Smith Corona 1903-A3 03A3 .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1943 C&R
Sold For: $1,025
LSB#: 201001DW01
Make: Smith Corona
Model: 1903-A3
Serial Number: 3685704
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (see page 375 of Joe Poyer’s book, The 1903 Springfield Rifle, 3rd Edition). Barrel Date: May, 1943
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SMITH-CORONA / MODEL 03-A3 / 3685704”. The top of the Smith Corona barrel is marked “S C / flaming bomb / 5 – 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 is stamped “1” and with a punch mark. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with a faded Ordnance Department “crossed cannons” cartouche, and ”FJA in a box” (inspector Frank J. Atwood, Remington Arms/Smith Corona 1942-1944, page 399 of The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition). The bottom of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof. The belly of the stock is marked with 4 inspection stamps just ahead of the magazine. The bottom of the sling appears to be marked with the faded stampings “A.R.S” and ”AFCO / 1918” next to the buckle.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a raised base. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture sight marked from “2-8”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a straight grip, metal nose cap, stacking loop, 2 barrel bands, 2 sling loops, 2 reinforcing pins, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows small scratches, thinning, and oxidation. The nosecap & front barrel band show light surface erosion. The front barrel band also shows thinning. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Many of these marks have damaged small portions of the surface wood. Most of these marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 12 ¾ 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 grey. The rifling is deep. There is erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.3.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and areas of discoloration. The front of the barrel & front sight show scratches & thinning. The bottom metal shows some oxidation. The screw heads show moderate 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: The rifle comes with a leather sling. It shows scrapes, cracking, discoloration, and areas of surface loss. Overall it is in about Good condition.
Our Assessment: This Smith Corona 03-A3 was made during WWII. It is in nice shape with deep Smith-Corona markings on the barrel and receiver. This is a good looking Military rifle that should be fun out at the range. range. This Smith-Corona is a piece of Military history and will add to your collection.
Here is some interesting history from an American Rifleman article on the Smith Corona 1903-A3 (www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2010/3/12/the-smith-corona-03a3s/:) “While Remington was struggling with increasing its production rate, the Ordnance Dept. sought other manufacturing sources for new ’03 production. To this end, in January 1942 the Ordnance Dept. began negotiations with High Standard Mfg. Co. of New Haven, Conn., for the production of 100,000 ’03 rifles. High Standard was interested in the contract, but it was already operating at near peak capacity with existing contracts and would be unable to serve as prime contractor on the new project. The company offered to accept the contract if it would be permitted to manufacture only the barrels and subcontract the rest of the production, including assembly of the rifles, to the L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriter Co. of Syracuse, N.Y. The Ordnance Dept. was reluctant to agree to such a proposal and, logically, took the position that Smith-Corona should be named prime contractor with High Standard serving as the subcontractor for barrel production. Since the Smith-Corona factory was in relatively close proximity to the Remington plant, it was believed that the latter would be able to assist the new manufacturer with the technical aspects of rifle production. All parties concurred with the proposal and on Feb. 25, 1942, Smith-Corona was granted a contract for M1903 rifle production. While Smith-Corona was in the process of procuring the necessary manufacturing equipment, the M1903A3 rifle superseded the M1903. Accordingly, in May 1942 Smith-Corona’s contract was modified to substitute the M1903A3 for the M1903 rifle.”
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable? (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R rifle can be transferred in California. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
