The U.S. M1903 and M1903A3 Springfield rifles are the greatest of all U.S. military issue bolt action rifles. Some of the bolt sleeves were marked G. Like the Remington 03A3s, original Smith-Corona bolts were blued. The bolts from such rifles were often mixed during rebuilding, and did not necessarily remain with the original receiver. There are myriad examples of this industrial versatility, not the least of which was the service rifle made by a typewriter company. a 2 piece firing pin, Mauser filed a lawsuit against the US government, Although not used as combat rifles in extremely large numbers as compared to the M1903 or M1 Garand rifles, M1903A3s definitely saw combat use in several theaters of the war including the European and the China-Burma-India theaters. By the time that the M1903-A4 was the Army's first Despite the shortcuts employed in the manufacture, the M1903A3 rifles were every bit as serviceable as the better-finished earlier production rifles. The serial numbers used by the company went only into the 4,870,000 range. His pump-action rifle, based on the dimensions of the . Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine Remington began deliveries of the new variant in December 1942. By the first quarter of 1942, the changes in the original specifications were sufficient to result in a rifle that was noticeably different from the early production Remington M1903s. Shortly after Remington started its new 03 production line, America was officially at war with the Axis powers, and the expected huge demand for more rifles became a stark reality. gd3 gd3 gdO. Model: 1903A3 (03A3) Serial Number: 4743824 Year of Manufacture: 1943 (page 375 of Joe Poyer's book, The 1903 Springfield Rifle - 3rd Edition). These were initially to have been given the M1903A1 designation, which would have required full pistol-grip (Type C) stocks. The U.S. M1903 and M1903A3 "Springfield" rifles are the greatest of all U.S. military issue bolt action rifles. In early 1942, it was determined that production could be increased even more if the rear sight base and related parts could be dispensed with, as these components required a great deal of time-consuming machining. Remington began production of the M1903 in September 1941, at serial number 3,000,000, using old tooling from the Rock Island Arsenal which had been in storage since 1919. hO. Images courtesy of the author. This rifle was mainly phased out of service before the Remington was initially assigned the serial number block of 3,407,088-3,427,087 for '03A4 production. h3 CJ j h3 5CJ h3 5CJ Most of the early production Remington M1903s were diverted to military aid requirements similar to Lend-Lease for our Commonwealth allies, and many of these rifles were sent to New Zealand forces. h3 >* CJ( hO. High number bolts have swept-back (or slightly rearward curved) bolt handles. The early production Remington 03 rifles resembled late World War I production Rock Island 03s, as they were produced on the old Rock Island tooling. Remington's original Model 762 designation was changed to Model 760 on May 22, 1950, to avoid confusion with the 7.62 mm Russian cartridge. New made M1903 A3 Rifles are original U.S. issued, hand selected & inspected, drill receivers of the highest quality and bolts married to new manufactured walnut wood "C" stocks and accessories. To learn more, visit www.northcapepubs.com or email ncape@ix.netcom.com. A gas escape hole was drilled into the left side of the receiver as had been done at Springfield Armory since 1936. h3 CJ >* CJ( Many are not aware of the rifles of this type turned out by Remington during World War II. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Smith-Corona did not use all of the numbers from the second block. To this end, in January 1942 the Ordnance Dept. Civilian firms that had never produced war material or arms were soon turning out vast quantities of desperately needed items with which to fight the war. The rear sight of the M1903A3 rifle was actually a better battle sight in many ways than M1905 pattern sight. M1903 rifles made before February 1918 utilized receivers and bolts which were single heat-treated by a method that rendered some of them brittle and liable to fracture when fired, exposing the shooter to a risk of serious injury. All low number bolts have the bolt handle bent straight down, perpendicular to the axis of the bolt body. Eventually that problem was resolved and sufficient quantities of the sights were procured, and increasing numbers of 03A3s began to flow from the Syracuse plant. . The early Remington M1903 and M1903 Modified rifles (r.) were inspected by Col. Roy L. Bowlin, RLB, chief of the Rochester Ordnance District. Search this site > > Go to content. The Ordnance Dept. It had a 2.75X M73B1 Telescopic Sight and fired the powerful .30-06 cartridge. 5 J _ t 8 9 W X d t gd3 @ f 5 6 j k # D S T x y gd3 gd3 h a b c d e f gd3 gd3 , 1h/ =!"#$% @ @ @ N o r m a l CJ _HaJ mH sH tH @ ` @ 3 H e a d i n g 1 $@&. You also appear to be missing the rear sight slide binding knob (or it is broken off, not uncommon). As Remingtons production continued, an increasing number of changes were made to the original specifications in the interest of reducing production time. Now you can dress up your office desk or man cave with a 1:3-scale replica of the best battle implement ever devised.. The second "block" of "03A3" numbers was used only to about 4168800 before cancellation of contract ended "03A3" production 28 February 1944. Barrel Date: September, 1943. Remington 1903A3 Serial numbers, barrel date. While Smith-Corona was in the process of procuring the necessary manufacturing equipment, the M1903A3 rifle superseded the M1903. Both 03A3 and 03A4 Remington rifle barrels were marked with RA, a flaming bomb and the month and year of manufacture. Checked for working condition 2. This was commenced at Springfield Armory at approximately serial number 800,000 and at Rock Island Arsenal at exactly serial number 285,507. device (which was used to allow the M1903 to fire the .30 caliber pistol Watch American Rifleman staff with the BFT47, a semi-automatic rifle chambered for the ubiquitous Russian cartridge, 7.62x39 mm, and its a rifle that is specd out by Americans, built by Americans, for the American market by Century Arms. This warning is an update/addition to the Ammunition section in the Read This First manual enclosed with each rifle shipment (M1 Garand manual-page 6 and M1903 manual-page 10). SOLD FOR: $1876. Any bolt found on a Smith-Corona rifle, other than one marked X on top of the bolt handle, or unmarked, is a replacement and not a factory original component. Even though large numbers of M1917 American Enfields were manufactured and issued during World War I to supplement the supply of M1903s, the Springfield 03 remained the standard U.S. military service rifle until the adoption of the semi-automatic M1 Garand rifle in 1936. This early example (top) has a straight stock and grasping grooves in the fore-end. Remington was able to save production time by developing an adjustable rear peep sight with some stamped components. Some of these changes were not readily apparent while others were quite noticeablesuch as the elimination of the lightening cuts on both sides of the rear sight base, the elimination of the small gas escape hole on the right side of the receiver and the drilling of the rear guard screw hole completely through the receiver tang. Original, excellent condition with correct "R" markings and no rebuild or import marks. Remingtons rifle production based on Ordnance Dept. While not used in large numbers during World War II as compared to the M1 Garand, the Remington rifles provided our armed forces with a badly needed source of reliable and serviceable military rifles. According to a recent Federal Emergency Management Agency report, fewer people are "prepping" today compared to previous years. However, M1903A3 rifle production extended into this block of numbers and the M1903A4 rifles in this range had a Z prefix to the serial number in order to prevent duplicate numbers. A few straight-bent bolts are of the double heat-treat type, but these are not easily identified, and until positively proved otherwise ANY straight-bent bolt should be assumed to be low number. It has been reported that a number of Remington M1903s were utilized by the U.S. Marine Corps in some of the early Pacific campaigns. The year of manufacture for serial number 4168420 is 1942. The barrel has two groove rifling sharp and very . The milled upper band (top) was used on Remington M1903 and M1903 Modified rifles, while the stamped sheet metal upper bands (below) was employed on M1903A3s. 1903A4 receivers were all marked MODEL 03-A3, but the markings are offset to be readable when the Redfield Junior scope mount base is installed. The final inspection marking format stamped on the left side of the stock was similar to the type found on the Remington 03A3s but lacked the RA (Remington Arms) mark. 9 Remington 1903A3 Serial numbers, barrel date Hello, My friend's Remington 03A3 has the serial number 4,097,XXX, and a Remington barrel dated 9-43. Concurrently, the original contract for 100,000 rifles was increased to 380,000. Several avenues were explored, including discussions with Remington Arms Company for the production of rifles under British contract. 1903 due to politics and the use of a new standard issue rifle only 9 All original swept-back bolts are definitely high number. (Smith-Corona manufactured an additional 233,998 03A3s). Actual assembled rifles in the Remington warehouse inventory awaiting Ordnance inspection as shown on the Planning Supervisors Accounting Summary dated March 9, 1943. Markings: The top of the receiver is . All parts are correct Remington "R" marked parts. This huge increase in demand coupled with production problems stemming from use of the nearly worn-out Rock Island machinery resulted in something of a dilemma for Remington if the ambitious production schedules were to be met. 6. (Based in part on documents obtained by Clark Campbell from the Ilion, NY Remington Plant Manager files, circa 1955). Visually they can be Those Springfields made before this change are commonly called low-number rifles. Caliber:.30-06 Springfield Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine Markings: The top of the receiver is marked "U.S. / REMINGTON / MODEL 03-A3 . No such comparable statistics are known to exist beyond February 1943. After the conclusion of World War II, some of the M1903A3 rifles were sent to various and sundry foreign nations. Total production was 1,056,276 rifles, which included about 345,000 M1903 and M1903 (modified), about 711,276 M1903A3, and just 26,653 M1903A4 (short of the 28,365 ordered) = > G 9 : X 5 6 7 j k S T U y a e f hO. In addition to the straight grip stock, Remington also manufactured some stocks with semi-pistol grips, often dubbed scant or scant grip stocks today. Most 03A4s had full pistol grip (Type C) stocks but, as stated, some were also delivered with the scant grip stock. It is sometimes forgotten that Americas true secret weapon of World War II was its awesome industrial might. Your friends barrel sounds correct. stock, M1903 A 3 - was the version All rights reserved.Site by West Edge Collective. only slight modifications. Other than the manufacturers name on the receiver ring, the Smith-Corona 03A3 rifles were quite similar to those made by Remington, but differed in some minor aspects. The M1903 was valued as a tool to the soldier because if its sheer power, made. Rock Island Arsenal and about 850,000 were produced up until that point. The salient features of the Smith-Corona M1903A3 rifle were: The receiver ring had the same marking format as the Remington rifles except for the name of the manufacturer, U.S./Smith-Corona; and Smith-Corona was assigned two distinct blocks of serial numbers: 3,608,000 3,707,999 and 4,708,000 4,992,000. Consequently, there were an estimated 3,600 Remington 03A3 rifles produced with numbers initially assigned to, and used by, Smith-Corona. Made from premium-grade, vegetable-tanned leather, the Burdette Custom Holsters Detective SA-35 holster is a custom outside-the-waistband (OWB) model for the Springfield Armory SA-35 semi-automatic pistol. During WWII, however, the urgent need for rifles resulted in the rebuilding and reissuing of many low-number as well as high-number Springfields. It was mounted on the rear of the M1903A3 rifles receiver. j h3 h3 The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The rifles with the changes were termed the M1903 Modified although, as stated, there is some indication that this term was in use as early as November 1941. Serial numbering began with SN 3,000,000 and numerically remained continuous to end of production except as shown below. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, "V" Is For Victory: The Smith & Wesson Victory Model Revolver, Rifleman Q&A: Why So Light With The M1 Carbine? Remington received ever-increasing orders for 03A3s, and the Ordnance Department sought an additional source. U.S. MILITARY DATES OF MANUFACTURE U.S. Military M1903, & M1903A3 Rifle: Remington: Covering numbers: 3000001 - 5784000. A total of 120,000 SNs were reassigned from M1903 Modified and M1903A3 SN allocation as follows: M1903A3 production phasing out the M1903 Modified began in December 1942 with the first 1909 rifles included in the factory invoice to the Ordnance Dept. to the list of makers of the M1903, namely Remington and Smith-Corona Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903A3 was standardized. The .38 Smith & Wesson Special, designed in 1898, rocked the handgun realm with its ballistic performance making it a cartridge for the history books. The M1903 was manufactured by Springfield Armory at varying levels of production from 1903 until the late 1930s and at Rock Island Arsenal from 1903 until 1913 and again from 1917 until just after World War I. g Mint condition grey parkerized finish and new made Criterion barrels make this rifle true to the original, collector grade, and ready for competition! Any such parts on a Smith-Corona 03A3 encountered today were installed at some point after the rifle left the factory, again, normally as part of an arsenal rebuild. The British desired certain modifications, primarily related to modifications required to utilize the standard .303 British cartridge. closest thing to a pistol grip stock that could be made using the older NO ONE has any idea when production stopped for the M1903 or what the last serial number was, or when the first 1903A3 came off the line. Make: Remington. Following the conclusion of World War II, large numbers of M1903s and M1903A3s were refurbished (overhauled) at a number of ordnance facilities. This service uses the two-letter codes stamped on the barrel of Remington rifles and shotguns to determine the age of the firearm. The U.S. Model 1903A4 Sniper rifle was based on the 03A3 as developed by Remington to save production costs in 03 rifle manufacture. Accordingly, in May 1942 Smith-Coronas contract was modified to substitute the M1903A3 for the M1903 rifle. . Model: 1903-A4 (Sniper Version of the 1903-A3) Serial Number: 3409163. The company was permitted to reduce the amount of metal polishing prior to finishing, reduce or eliminate unnecessary machining and to relax many non-critical tolerances. (known for their typewriters). Model: 1903A3 (03-A3) Serial Number: 3974271 Year of Manufacture: 1943 (Page 375 of Joe Poyer's book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition). honor guards and different drill squads. or Best Offer. The stocks were stamped with an Ordnance Department escutcheon (crossed cannons) and the initials RLB on the left side below the magazine cut-off recess. A simplified receiver-mounted rear sight would reduce production time and have the added bonus of being a better combat sight. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. be used with or without the Pederson Device, M1903 with Scant Stock - The As had been the case with Remington, some problems with procurement of rear sights from subcontractors resulted in the delay of initial deliveries. The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in increased orders from the U.S. government for the Remington M1903s. Korean War in favor of the Initially, the new Remington 03s were very similar to the rifles made at Rock Island Arsenal in the late World War I period. Unlike some Remington parts, which were stamped R, the majority of Smith-Corona parts were unmarked, although a few marked G have been observed. high speed projectile and its accuracy. However, the large supply of stock blanks acquired by Remington were primarily suited for fabrication of the straight-grip type of stock, so the M1903 nomenclature was not changed. Currently, M1903 and M1903A3 models are not available, and CMP is not accepting orders. In addition to the changes made in the rear sight, there was also more extensive use of stamped parts. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program. Even so, it was apparent that more rifles would be needed. Though not used in as large numbers as the M1 Garand, Remington 03s provided valuable service to our armed forces during World War II. overhaul. As the M1903A4 was recently the subject of an article in these pages (Making The Most of G.I. It was built with an ever increasing number of stamped parts until sometime in 1942 by Remington. US Model 1903 Springfield Rifle Serial Number Ranges - Muzzle First. Changes were made to speed production without compromising the accuracy strength and efficiency of the rifle. Caliber: .30-06 Springfield. The Ordnance Dept. in the bolt action rifle's history, the introduction of the Pederson Remingtons started production in 1941 with serial number 3,000,000, it was during this time that the finger grooved walnut stock was replaced by cheaper versions and the M1903-A3 was born. Shortly thereafter Remington began updating its tooling and equipment to accommodate the changes required for production of the new rifle. The stock furniture (one-piece upper band assembly, lower barrel band, band spring, sling swivel, buttplate and trigger housing/floorplate assembly) were constructed of stamped sheet metal. Remington was initially assigned the serial number block of 3,407,088-3,427,087 for 03A4 production. Year of Manufacture: 1943, C&R (page 374 of Joe Poyer's book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition) Barrel Date: December, 1942. By definition, a SN, For purposes of this Table, all M1903 Modified and M1903A3 receivers serially stamped before January 10, 1943 were believed to be assembled into and counted as complete rifles with little problem with SN, After January 10, 1943, Remington was directed to cease monitoring SN disorders since the Ordnance Department was no longer concerned about this problem. does not have any markings on the rifle, as many were produced in haste to The Smith-Corona Model 1903A3s by Bruce N. Canfield, Field Editor posted on March 12, 2010 News, Reviews, Rifles, Bolt-Action Rifles On the eve of America's active involvement in World War II, it. hO. Remington made all 29,964 Model 1903A4 rifles. All sales are AS-IS with NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES. Always wear hearing and eye protection when firing an M1 Garand, 1903 and/or 1903A3 rifle. All end-of-month SNs are calculated approximations only. contracted with the Remington Arms Co. for new production of the Model 1903 bolt-action rifle using machinery and some raw materials (mainly stock blanks) in storage at Rock Island Arsenal since manufacture of the 03 rifle ceased at that entity in the early 1920s. The M1 Garand: Recent Developments in Auto Loaders, NRA Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory M1 Garand Rifle, Review: Savage Model 110 PCS | An Official Journal Of The NRA, Mauser Celebrates 125 Years With Limited-Edition Mauser 98 Rifle | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, 7 Simple Follow-Through Tips to Improve Your Accuracy (Right Now!) Visually they can be distinguished easily by the smaller aperture rear sight instead of the barrel mounted sight like previous rifles. The 03A3 was the simplest 03 variant. 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