U.S. Remington 03-A3 1903 Bolt Action Rifle In .30-06, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $906.99
WOA#: WY240407RW014
Make: Remington
Model: 03A3
Serial Number: 3747973
Year of Manufacture: May 1943 (https://www.remingtonsociety.org/1903-and-1903a3-production-and-serial-no-table/)
Caliber: .30-06
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked, “U.S. REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3 / 3747973” The mag disconnect is marked, “ON / OFF” The barrel is marked, “R. A. / 4 43” with a flaming bomb proof. The safety is marked “READY / SAFE”
Barrel Length: 23.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set on top of a tall base, the rear sight is a adjustable peephole.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece walnut stock has a steel cap w/ bayonet lug and stacking loop, barrel band, two action through bolts, straight grip, straight comb, with a knurled steel buttplate. The stock has been refinished. There is a repair under the bolt handle. There are light pressure dents and scratches throughout. The LOP measures 12.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in at about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued/Parkerized.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9/10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are light scratches throughout. The action has light wear and drag lines. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent 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: Cotton Sling.
Our Assessment: The U.S. Remington 03-A3 1903 Bolt Action Rifle, often referred to simply as the Remington 03-A3 or the 1903A3, is a military rifle that served as the standard-issue firearm for the United States military during World War II and beyond. It was an updated version of the earlier Springfield M1903 rifle and was produced by Remington Arms Company. The 1903A3 featured several modifications and improvements over its predecessor, the Springfield M1903. One notable change was the adoption of a new rear sight aperture, which replaced the problematic and fragile sight used on the M1903. The 1903A3 also incorporated a simplified stock design and a stamped trigger guard to expedite production. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield, the 1903A3 rifle retained the excellent accuracy and reliability of its predecessor. It utilizes a five-round internal box magazine and had a five-groove rifled barrel with a rifling twist rate of 1:10 inches. The Remington 03-A3 rifle was widely used by U.S. forces during World War II, seeing action in theaters such as the European and Pacific theaters. It continued to serve as a primary infantry rifle for U.S. troops during the Korean War and saw limited use in subsequent conflicts.
After its military service, many surplus 1903A3 rifles were sold to civilians and became popular among collectors and shooting enthusiasts. Today, the Remington 03-A3 remains highly regarded for its robust construction, accuracy, and historical significance. -R.E.
