Remington M1903-A3

[Retired Sarge]

Found an orphan Remington M1903-A3, at our local gunshow today. It's a Nov 1943 Remington receiver with a Oct 1943 Remington barrel with a correct Remington no finger groove, S stock. Haven't torn it down yet to verify if the other parts are Remington also.

Stock stamps include numerous inspection stamps and the major markings.

FJA for Lt Col Frank J. Atwood, Ordnance District Head.

Ordnance Wheel for Inspected and Approved by the Ordnance Department.

RA for Remington Arms.

Circle P for proof testing.

 

[ncsuwolf]

Looks to be almost new old stock. When you can see the marks in the wood that clearly….wasnt used much

 

[pepperj]

Nice addition.
If everything matches how does that effect the value?

 

[Retired Sarge]

Looks to be almost new old stock. When you can see the marks in the wood that clearly….wasnt used much

Versus my M1 stock that you can tell there are markings there, but they are so faint/worn you can't tell what they are, well except the Ordnance Wheel.

 

[sibbley]

Great find Sarge!

 

[Retired Sarge]

Nice addition.
If everything matches how does that effect the value?

Well I stole it for $850.00 out the door. Some are selling in the $1,100.00 plus range and I know of one person that paid $1,800.00 for a matching Remington made 03-A3.

A lot depends the geographical area of the US a person lives in. In some states they (Guns) sell real high. So I'll be conservative and say around $1,100.00 to $1,500.00.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Great find Sarge!

Saw it on his table, looked at it, went down about two tables and went back asked what he wanted for it. Swear I got a friction burn on my hand from my Levi's as I whipped the cash out.

 

[ncsuwolf]

Wasn’t going to ask what you paid, but anything less than 1k, you did fine

And I would have squinted hard, rolled it over a few times, made a few gutteral noises, then offered 750

 

[RelicFinder77]

Found an orphan Remington M1903-A3, at our local gunshow today. It's a Nov 1943 Remington receiver with a Oct 1943 Remington barrel with a correct Remington no finger groove, S stock. Haven't torn it down yet to verify if the other parts are Remington also.

Stock stamps include numerous inspection stamps and the major markings.

FJA for Lt Col Frank J. Atwood, Ordnance District Head.

Ordnance Wheel for Inspected and Approved by the Ordnance Department.

RA for Remington Arms.

Circle P for proof testing.

View attachment 2208392View attachment 2208397View attachment 2208398View attachment 2208391View attachment 2208393View attachment 2208394View attachment 2208395View attachment 2208396

Still, one of the finest rifles ever built.

 

[releventchair]

Found an orphan Remington M1903-A3, at our local gunshow today. It's a Nov 1943 Remington receiver with a Oct 1943 Remington barrel with a correct Remington no finger groove, S stock. Haven't torn it down yet to verify if the other parts are Remington also.

Stock stamps include numerous inspection stamps and the major markings.

FJA for Lt Col Frank J. Atwood, Ordnance District Head.

Ordnance Wheel for Inspected and Approved by the Ordnance Department.

RA for Remington Arms.

Circle P for proof testing.

View attachment 2208392View attachment 2208397View attachment 2208398View attachment 2208391View attachment 2208393View attachment 2208394View attachment 2208395View attachment 2208396

Congrats!
Great markings indeed.

Acquired Dads he acquired through the N.R.A. .
I thought he did so through the Civilian Marksmanship Program but he confirmed it was N.R.A..
A lot of military ball was run through it.

The magazine cutoff is interesting. More the theory than the practice...
Found a spare bolt in his estate. I haven't looked to see if the one in it appears original. (No idea why an extra bolt was around.)

 

[Retired Sarge]

Wasn’t going to ask what you paid, but anything less than 1k, you did fine

And I would have squinted hard, rolled it over a few times, made a few gutteral noises, then offered 750

When he told me the price, I immediately lost my poker face and he knew I was hooked. So I just paid the asking price without haggling,

 

[CoinsAndThings]

Very nice!

 

[Retired Sarge]

Some additional pictures, showing the green park and bluing.

 

[ncsuwolf]

Unless I’m missing something, and all numbers match, that’s at least a 1500 rifle

 

[Retired Sarge]

Unless I’m missing something, and all numbers match, that’s at least a 1500 rifle

I know the 03s had several parts marked with the manufacturer's initial, and I can find that list on the internet. But I'm not finding a list of what parts, if any, were marked on the 03-A3.

We know the barrel, receiver and stock are Remington on this one. Guess it's time to take this girl apart and see what I can find.

 

[ncsuwolf]

Well based on the low serial # (kidding) im sure there were all kinds of variants and Frankensteins put together…..especially in 1943

 

[Retired Sarge]

Well based on the low serial # (kidding) im sure there were all kinds of variants and Frankensteins put together…..especially in 1943

So far this is what I've found, its been worked on at some point, either by a unit armourer or civilian owner at some point.

Front band/bayonet lug R for Remington
Stacking swivel R for Remington
Front sling swivel R for Remington
Rear sling swivel RP for Rochester Products
Trigger guard assembly R for Remington
Follower R for Remington
Follower spring R for Remington
Bolt sleeve R for Remington
Bolt body SA for Springfield Armory