Exccellent Model 1903-A3 Remington Rifle……..( f 630)SOLD

Superb U.S. 03-A3 Remington Army Service Rifle

Serial number 3997757 for February 1943.  Standard specifications as produced by Remington at that stage in World War Two.  Chambered in .30-06 with a five shot internal magazine.  The whole rifle is in spectacular, apparently unused condition.  This may be explained by markings and indications on the rifle.  The serial number pinpoints production of the action, as mentioned above, but the date on the barrel is considerably later than normally observed between the two. The date on the barrel is August 1943.  It may be that this rifle was produced as the production rate momentarily slowed; as another hint appears on the side of the butt in the form of an “O.G” Ogden Arsenal mark.  It is known that a certain number of rifles were purely unpacked, inspected and then repacked at that location and within that time period.  The condition and appearance of parts on this rifle would indicate that this could be a distinct possibility.

This rifle is correctly assembled with mixed finish parts.  It is immediately apparent that grey-green phosphate finished parts are assembled alongside blued parts.  As was normal at the time that these parts might be made by various sub-contractors, therefore finished differently and then inspected and assembled at Remington.  This explains how it is, that parts that carry the same Remington acceptance parts, sit side by side and yet be in completely different finishes.  It is often the case when these rifles have been refinished after service, and put into storage by the army, they are often covered in the strong green phosphate finish. In this way they look more correct, but, they have their own history.  The mixed finish is in fact, the more original of the two.

The rifle measures 43.1/4″ in overall length.  The round phosphated barrel is 24″ long.  The Pull  length is 12.5/8″ to center.  The rifle operates through a Mauser-type bolt system with a flag safety to the rear.  The safety has three positions, “SAFE” is marked on one side and “READY” on the other.  As if to illustrate the paragraphs above the bolt as a unit, has mixed finishes.  The bolt body and arm are phosphate finished; the shroud, cocking piece, safety, and ejector claw are blued.  The shroud and cocking piece are also marked with the “R”  of Remington.  Another interesting mark appears on the upper surface of bolt stub; “CC”  This is the sub contractors marking indicating manufacture by the Chrysler Corporation.  The rifles’ action is finished with the original dark green phosphate finish but the rear sights and bracket, mounted on top of the rear action bridge, are blued.  The aperture sight is clearly graduated from 200 to 800 yards.  Windage is effected by a knurled adjustment wheel on the RHS of the bracket. Windage graduation is marked on the rear of the bracket.  The magazine cut-off is mounted at the left rear of the action and restricts rearward movement of the bolt.

The rifle is stocked in a single piece American Black Walnut  stock with twin cross bolts.  The single piece handguard which sits over the barrel is secured by a single barrel band, nose-cap and front band.  All the parts are finished in a highly blued state.  They are all the correct pressed steel, later production parts.  The trigger plate and guard are also the later type pressed steel.  The blued checked steel butt-plate has a trap for cleaning equipment and retains all of its finish.  The barrel is marked behind the front sight with the following, “R.A / flaming bomb / 8 – 43.”  Twin sling swivels and stacking hook.  The front sight has the addition of a sight protector marked with the Ordnance Flaming Bomb over “US.”

The stock has some markings from the factory such as the circled “P” final inspection mark behind the trigger guard.  Just ahead of the trigger floor plate are the markings which appear on the stock during the manufacturing process.  On the LHS of the wrist are three more cartouches; The “RA” of Remington Arms.  The crossed cannons of the ordnance department and the final boxed “FJA” of Frank, J, Atwood.  All of these marks just add to the authenticity of the rifle.  Further back on the same side is the plain OG mark of the Ogden Arsenal.

This is a fine almost completely undisturbed rifle from the Second World War.  The bore is in fine condition with two grove spotless rifling.  Freshly London proofed after arriving in the UK.

Stock No’ f 630

£ 1200.  SOLD

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