Remington Model 1903, RARE New Zealand Lend Lease, Parkerized 24” Bolt Action Military CMP Rifle, MFD 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,505.00
LSB#: 160330AA03
Make: Remington
Model: 1903
Serial Number: 3000694
Year of Manufacture: 1941 (page 374 of Joe Poyer’s book, The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, Third Edition) Barrel Date 10 – 41
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 1903 / 3000694”. The top of the barrel is marked “R A / flaming bomb / 10 – 41”. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The right rear of the bolt body, underside of the bolt handle, the front sight, the front sight cover, the rear sight base, the rear sight ladder, the right side of the trigger guard, the barrel band and the nose cap are all marked “R” for Remington. The front sight cover is also marked “flaming bomb / U.S.”. The magazine floor plate is stamped with a faded “B”. The bottom of the grip is marked with a “circled P” firing proof. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with the Ordnance Department’s “crossed cannons” cartouche followed by the correct inspector’s cartouche “RLB in a box” (Roy L. Bowlin 1941-1942 at Remington Arms; see page 404 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, Third Edition). The left side of the buttstock is marked “N broad arrow Z” and “6973”. The “N arrow Z” is a New Zealand Government property mark (see page 149 of, The Springfield 1903 Rifles, by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy, USAR, Ret.). The sling is marked “W.T. & B.CO / 1918” (manufacturer / date) and “R.E.W.” (the inspector).
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a raised base. A removable sight cover is in place. The rear sight is a “U” notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder marked from “3-27”. When flipped up separate notches and an aperture on the ladder can be used for sighting.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood has a pistol grip, finger grooves, metal nosecap, stacking loop, barrel band, two sling loops, two through bolts and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. A metal tube and cleaning tools are stored in the butt. The underside of the forearm is deeply scraped ahead of the barrel band and is missing two pieces of surface wood next to the nosecap. The left side of the grip is missing pieces of surface wood. The stock shows other scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some are deep and have removed surface wood. These marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 12 3/4 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: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original. The bolt and nosecap have been refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is crisp. There is no visible erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The bolt and nosecap have been refinished. The front of the barrel, front sight (under the cover) and the area under the rear sight show scrapes and scratches. The receiver shows scrapes and a few light scratches. The bottom metal shows scrapes, frosting and discoloration from oxidation. The buttplate shows small scratches and thinning. There are various other light marks on the metal. The bottom metal screw heads show heavy use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine 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: The rifle comes with lots paperwork that shows the rifle was purchased through a Civilian Marksmanship Program Auction (CMP). Unfortunately there is no CMP certificate in the paperwork. The rifle comes with a leather sling that shows scrapes, cracking and oxidation on the metal tabs. It is in about Good condition. A metal oiler & thong case is stored in the butt. The metal tube is dented and shows oxidation. It is in about Good to Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This early WWII Remington Model 1903 was made back in 1941. It found its way to New Zealand under the Lend Lease agreement between the U.S. and other Allied Powers. It was purchased through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The rifle has nice deep markings on the metal including lots of little Remington “R” stampings. The stock is marked with the Ordnance Department’s “crossed cannons” cartouche and with the correct Remington inspector’s stampings. The buttstock is marked with New Zealand property markings. This is a nice piece of history to add to your collection.
The following was taken from page 149 of, The Springfield 1903 Rifles, by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy, USAR, Ret.: “Like the British marked ‘03s, the New Zealand rifles were early Remington M1903’s having milled parts, straight stocks with finger grooves, low 3,000,000 serial numbers, and the usual Remington proof and inspection marks. The metal parts did not have and N.Z. marks added. But the stocks were stamped with a serial number and N broad arrow Z (The broad arrow mark identifies government property…)” It should be noted that the serial number on the stock is different from the rifle’s serial number. This is correct for a New Zealand Lend Lease rifle. The photo and example rifle listed in Brophy’s book also has a different serial number on the stock.
