U.S. WW2 1903-A3 by Remington. (f 469)………….SOLD

A good clean example of the America’s 1903-A3 Second World War Rifle by Remington

Exactly as the rifles were produced by Remington for the later part of the Second World War.  This is the standard 5-shot bolt action rifle which the US employed for its forces from late 1942 onward. December of that year was the first month to show production figures of the A3.  This fine example of the 03-A3 is clearly marked with “3749209” upon the receiver which directly relates to production records indicating manufacture in May or June of 1943.  This is important because the date upon the barrel just behind the fore-sight ramp is “5 – 43”  From this we know we are not looking at a rifle with a replacement barrel, despite the fine condition of the two groove bore.

This model was a refined version of its earlier namesake, the 1903.  Designed for expediency of production and reduction in costs this rifle still packs the same punch as its predecessors.  Chambered in .30-06 with a 5-shot internal magazine.  A Mauser-type flag safety bolt system which cocks on closing, it is fast and reliable.  It can be stripper clip fed from the top and can be set to hold open on the last round, or by the flick of a switch on the rear of the action it can be restricted to only  single round use.  There is very little to go wrong with this rifle, consequently the dirt and ingress of the battlefield could be tolerated by the mechanism to a certain degree.  The scales of accuracy had also been tipped in the favor of the new design by the lengthening of the distance between the front and rear sights. A simple aperture sight had been mounted to the rear of the action.  It possessed both windage and elevation and by design quicker target acquisition.

Still accurate with a two groove bore, the military had realised that most effective fire was only engaged at fairly close ranges. Therefore, the extra time and effort that were needed to produce the original four-groove bore could be saved by changing to two grooves.  The machine gun had really taken over the role of suppressing fire at distance by that stage in warfare. Never-the less the role of the rifleman was by no means obsolete, hence the high numbers of these rifles that were required by all branches of the services.

This rifle is 43.1/2″ long.  The round phosphate finished barrel is 24″ long.  It weighs in at 8lb 3oz.  The receiver is marked  “U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3 / 3749209”.  The finish over all the metal parts of the rifle are in the original mat phosphate grey-green.  All the furniture on the American Black Walnut straight grip stock are of the pressed steel type including the checkered butt-plate with trap for cleaning equipment.  There are multiple “R” for Remington marks all over the rifle including the bolt.  The stock bears the “S.A” open-boxed cartouche.  This is a Springfield rebuild mark. Not to be confused with the S.A. Boxed cartouche of the San-Antonio arsenal.

The barrel is marked with the following, behind the sight ramp; “R.A. / ‘punched’ Flaming Bomb / 5 – 43 ”  There is a solitary “P” under the barrel just in front of the wood-work and traces of  two circled “P” marks impressed into the wrist behind the pressed steel trigger guard.  Condition is good all over and the stock is in fine condition with a semi-mat finish.

Altogether, although plain in some collectors eyes, there is an awful lot of history to this rifle and it is here, ready to take possession of  for the next keeper.  London proofs recently applied and ready to try out on the range in original military configuration.  One very clean 1903-A3 by Remington.

Stock No’ f 469

£ 1150….SOLD

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