Remington 1903A3 03-A3 .30-06 WWII Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1025

LSB#: 210227AM09

Make: Remington

Model: 1903A3 (03-A3)

Serial Number: 3931098

Year of Manufacture: 1943 (page 375 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition). Barrel Date: October 1943

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3 / 3931098”. The top of the barrel is marked “R A / flaming bomb / 10- 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 grip is marked with a “circled P” proof. The bottom of the forend is stamped with boxed and circled numbers in front of the bottom metal. The right side of the front sight base is marked “R”. The right rear of the bolt is marked “R”. There are a few other small markings on the rifle. The barrel and receiver markings have white color fill.

Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade set in a raised base. The front sight blade appears aftermarket. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture sight marked from “2-8” on the top and “0” with hash marks on the rear.

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 stock appears refinished. The stocks have a few dings, scuffs, and compressions. There are a few little scrapes that appear to have removed surface wood. The deepest marks are on the left side behind the barrel band. There is what is either a repair or a knot in the wood on the left side of the wrist. There are a few faint scattered draglines. The LOP measures 12 ¾ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered light wear. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Refurbishment

Bore Condition: The 2 grooved bore is mostly gray with sharp rifling and scattered light erosion with a few minor pits. The bore has been counterbored but it is uneven.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the edges. There are scattered spots of discoloration from previous oxidation. There are some little nicks and scratches, most noticeable on the bottom metal and barrel. There is a bit of erosion on the receiver in front of the trench block. The bottom metal has some finish loss from abrasive cleaning and some little nicks and dings. There is standard operational wear. The screw heads show light use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good 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 olive green nylon sling. There is some scuffing and fraying to the nylon and some scratches and scuffs to the metal. The sling is in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: The M1903 Springfield rifle is a clip-loaded 5 round magazine-fed bolt-action service rifle. It was adopted as the standard United States military bolt-action rifle in 1903 and served our country through two world wars even after it was “replaced” by the M1 Garand in 1937. It continued to serve as a sniper rifle through the Korean war and into the early days of the Vietnam war. It remains popular as a civilian firearm, historical collector’s piece and as a military drill rifle. This one was made by Remintgon in 1943 and has mice markings and some wear to the metal. This ill be a nice addition to your C&R or military surplus collection. Please see our photos and good luck!