+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: 1903A4, GTG or no?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member pdxbohica's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    02-14-2023 @ 10:29 AM
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    13
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 AM

    1903A4, GTG or no?

    I recently found a 1903A4 for sale and have a couple of questions:

    1. The barrel date (2/44) does not match the receiver (8/43), the barrel has the punch mark in the flaming bomb, P on the bottom but no bottom punch mark. I believe that it is a replacement barrel from an arsenal rebuild;
    2. The stock has the Benicia Arsenal [BIA / JPL] stamp on the left side indicating a rebuild, (P) on the bottom of grip but no other visible markings in front of the magwell or anywhere else (consistent with a replacement stock?);
    3. M84 scope, which would be consistent with a post-war rebuild;
    4. The sight base is unmarked, again, consistent with what would be issued;
    5. There is no evidence of a front sight that I can see, however the coloring where the sight band would have been looks different.

    Uniform wear on all of the metal, large bow trigger guard.

    What does the collective wisdom and experience on the board think? Consistent enough to call it a genuine rebuild? Any other issues?

    FYSA, I am currently deployed and cannot get hands-on with the rifle.

    Thanks in advance.

    Attachment 111836

    Attachment 111837

    Attachment 111838

    Attachment 111839
    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 pdxbohica; 10-24-2020 at 02:33 PM.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    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
    Contributing Member rcathey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last On
    03-27-2024 @ 11:56 AM
    Location
    St. Louis, MO Area
    Posts
    1,645
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 AM
    The receiver markings on a genuine 03A4 are spaced such that they’re not covered up by the scope mount.

    That’s the only thing to look for if you’re concerned about having the genuine article. Everything else is secondary.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:03 AM
    I can see a line of crud at the back edge of where the rear sight was, for instance. That says a sight WAS there to me.
    Regards, Jim

  6. #4
    Legacy Member pdxbohica's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    02-14-2023 @ 10:29 AM
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    13
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    I can see a line of crud at the back edge of where the rear sight was, for instance. That says a sight WAS there to me.
    So possibly (probably?) a re-barrel with a barrel that did have a sight? And at least in regards to this, not done through an arsenal rebuild, correct?

  7. #5
    Legacy Member champ0608's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Last On
    03-05-2024 @ 09:03 AM
    Location
    Arizona
    Age
    36
    Posts
    101
    Real Name
    Jamie
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:03 AM
    This rifle at some point had a receiver sight installed, implying a front sight would have also been installed.

  8. #6
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:03 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by pdxbohica View Post
    So possibly (probably?) a re-barrel
    I'd suggest a put together...perhaps. There's lots of info on here in forum to look at to give you a better idea about this one. Can you get more and better pics? Often a spurious dealer will give poor or lacking pics to complete a sale.
    Regards, Jim

  9. #7
    Legacy Member pdxbohica's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    02-14-2023 @ 10:29 AM
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    13
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 AM
    Thread Starter
    See attached:

    Attachment 111861Attachment 111862Attachment 111863Attachment 111864Attachment 111865

    Just noticed the whole on the right side of the stock ahead of the bolt relief...

  10. Thank You to pdxbohica For This Useful Post:


  11. #8
    Legacy Member mark1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 09:44 AM
    Location
    Heading for Florida
    Posts
    351
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:03 AM
    The front of the barre looks to have been re-parked after the removal of the front sight. The rings are commercial not military. The receiver had a rear sight mounted as evidence of the two screws and the hole in the stock. I would suspect the stock is not a sniper stock but would need a picture of the bolt cutout area in the stock.

    Receiver is a real A4.

  12. #9
    Legacy Member pdxbohica's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    02-14-2023 @ 10:29 AM
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    13
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 AM
    Thread Starter
    And the search continues.

    Thanks for educating me on the things that I missed, there is so much to grasp, maybe some day...

  13. #10
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:03 AM
    Hard to do proper searches while you're remote. You have your mind on other things so this is a distraction. Yes they're out there so you'll find one, you'll have the coin after deployment too. Keep us info'ed on it. We'd love to see it after you find it.
    Regards, Jim

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 1903a4
    By rice 123 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-13-2016, 04:35 PM
  2. 1903a4
    By chaosrob in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 06-29-2015, 09:16 PM
  3. Need help with 1903A4
    By sam11101951 in forum Appraisals, Fakery, Dispute Resolution & Mediation Forum
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 04-04-2014, 11:51 PM
  4. 1903a4
    By Craig Eberhardt in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-22-2014, 01:35 PM
  5. New to me 1903A4
    By Jsheds in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 02-17-2014, 08:15 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