+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21

Thread: Debating a Smith Corona 1903A3 Purchase

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    JeffreyJ5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2022
    Last On
    05-10-2023 @ 01:42 PM
    Posts
    15
    Real Name
    Jeff
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:41 PM

    Question Debating a Smith Corona 1903A3 Purchase

    Hello, All! I'm looking for some guidance on a potential purchase. Namely, I'm looking for some opinions on the price.

    Smith Corona M1903A3 w/ 6 Groove Barrel. Dated January 1943. Also comes with an M1905 Bayonet shortened to M1icon Bayonet specifications.

    I understand the six-groove barrels were only installed for a couple of months and were originally manufactured by High Standard. All the markings on the gun and the finish leads me to believe these are all original components. The stock appears to *maybe* have been cleaned/lightly sanded due to the worn stamps on the side, but I'm not entirely sure.

    Shop is asking $1,500. Thoughts?
    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.
    Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_02.jpg‎
Views:	457
Size:	1.40 MB
ID:	126153   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_18.jpg‎
Views:	402
Size:	2.26 MB
ID:	126162   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_10.jpg‎
Views:	389
Size:	1.58 MB
ID:	126161   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_09.jpg‎
Views:	385
Size:	1.40 MB
ID:	126160   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_08.jpg‎
Views:	385
Size:	1.77 MB
ID:	126159   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_07.jpg‎
Views:	253
Size:	1.80 MB
ID:	126158   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_06.jpg‎
Views:	278
Size:	1.70 MB
ID:	126157  

    Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_05.jpg‎
Views:	288
Size:	1.52 MB
ID:	126156   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_04.jpg‎
Views:	260
Size:	1.69 MB
ID:	126155   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_03.jpg‎
Views:	278
Size:	1.63 MB
ID:	126154   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_01.jpg‎
Views:	259
Size:	1.48 MB
ID:	126152  

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    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
    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
    11:41 AM
    Nice "looker", that's for sure!
    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

    --George Orwell

  4. Thank You to Rick the Librarian For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:15 AM
    Location
    Sweet Home Alabama
    Posts
    1,061
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:41 PM
    The rifle appears to be reasonably correct and original. The $1500 asking price is not unreasonable if it has a serviceable bore.

    Good Luck!

    J.B.

  7. #4
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:41 PM
    Lovely looking rifle, when did they swap stock pinning to the cross bolts?

  8. #5
    Legacy Member Hi-Lux Optics's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Last On
    10-06-2022 @ 01:50 PM
    Location
    Torrance, CA
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:41 AM
    Goodness, that looks like it's in fine condition. That's definitely something I'd add to my Christmas list

  9. #6
    Legacy Member Salt Flat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:57 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    760
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:41 AM
    Check out the cutoff-- it appears to have some weld on it. I would look closely at the the receiver around the cutoff to make sure this wasn't a recovered drill rifle. Could be just the cutoff was from a drill rifle. If it was a drill rifle the 1500 would be way high of course.

    After looking at the 5th photo again, you can see the area right below the rear sight and above the cutoff has been machined out to eliminate the weld. I would say this definitely was a drill rifle.
    Last edited by Salt Flat; 05-27-2022 at 01:58 PM.

  10. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Salt Flat For This Useful Post:


  11. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    JeffreyJ5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2022
    Last On
    05-10-2023 @ 01:42 PM
    Posts
    15
    Real Name
    Jeff
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:41 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Salt Flat View Post
    After looking at the 5th photo again, you can see the area right below the rear sight and above the cutoff has been machined out to eliminate the weld. I would say this definitely was a drill rifle.
    Your response encouraged me to grab the rifle and take it down to the work bench to give it a complete clean (I ended up purchasing the rifle for $1,400). I've taken some more detailed photos of the area. Would your guess still be that it is a recovered drill rifle? Should there be anything else I should be inspecting? Any concerns, considerations, etc... if it is a recovered drill rifle? Thanks in advance!
    Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_19.jpg‎
Views:	208
Size:	1.57 MB
ID:	126628   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_20.jpg‎
Views:	193
Size:	1.82 MB
ID:	126629   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_21.jpg‎
Views:	201
Size:	1.50 MB
ID:	126630   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_22.jpg‎
Views:	207
Size:	1.73 MB
ID:	126631  

  12. #8
    Legacy Member Salt Flat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:57 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    760
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:41 AM
    Yes--It's definitely a recovered Drill rifle. In your last photo the area above the cutoff has been milled out to remove the weld. It is still an ok rifle, just not worth the price. I have one and like it but it doesn't really have the collectibility or value of an original as manufatured rifle. Sorry for the bad news but I think you could get a refund or negotiate a new price (1/2?) . Salt

  13. #9
    Legacy Member Salt Flat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:57 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    760
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:41 AM
    This is what it should look like. Take this picture with you to the gun shop for comparison.


  14. #10
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    JeffreyJ5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2022
    Last On
    05-10-2023 @ 01:42 PM
    Posts
    15
    Real Name
    Jeff
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:41 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Salt Flat View Post
    This is what it should look like. Take this picture with you to the gun shop for comparison.
    Thank you for the reference and for the information. It's disheartening to hear, but I have a good relationship with the shop so I'm hoping I can make it right.

    For my own edification (and so I can argue my point with the shop), can you provide some insight into the differences between the photo you supplied and the included two below? From my (untrained) eye it looks almost as if you example you provided has had *more* material removed. I can see the obvious machining marks on mine, but why the overall difference in design? I apologize for any ignorance; I'm trying to learn as much as I can!
    Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_23.jpg‎
Views:	209
Size:	238.5 KB
ID:	126633   Click image for larger version

Name:	M1903A3_23 - Mark-Up.jpg‎
Views:	184
Size:	344.1 KB
ID:	126634  

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 1903A3 Smith-Corona
    By EddieB in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 12-01-2020, 07:19 PM
  2. Smith Corona 1903A3
    By opzM1 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-17-2016, 10:32 AM
  3. Smith-Corona 1903A3
    By madmike in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-11-2011, 07:31 PM
  4. Smith Corona 1903A3 new purchase
    By Aragorn243 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 11-11-2010, 06:16 AM
  5. My first Smith Corona 1903A3
    By mustanggt in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 09-17-2010, 03:50 PM

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