WWII Smith Corona 1903A3 03-A3 .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1425
LSB#: 211001TP04
Make: Smith Corona
Model: 1903A3 (03A3)
Serial Number: 4790010
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (page 375 of Joe Poyer’s book, The 1903 Springfield Rifle – 3rd Edition). Barrel Date: August, 1943
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SMITH-CORONA / MODEL 03-A3 / 4790010”. The top of the Smith Corona barrel is marked “S C / flaming bomb / 8 43”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “P”. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The bottom of the bolt handle and rear of the bolt assembly (twice) are marked “R” for Remington. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked “FJA in a box” next to a “crossed cannons” cartouche; these marks are faded. The bottom of the grip is marked with “circled P” proof. The wood in front of the magazine floor plate is marked with a few inspection stamps that consist of “boxed & circled numbers”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade set atop a raised base. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture sight marked from “2-8”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a straight grip, nosecap with bayonet lug, barrel band, stacking loop, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows several scrapes & scratches. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Many have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are gray and the rifling is deep. There is fouling and erosion in the grooves and at the muzzle. There are a few areas of more prominent erosion in the bore. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.2.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The metal shows light scrapes, small scratches and discoloration from both oil residue and oxidation. The most prominent marks are on the front sight band. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: When the US Army was looking for a rifle design to replace the 1898 Krag rifle, they looked directly at the Spanish Model 1893 Mauser. This was due to the fact that the performance of the Model 1893 Mauser was far superior than that of the 1898 Krag during the Spanish-American War. The Model 1903 is basically a redesigned Mauser clone. A U.S. Patent Court eventually found that the U.S. Army had violated Mauser’s patents and required the U.S. Army to pay the German Mauser manufacturers patent royalties. Payments were stopped once WWI started. The 1903 has a strong reliable action that served the Army for over thirty years in two world wars.
The 1903A3 is an improved version of the 1903 rifle that was introduced in 1942. The most significant change was the switch to a receiver bridge-mounted rear aperture sight.
This Smith Corona 03A3 was made during WWII. The rifle has nice Smith Corona markings on the receiver & barrel. These markings add to the rifle’s history. The metal finish & wood are in pretty good shape for a wartime rifle that is almost 80 years old. This Smith Corona 1903A3 looks good and will add to your Military collection. Good luck.