U.S. Remington 1903-A3 Service Rifle…..SOLD

A really good 1903-A3 by Remington in excellent original condition

Well, what to say?  They really do not turn up in this kind of condition very often.  This is a truly unmolested example.  The fact that there are mixed finishes, actually points to the fact that, when this gun went into refurb, that upon assessment, it was actually felt that the finishes were in good enough condition that re-finishing would be an unnecessary process. So, essentially, it has stayed as it was originally issued.  Remington had parts made by different machine shops and companies, so various items arrived at the Remington plant with a variety of different finishes applied. The parts were inspected by Remington inspectors and then stamped with the “R”.  The end result, was, for instance, the grey-green parkerised finish of the action and receiver which contrasts with the smart blued finish of the bolt assembly.

This A3 is of standard U.S. Army specification.  Chambered in the tried and tested government caliber of .30-06.  Internally the rifle has a magazine which holds five rounds.  The rifle can be operated as a single shot weapon or a stripper clip fed, bolt action repeater.  There is a cut-off switch on the rear LHS of the action which effects the distance the bolt will travel backwards. This either allows the next round to be picked up by the bolt, or, stops short of the rear end of the magazine follower, and thus presenting an empty follower, ready to have the next round manually placed in position, to be chambered by the operator.  The cut-off switch is clearly marked “ON” or “OFF” telling the soldier that the device is operating or not.

The rifle is serial numbered “3987320” This puts production in July / August 1943.  The parkerised receiver is very sharply marked: “U.S./ REMINGTON /MODEL 03-A3 / 3987320″.  This ties in with the markings on the barrel, behind the front sight.  The markings are as follows; ” R A  / (punched) flaming bomb / 7- 43 ”   The barrel is once again parkerised and has a fine to excellent four-grove bore.  Right hand twist.  There is no pitting or misting and the groves are deep, the lands sharp.

The rear receiver bridge is fitted with a simple ramp sight.  It has a sliding aperture and on the right side it is graduated to 800 yards.  Externally mounted on the right of the sight guard is a knurled wheel which effects the adjustment  for wind deflection. In the correct fashion all of the rifles stock furniture is of the stamped type – a measure designed to save time, money and materials in the production process. The rear sight is complimented by a simple blade fore-sight which is marked with an “A”. All the stock furniture is marked with the “R” inspectors initial. The butt-plate is checkered and has a trap for cleaning equipment (A/F)

The 1903-A3 has a Mauser-type bolt which cocks on closing.  It is fitted with a flag safety marked “READY ” and on the other face ” SAFE”. It is possible to lock the bolt down and de-cock the rifle with different practiced  movements of the bolt.   All the individual components of the bolt are marked with the Remington “R”.  The bolt is nicely finished in a blue finish which has worn with use.  Underneath the rifle is the correct stamped combined trigger guard and magazine floor plate.  On these rifles it is not possible to “dump” the rounds as the floor-plate is one piece and can not be opened.

The straight wrist stock is in wonderful condition with an even finish all over.  There are clear traces of inspection cartouches.  On the LHS of the wrist is a clear “F.J.A” and the crossed cannons of Remington.  Just forward of the cut-off indent is a boxed cartouche which appears to be; “C.-S.A.A.” which is a San Antonio Arsenal rebuild mark.  They are very faint but it is possible in the right light to just see the final proof circled “P” just behind the trigger guard.  In front of the trigger guard are the four factory inspectors marks commonly found on A3’s.  Both the stock and hand guard are in very good condition. It is of American Black walnut and has a strong dark pattern which contrasts a rich orange gold toned back-ground.  London proofs applied 2015.

This rifle is in wonderful condition for both the shooter and the collector,  This must have seen fairly light service.  A real “sleeper”.

Stock No’ f 470

£ 1080……SOLD

 

 

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