Remington M1903 1942 Mfg.

[iron sights]

I bought this Remington M1903 at what I considered a parts gun price; thinking I'd break it up for parts. After disassembly and light cleaning I'm beginning to think it is worth replacing the missing magazine parts, and keeping it complete. The serial # is 3225014 which indicates manufacture in September 1942, the barrel is marked RA 8 42. The C stock has a cartouche that reads SA SPG in a box. The butt plate is a bit strange, it looks to me like some prior owner stippled a flat smooth butt plate with random punch marks and perhaps I should consider replacing that part as well. I think that the August 42 dated barrel is probably original but am wondering if the Springfield Armory is or not. I'd appreciate any opinions or advice.Attachment 101317Attachment 101318Attachment 101319Attachment 101320Attachment 101321

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Those delicious "C" stocks, wish I had that one...

[Doco overboard]

Butt plate is kind of interesting and may belong to the rifle specifically. I would leave it for a while until you find out if that's the case.

[pickax]

Interesting rifle, the barrel date matches receiver date so likely original.
Stock is a desirable pre war C stock not original.
Stippled butt plate is a Marine trait modification . Other Marine mods can be found here Pre War/WWII USMC M1903s | USMCWeaponry.com
Be aware your rifle is too late for the mods listed above. My guess would be your Remington was re-stocked later by a armory or civilian. Pics are too dark to tell much else.
Regardless, it's a perfect shooting combo if the barrel gauges well.

[browningautorifle]

I'm guessing a parts assembly, maybe purchased from CMP as a barreled receiver and finished for the most part. I'd just keep it and shoot it.

[CaptMandrake]

What magazine parts are you missing?

[iron sights]

What magazine parts are you missing?

Just about all the internal parts: follower, floor plate catch, floor plate catch spring, floor plate catch pin, floor plate, and the magazine spring.

[CaptMandrake]

Those parts are not hard to find, think it's a keeper....

[iron sights]

Those parts are not hard to find, think it's a keeper....

I had kind of reached that conclusion. I'll be looking for original parts to replace the floor plate and the follower since those parts should probably be "R" marked. I could buy everything from Gun Parts Corp for about $50 and still be in the bargain price range. I have another 1910 03 with a 1909 dated SA barrel that I think was rebuilt at RIA after WWI so when I finish this one I'll take them both to the range and see which is more accurate and then decide if I keep one or both.

---------- Post added at 02:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:45 PM ----------

I have a similar Remington '03. Serial number 3209629 with an RA 2-42 barrel. It's stocked in a wartime Keystone mfg. C stock but doesn't sport any inspector's cartouche or firing proofs on the stock. It makes one wonder why the original woodwork was changed when the rifle metal is near new and never rebuilt.

Just curious if your gun has any evidence of USMC usage since there seems to be some that the Corps acquired at least some early Remington 03s and it would make sense that they'd have been refurbished at USMC repair depots after the war.

[iron sights]

Those parts are not hard to find, think it's a keeper....

I have cleaned her up a bit more and I think it is clearly worth chasing down the parts; Gun Parts Corp has them all for a little over $50 total. I think I'll try to find an original Remington marked floor plate and follower first as the rest of the parts are probably unmarked. Attached are pictures after a little cleaning. The 11 at the top of the butt I'm guessing is a rack number but I am wondering what the numbers on the bottom are?