U.S. WW2 Remington 1903 (modified) Rifle…..( f 571)SOLD

A Good example of the 1903 Modified US Bolt Action Service Rifle

One of the last bolt action service rifles for infantry fielded by the Americans in World War Two.  The serial number, impressed into the receiver is “3221688.”  This indicates, by records, production in the months around August / September 1942.  The receiver reads: “U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 1903 / 3221688.”  This Model of 03 was know as the “1903 Modified”   A strange term in that it really only refers to the dropping of certain features during production, to speed up overall build time and reduce costs.  Rather than referring to some kind of noticeable improvement.  The rifle is still basically the same rifle as fielded by the US in the previous conflict.  At first sight the changes are not immediately obvious, but they are there.  They were a precursor to an even leaner rifle that followed, namely the 1903A3.

The specifications as compared to Springfield’s 1903 from the First World War are really no different.  The rifle is 43.1/2″ in overall length.  The round barrel is close to 24″ in length.  The trigger pull is just under 13″ to center.  This particular rifle is stocked in the Scant Grip stock which includes a semi-pistol grip.  There is a full length handguard over the barrel with cut-outs at the rear to accommodate the rear sight adjustment.  The steel butt-plate is the early Remington type with no cross hatching.  The stock has the double reinforcing bolts across, under the action.  One minor point however, the circled “P” proof mark, on the heel of the pistol grip, is of a far too early type.  This kind of circled P, with elaborate serifs to its form are only normally seen on much earlier rifles, mainly from WW1 or before, even on the Krags.  The stock is produced in American Black Walnut.

On the LHS of the wrist are two more cartouches.  Both give cause for concern.  Here follows a description of what is actually marked on the stock.  Potential buyers will have to satisfy themselves of the genuine nature of these markings if they should be the type to loose sleep over it.  All I will say is, They are confusing, and give mixed messages.  Both are boxed; One which reads “R I A  / F K” and another which reads; “O. G. E. K.”   The first stands for Rock Island Arsenal / Frank Krack, who was foreman of small arms inspection from 1941 until 1946.  The second stood for Ogden Arsenal and the supervising inspector Elmer Keith.  Slightly confusing, in that Ogden only rebuilt 1903’s.   So it is showing two sets of rebuild marks.  The first one also gives cause for concern because this stock is a replacement; One, because of its pattern and Two because of the “S”  stamped within the dish cut for the magazine cut-off.  This “S” represents Springfield, but they did not make scant-grip stocks…   …   …   go figure !  Also the lack of internal manufactory inspectors stamps in front of the magazine mean that the stock is a replacement item.  The stock is however good and devoid of any problems except for the effects of  “Bubber” with his brand new set of inspectors stamps!  One last thing, the handguard shows the kind of cut-outs for the rear sights  which only show up on Firs World War rifles.

The rear sight collar is correct in that it is minus its lightening cuts.  The ladder is correct because it has no top “U” sight cut out.  The fore-end of the stock is correctly without grasping grooves.  The bolt is a Remington produced item with a flag safety to the rear.  This acts in three positions and shows the words “READY” and “SAFE”.  The upper face of the bolt arm stub has an electro-pencilled four-digit number on it – a practice associated with the USMC.  The number is “4239,”  this would be the last numerals of another rifle.  However, when this rifle reached the UK it was proofed with this bolt in position.  Finishes on the bolt are mixed between parkerised green and the original blueing.  The action has a good green parkerised finish to it as does the round barrel.

Just behind the front sight ramp the following is roll-pressed into the upper surface; ” R.  A.  / flaming bomb motif / 7 – 42″  The flaming bomb has been center punched.  Along with the “P” on the underside of the barrel showing, in front of the fore-end indicate the barrel has been proofed.  The front sight is a blade atop of a mounting block.  The rear sights have the multiple apertures and aiming facilities.  They are graduated up to 2750 for laying down volley fire.  They have the ability to be adjusted for windage.  They also have the correct flat sided knurled adjustment knobs in place which are “R” marked as is the ladder and the bed.

Condition is good all over.  The finish is slightly thin in places like the magazine floor plate and the front sight collar.  The rifle looks like it has seen military service certainly the stock does as well.  The action is mechanically fine.  The bore is a four groove type with good rifling its entire length, there is a small amount of misting within the grooves towards the breech but, no pitting.

Ask for  Stock No’  f 571

£ 1175. SOLD

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