WWII Remington 1903-A4 Sniper 03A3 .30-06 Repro Scope Bolt Action Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $3225

LSB#: 220117RW033

Make: Remington

Model: 1903-A4. Sniper Version of the 1903-A3.

Serial Number: 3407894
The rifle falls within the correct serial number range (3,407,088 to 3,427,087) for the 1st block of model 1903-A4 Sniper Rifles (page 72 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition).

Year of Manufacture: 1943 (page 374). Barrel Date: February, 1943

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Magazine

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3” and the right side is marked “ 3407894”. The top of the Remington barrel is marked “R A / flaming bomb / 2 – 43”. The bottom of the barrel is marked with a partial “P” and a second partial stamping. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The underside of the bolt handle, magazine disconnect lever and front sling loop are stamped “R” for Remington.
The reproduction Hi-Lux Malcom scope is marked “M82G2 / HI-LUX OPTICS / SN:00319”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front and rear sights have been removed to facilitate the use of a scope.
A one piece Redfield style scope base is attached to the top of the receiver by screws and by the rear sight base. The one piece mount has two scope rings attached. The refinished base and rings show areas of discoloration. The rings hold a 2.5 fixed power scope with a thin tapered post reticle reticle. The scope’s view appears clear. The scope tube shows scrapes & scratches. The scope assembly is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The Type 9B stock is a “C” stock used for 03A4 rifles that fall within the serial number range from 3,407,088 to 3,427,087 (page 117). The bolt handle cut out is swept back to match the angle of the 1903A4 bolt handle. The Type 9B was made without finger grooves.
The two piece oil stained hardwood has a pistol grip, nose cap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, two sling loops, two through bolts, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The top of the grip shows surface repairs around the rear tang of the receiver and is missing a section of surface wood at the rear of the tang. The wood shows scattered scrapes, scratches and compression marks which have been oiled. The LOP measures 13 1/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The grooves are semi bright and the rifling is deep. There is fouling in the grooves which should clean up some. There is no erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish as refinished. The metal shows scrapes and thin scratches. The barrel shows light discoloration. The receiver & bolt show operational wear and have areas of surface erosion showing through the new finish. The screw heads show heavy use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a reproduction scope assembly; see above. It also comes with a South Korean marked green canvas sling and a receipt showing that it was purchased by an NRA member through the DCM. The Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) was the forerunner to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).

Our Assessment:  Our Assessment: When the United States Military entered World War II in 1941, there was not a single sniper rifle in military inventory. All the sniper rifles developed for use during World War I had long since been disposed of.
On the Eastern Front, and Soviet troops had deployed thousands of sniper rifles to great effect. The British and Canadians had resurrected World War I-vintage sniper rifles and were using them to good effect in Africa.
U.S. forces were in need of a new sniper rifle. The U.S. Army’s Ordnance Department decided that a sniper rifle could be made quickly based on the Model 1903A3 rifle that was just beginning to come off the production lines at Remington. By the end of 1943, the new Model 1903A4 sniper rifle began to reach front line troops. The new sniper rifle was essentially a modified Model 1903A3 infantry rifle. 1903-A4 receivers are marked “MODEL 03-A3” so that any rifle rejected as a 1903A4 Sniper could be used as a service rifle.
WWII Remington Sniper rifles are highly valued by collectors due to their relatively low production numbers and their contribution to the war effort.

This Remington Model 1903-A4 Sniper Rifle has nice Remington markings on the receiver, barrel and bolt. Its receiver markings are offset to read them with a scope base installed. The rifle is in 1903-A4 sniper configuration and has the correct serial number to fall within the 1903-A4 serial number ranges. It looks great and is topped with a reproduction scope. The rifle was purchased through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) which was the forerunner to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The rifle has since been refinished. This 1903A4 Sniper to add to your collection. Good luck.

WWII Remington 1903-A4 Sniper 03A3 .30-06 Repro Scope Bolt Action Rifle C&R
WWII Remington 1903-A4 Sniper 03A3 .30-06 Repro Scope Bolt Action Rifle C&R