WWII M1903-A3 B/A US Service Rifle by Remington………..(f 566) SOLD

A very good 1903-A3 by Remington

Entirely in standard military specification.  The main US bolt action service rifle for the period of the Second World War.  These rifles were the result of a rethink by the US authorities over the subjects of production time and cost.  A number of decisions were taken to reduce these over riding factors and the result was the A3 as produced by Remington and Smith-Corona.  The stock was vastly simplified along with the handguard.  The back sight was simplified and moved rearward to be mounted upon the rear action bridge.  Many of the stock fittings were stamped out as opposed to being cast and then further worked upon.  Although the result lacked the character of the original 03’s, some of the measures actually produced an easier rifle to use, and some of the measures actually improved the accuracy of the rifle.  In the eyes of a regular soldier the rifle became easier to use, target acquisition was improved by the aperture sight yet the knock down ability of the round was in no way compromised.

The rifle is still chambered for the .30-06 govt’ cartridge.  The magazine capacity remained unchanged with an internal 5-shot magazine – stripper clip loaded.   This A3 has been through the Ogden Arsenal  which serviced and rebuilt the rifles when they were finished with by the Army.  This is evident by the “O G” cartouche on the LHS of the butt.  Overall the rifles measures 43.3/8″ in length.  The round parkerised barrel is 24″ long.  The trigger pull is 12.3/4″.  The A3 is stocked in straight grained American Black Walnut with two cross bolts and a single piece handguard over the barrel.  The stock is very good condition and if it spent any time in the military after reconditioning it was in no way a hard life as dents and dings are minimal.

Visible cartouches and inspection stamps are as follows:- A large circled “P” behind the trigger guard on the underside of the wrist. “O G” as mentioned above.  On the LHS of the wrist  is a clear “R A” stamp for Remington Arms.  The Crossed Cannons of the Remington factory.  Lastly, still on the wrist, a boxed “FJA” the chief inspector Frank James Attwood at Remington at that time.  There are four clear individual internal factory inspection stamps just forward of the trigger guard assembly.  Overall the walnut stock has a pleasing, even, semi-matt finish.

All the metal components of the rifle appear to be in their original mixed finishes.  It is known that many of the components which were used to complete these rifles were finished at different plants, therefore it is entirely correct to have mixed finishes in a standard American military rifle.  This A3 has managed to escape the fate of many of the heavily used weapons that returned for refurbishment, in that it does not have any of the over-heavy green parkerising to it.  As a matter of note, all the Parkerising that has been carried out is more of the grey type, as opposed to the green.  The other remaining components such as butt-plate, barrel bands, swivels etc are all in a fine military blue with hardly any sign of wear.

Markings on the receiver are as follows and clearly legible, as if produced yesterday:- ” U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3 / 3997757″  The serial number denotes a rifle produced in early October 1943.  Other markings on various component parts of the bolt and cut-off switch etc are mostly a solitary “R” in each case which are simple Remington inspection or acceptance stamps.  The barrel markings give more details of production:- “R A / flaming bomb motif / 8 – 43″  The dates are close enough to believe the barrel is original but just taken from a batch made slightly earlier than the receiver.  The rear sight is a sliding aperture on a ramp which is equipped for windage and is graduated from 200 to 800 yards.  The front is a simple “C” marked blade mounted on a block.  It has a spring mounted clip-on foresight protector which is martially marked with the “flaming bomb motif / U S” the other side a simple “R”.

Internally the bore is in very good condition.  It is the standard two-grove type ( another effective war-time expediency ) It is completely corrosion free and has strong uninterrupted rifling with a right-hand twist.  The grey finished bolt with blued safety and shroud has as the standard Mauser-type with a three position flag safety to the rear; the flag being marked “READY” and “SAFE”.  Bolt action is smooth and positive.  This rifle has been freshly head-spaced so accuracy should be good.  The magazine cut-off is located at the rear LHS of the action and is marked “ON” & “OFF”  One has to regard the magazine cut-off as a device that is either on or off.  When levelled at the mid position the switch doubles at the bolt release allowing the same to be withdrawn to the rear.  It is interesting to note that the bolt arm stub is marked on the upper face with a simple “c c” stamping.  This is the mark of the sub-contractor the Chrysler Corporation who made various component parts for the rifle.

A plain enough looking rifle from a distance but, if you know where to look, a mine of WW2 information.  Clean and in excellent, almost in “sleeper” condition.  Freshly proofed and ready to be taken out again.  A collectible yet very functional rifle for any military rifle collection.

Ask for Stock No’ f 566

£ 1100…  SOLD

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