Remington 1903-A4 Sniper 03A3 .30-06 M73B1 Scope Bolt Action Rifle 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3502
LSB#: 220124LV008
Make: Remington
Model: 1903-A4. Sniper Version of the 1903-A3.
Serial Number: 3419298
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: July, 1943
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3” and the right side is marked “ 3419298”. The top of the Remington barrel is marked “R A / flaming bomb / 7 – 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, right rear of the bolt body, rear of the safety lever, magazine disconnect lever, left side of the nosecap, stacking loop, and front sling loop are all stamped “R” for Remington. The extractor is marked “4”. The face of the grip is marked with a “P” proof. The base of the grip is akred with a “circled P” proof. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with 2 Arsenal Rebuild stamps. One is a post WWII Benicia Arsenal Rebuild stamp “BA / JPL in a box”. The other is a post WWII Arsenal Rebuild stamp from Anniston Arsenal “AA”.
The scope plate is marked “TELESCOPE M73B1 / PATD-PATS PEND. / W.R. WEAVER CO. / EL PASO . TEX U.S.A.”. The right rear of the scope is stamped “SERIAL NO.” and marked “25078” in electric pencil. The right rear of the scope base is marked “REDFIELD”.
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 surface erosion along the top. The one piece mount has two scope rings attached. The rings show oxidation. The base and rings are in Very Good condition. The rings hold a 2.5 fixed power scope with crosshairs reticle. The scope’s view is slightly dim. There are small, slightly dark and hazy spots along the bottom and left edge of the view. The scope tube shows surface erosion. The scope is in about Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The Type 9B stock is a “C” stock used for 03A4 rifles that fall within the serial number range from 3,407,088 to 3,427,087 (page 117). The bolt handle cut out is swept back to match the angle of the 1903A4 bolt handle. The Type 9B was made without finger grooves.
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 refinished nosecap has a small area of surface erosion showing through the finish. The handguard is missing a small piece of wood along the left edge. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches and compression marks which have been oiled. The LOP measures 13 1/4 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 to Arsenal Rebuild
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are grey. The rifling is sharp. There is erosion in the bore. The erosion is more prominent in the grooves and at the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.9.
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.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The metal shows scruffs, light scrapes, and a few small scratches. The left side of the receiver shows discoloration from both oil residue and oxidation. Most of the discoloration is from dried oil residue. 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.
The safety functions in the “FIRE” and “SAFE” positions. The safety lever will not fip straight up or to the right “SAFE & LOCKED” position. It is blocked by the scope.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with an M73B1 scope assembly; see above.
Our Assessment: 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, 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 looks great and is topped with a Weaver Model M73B1 scope. The rifle and scope should keep you smiling out at the range. This 1903A4 Sniper to add to your collection. Good luck.