Remington 1903-A4 Sniper 03A3 .30-06 Weaver 330 Scope Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $4825.05
LSB#: 220209FH020
Make: Remington
Model: 1903-A4. Sniper Version of the 1903-A3.
Serial Number: 3418229
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: June, 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 “3418229”. The top of the Remington barrel is marked “R A / flaming bomb / 6 – 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, nosecap, stacking loop, and front sling loop are all stamped “R” for Remington. The scallop for the magazine disconnect is marked “K”. The bottom of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof.
The scope plate is marked “MODEL 330 / PATD-PATS PEND. / W.R. WEAVER CO. / EL PASO . TEX U.S.A.”; the military designation of the Weaver 330 scope is TELESCOPE M73B1. The scope markings are consistent with markings on 03-A4 scopes (page 356).
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. The one piece mount has two scope rings attached. The base & rings show small scrapes & handling marks. The rings also show scratches. The rings hold a 2.5 fixed power scope with tapered post reticle. The view appears clear. There are small black flecks at the bottom right edge of the view. The scope tube shows scrapes and thin scratches. The scope assembly is in about Very Good Plus condition. A leather lens cover is included.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The Type 9A stock is a replacement “C” stock used for 03A4 rifles (page 117). The bolt handle cut out is swept back to match the angle of the 1903A4 bolt handle. The Type 9A 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 buttpate shows scrapes, thin scratches and discoloration. The wood is missing small edge chips at the front of the bottom metal. The bottom of the forearm shows scrapes from the barrel band. The right side of the forearm shows several small scratches & compression marks. The wood shows other scattered scrapes and scratches. The LOP measures 13 1/8 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
Bore Condition: The 2 grooved bore is bright; semi bright near the muzzle. The rifling is sharp. There is fouling in the grooves which should clean up. There is light intermittent erosion in the grooves at the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.5.
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 bottom metal shows scrapes and small scratches. The remaining metal shows scuffs, small scrapes and light handling marks. The bolt shows operational wear. The screw heads show heavy 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 a scope assembly; see above.
The rifle has an unmarked sling attached. The rifle comes with 3 technical manuals that cover the use of the rifle and the scope.
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 was made during WWII. It has nice Remington markings on the receiver, barrel, bolt, and other small parts. 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 330 scope; the military designation of the Weaver 330 scope is TELESCOPE M73B1. The rifle has a strong bore and the 2.5 power scope is in nice shape. This WWII Sniper Rifle should keep you smiling out at the range and will add nicely to your WWII collection. Good luck.