020 @ 11:16 PM
    Location
    Southern West Virginia
    Posts
    71
    Real Name
    Ray
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    OG is a Ogden Arsenal rebuild stamp. My 03A3 has an OG stamp too. You appear to have a nice USGI re-arsenaled 03A3. I don't see anything out of place by the numbers or stampings.

    You can see the OG stamp on mine below. Mine also has a CSAA stamp like Snowman's too in the same location.

    Last edited by RazorBurn; 06-14-2018 at 01:11 PM.

  7. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to RazorBurn For This Useful Post:


  8. #4
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    farcyde40's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Last On
    04-24-2019 @ 01:11 PM
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Age
    35
    Posts
    4
    Real Name
    Peter M.
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    Thread Starter

    number 8 in serial#/more pics

    Any idea from anyone on the offset number 8 in the serial number and if it's a problem or if it means anything significant???

    I'VE ADDED MORE PICTURES

  9. #5
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:00 AM
    It doesn't look like it's been altered or anything wrong. Looks like the die was a bit out of index and just dropped the last number...an oddity...
    Regards, Jim

  10. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  11. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    farcyde40's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Last On
    04-24-2019 @ 01:11 PM
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Age
    35
    Posts
    4
    Real Name
    Peter M.
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    Thread Starter
    Jim,
    Thank you for the input, my concern was that maybe there was something phony about the serial number like someone maybe tried to add the 8 after the fact or repair part of the serial number??

  12. #7
    Legacy Member Snowman1510's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last On
    06-27-2022 @ 10:29 PM
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    272
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:00 AM
    No, I think you are just fine an M1icon of mine has a number in its serial stamped lighter than the rest of it. I don't think anybode has tried to pull any funny business with your rifle.
    “There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by readin’. The few who learn by observation.
    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” - Will Rogers

  13. Thank You to Snowman1510 For This Useful Post:


  14. #8
    Advisory Panel
    Rick the Librarian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    04-09-2023 @ 08:59 PM
    Location
    NW Washington State
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,301
    Real Name
    Rick Slater
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:00 AM
    Looks like a legitimate M1903A3 to me - the 3,381,000 serial number would translate to @ 1-43 to me. The stock is a later M1903A3, though.
    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

    --George Orwell

  15. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Rick the Librarian For This Useful Post:


  16. #9
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:00 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by farcyde40 View Post
    something phony about the serial number
    I don't think so...
    Regards, Jim

  17. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  18. #10
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    farcyde40's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Last On
    04-24-2019 @ 01:11 PM
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Age
    35
    Posts
    4
    Real Name
    Peter M.
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    Thread Starter
    Rick how can you tell the stock is off of a later 03A3? And from what everyone has commented on so far it's looking like this is a arsenal rebuild am I correct in saying this?

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Early Remington P14 Serial Number
    By Melanie_Daniels in forum Pattern 1913/1914 and M1917 Rifles
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-05-2018, 02:31 PM
  2. Remington M1917 Serial Number (High serial number)
    By roadking in forum Pattern 1913/1914 and M1917 Rifles
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 03-30-2017, 12:23 AM
  3. Remington Enfield P14 serial number.
    By Buster95 in forum Pattern 1913/1914 and M1917 Rifles
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-26-2016, 12:07 AM
  4. BSA serial number stamp
    By Craig Eberhardt in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 09-17-2014, 08:17 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks