Remington 1903-A4 Sniper 03A3 .30-06 M73B1 Scope Bolt Action Rifle 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $4,000

LSB#: 231009MM002

Make: Remington

Model: 1903-A4 (Sniper Version of the 1903-A3)

Serial Number: 3425948. 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: August, 1943

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Magazine

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 scope base is attached to the top of the receiver by screws and by the rear sight base. It shows light scrapes & light discoloration. The one piece mount has two scope rings attached. The rings show scratches. They hold a 2.5 fixed power scope with crosshairs reticle. The glass appears clear, but the view is slightly dim. The scope tube shows scrapes, thin scratches, thinning and discoloration from oxidation. The scope assembly is in about Very Good condition. The front ring has some minor movement to the base.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock has been refurbished or replaced. The 1903 stock is a “Scant-Grip” style stock which was used for 03A4. The markings have been lost and the bolt handle cut out has been lengthened (pages 116-117). The bolt handle cut out shows a small glued crack that has been repaired. The bolt handle cut out is swept back to match the angle of the 1903A4 bolt handle but it is not an original cutout.
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 butplate shows scrapes & small scratches. The top of the grip shows a thin crack. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches, and compression marks which have been oiled. 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 overall condition as refurbished.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The two grooved bore is mostly bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There are some scattered spots of pitting in the bore. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.7. In my opinion, this bore rates 8 out of 10.
According to page 354 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, Remington sniper rifles were made with 2 groove and 4 groove barrels.

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 95% of its metal finish. The metal shows scruffs, light scrapes, and areas of discoloration. Much of the discoloration is from dried oil residue. The bottom metal also shows scratches. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

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 an M73B1 scope assembly; see above.
The rifle has a leather sling attached. It shows scrapes, surface creasing, and discoloration. It also shows surface cracks at the rear sling loop. The buckles show scrapes & oxidation. It is in about Very Good condition.

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 and 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 has a strong bright barrel and is topped with a Weaver Model M73B1 scope. The rifle and scope should keep you smiling out at the range. This is a good looking 1903A4 Sniper to add to your collection.  Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red