Remington 1903 WW2 U.S. Service Rifle……..SOLD

A WW II U.S. Service Rifle by Remington

This is the excellent Remington built 1903 Rifle used by U.S. services throughout both World Wars.  Built by Remington in the Second World War until March 1943.  This rifle was know in the services as the “1903 Modified”  – a strange  nomcalture  considering that the only modifications were the dropping of several features.  The motivation behind this being the slim-lining of production costs and time.  The main differences were the dropping of the “lightening cuts” in the sight collar and the dropping of the finger grooves in the stock.  Shortly after production at Remington switched to the 1903-A3 which was very different.  The Remington 03′ has a “Mauser” type bolt action, with a five shot internal magazine and flag safety system.

The serial number of this rifle is 3055354, records indicate manufacture in March 1942.  The rifle is 43.1/4″ in length.  The barrel is 23.3/4″ long.  Trigger pull length is 12.5/8″.  The receiver is marked as follows:  ” U.S / REMINGTON / MODEL 1903 / 3055354″  Each side of the receiver has gas escape holes bored through into the bolt face area to allow for a larger margin of safety should a cae fail in the breech.    The action is finished in the green parkerized finish, as is the rear sight barrel collar and the rear sight.  The bolt with turned down handle is of mixed finish, with some blued components all are marked with an “R”.  There is a flag safety at the rear marked “SAFE” and “READY”.  The the LHS rear of the action there is a magazine cut-off switch, marked “ON” and “OFF”.  This acts on the bolt so, restricting movement of the bolt and stopping it from feeding from the magazine if required.   The magazine restriction switch also acts as a bolt release catch if moved to the horizontal position, it is blued.   The mix of finish is quite correct for these rifles.

The rear sight works in the horizontal position through a simple open “U-notch” lining up with a plain foresight blade.  When raised the sights provide a further three aiming  points, two notches, one with windage and an aperture.  The sights are graduated to 2750 yards.  Windage can be dialled in by the larger adjustment wheel at the front of the unit.  The graduations for left and right are at the rear of the block.  All the components are marked with a single “R” meaning they were produced at Remington.

The rifle is stocked in American Black Walnut.  It is a straight grip stock with a slim wrist and a separate handguard over the barrel with a hump to protect the rear-sights.   This 03 stock has the two cross bolts under the action.  The wrist has cartouches impressed into the LHS.  It has the crossed cannons escutcheon and the boxed “RLB” initials of Col. Roy. L. Bowlin.  In front of the trigger guard assembly on the underside of the stock are four sub-inspectors marks.  The trigger guard and floor plate are the early milled fittings which have adopted a fine plumb brown grey patina.  Just behind the trigger guard is the final proof single “P” in a circle.  The stock is in good condition but it does have damage which looks possibly to be battle damage.  There are however no splits or repairs.  Plain steel buttplate with trap for cleaning equipment.

Behind the fore-sight are the barrel markings which indicate this is the original barrel to the action.  They are marked on the upper side as follows; ” R.A.  / flaming bomb motif /  3  – 42.”  The bore is in very good condition, with bright strong,  four groove rifling with a right hand twist.  The action is mechanically fine and the rifle cycles well.

Stock No’  f 399

£ 925…….SOLD

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