WWII Remington 1903A4 03-A4 Sniper M84 Scope .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $6691.66
LSB#: 230219DA005
Make: Remington
Model: 1903A4. Sniper Version of the 1903A3.
Serial Number: 3420686. The rifle falls within the proper serial number range for a 1903A4 Sniper.
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (page 375 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition)
Barrel Date: August 1943
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3” and the right side is marked “3420686”. The top of the barrel is marked “R A / 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 underside of the bolt handle and many of the small metal parts are stamped “R” for Remington. The bottom of the grip is marked with a partial “circled P” proof. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked “RA”, with a “crossed cannons” cartouche, and with a boxed inspector’s cartouche containing “FJA”. The left side of the butt is stamped with a boxed Arsenal Rebuild stamp from the Rock Island Arsenal “RIA / EB”. The belly of the stock has been restamped with small inspection stamps.
The scope base is marked “REDFIELD”. The plate on the rear of the scope is marked “TELESCOPE / M84” and with the scope’s serial number.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front and rear sights have been removed to use the scope. The top rear of the receiver has an integral base. A one piece Redfield scope mount is secured to the integral base and screwed to the receiver. The mount has two scope rings attached. The rings hold the refurbished M84 scope. The scope uses a post & horizontal line reticle. The view is mostly clear but shows a few small black specks. The scope assembly shows a few scrapes & light handling marks.
The M84 was mounted on a small number of 1903A4 Sniper Rifles that were Arsenal Rebuilt during the 1950s and 1960s, a number of which saw duty in Vietnam (page 74 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The rifle uses a scant grip stock which is correct for an 03A4. The markings above the trigger are also correct. This scant grip stock has had its grip slightly sanded and shaped. The two piece oil stained hardwood stock has a semi pistol grip, metal nose cap, stacking loop, barrel band, two sling loops, two through bolts, cutout for the bolt handle, scallop under the magazine cutoff, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The cutout for the bolt handle is slightly swept to the rear to match the 1903A4’s modified bolt handle. The wood shows scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. The most prominent mark is on the right side of the but. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The rifle uses a 2 grooved bore. The muzzle is light gray and the grooves are semi bright. The rifling is sharp. There is erosion at the muzzle and light intermittent erosion in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.5.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish as refinished. The metal shows scuffs and handling marks. The barrel and bottom metal show a few scrapes. Most of the markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The safety lever works but does not turn past the rear of the scope. This is a design flaw due to the expedited implementation of the 03-A4 Sniper Rifle during war time. This condition is common for 03-A4 Rifles and not unique to this rifle.
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 scope assembly; see above. It also comes with a green canvas sling.
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, Na zi 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 great Remington markings on the receiver, barrel, bolt, and other small parts. 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 is topped with an M84 scope. The M84 was mounted on a small number of 1903A4 Sniper Rifles that were Arsenal Rebuilt during the 1950s and 1960s, a number of which saw duty in Vietnam. This is a good looking 1903A4 Sniper to add to your collection.
…Now go shoot something!
