M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

ArcticLight

ArcticLight

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 27, 2003
974
69
Silverdale, WA
#1
I've decided to put my M1903A3 back in military condition..

Because it was drilled and tapped for a scope I'm not sure how original I want to go...

But who's got a good supply on stocks, and does it get the S stock or the C stock?

Looking on e-bay, kinda spendy, Fulton Armory sells good remake parts (M1903's used to be allowed in service rifle)..

Just looking, got a bit of cash to play with from per diem/travel...
 
#5
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

A member here (DoninSC) has played with more than a few. If he would chime in, or some of the closet 1903 hoarders that I know are members would chime in, you would get more than you asked for in knowledge.

Anyway, Numrich will have pretty much what you need. Any other "work" been done to it besides d&t? Barrel still the same? If you would like, pm me with the serial # and I can give you a build date. Include the barrel date for reference too.

Correct me if I'm wrong, the 1903A3's would have been C stocks. The scant C and C stock debate has been gone over adnauseum (or abnausem? well puke anyway) on the military boards. FWIW, there is a difference between the Remington and Smith Corona C stocks and metal. Mainly the cartouches, stamps, and a few minor shape differences.

The Boyds, from what I have read (FWIW) is not a drop in and go. There are a few other choices in an S stock. Numrich has one that is reasonable and pretty much ready to go. You would need to assemble it, but a good fit. There was someone (can't remember who right this second) that made a high quality S stock, but it was priced to match.

$.02
 
#6
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

My rifle is a Remington, roughly 3 millionseries on the serial # but I can pm that to you tonight when I get home.
Barrel was a refurb from RA in 5/45 - all original just not sights or sight cover on it..nothing else done to the rifle so it should be a bolt in and go..

I may take it to my smith and have him fill the holes and re-parkerize it perhaps....

Not so concerned with original equipment as I am with original look...:)

Thanks guys!
 
#7
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

OK Numrich it is but does anyone have a list of exactly all the parts that will be required to put a stock on one of htese rifles?

Lotta screws, bands and whatnot..I got the IPB and enlarged it...still..
 
#8
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hummer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would get a C stock from Boyds stocks. Much more comfortable to shoot. </div></div>

Called my smith and his #1 advise was NOT to get a boyds stock, a friend got one and said it took a LOT of work to get it to fit...
 
#10
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

If you want to stay original, which is really only worth it if a rifle was in process of being made all correct, you'd need a straight stock like that on my correct Smith Corona M1903A3 pictured below.

m1903a3.jpg


No M1903A3's were originally issued with scant stocks or C stocks (the exception was M1903A4 snipers which were issued with either of these) ... scant stocks and a few C stocks were used at the armory when rifles were rebuilt.

I'd buy a new C stock from the CMP. They are much nicer for most to shoot...

http://www.thecmp.org/stocksets.htm

 
#11
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK Numrich it is but does anyone have a list of exactly all the parts that will be required to put a stock on one of htese rifles?

Lotta screws, bands and whatnot..I got the IPB and enlarged it...still.. </div></div>

Not hard really. You need a schematic that lists all the small parts and I believe Numrich has that too. Some parts may not be available right this minute but it will pop up, then get two. The C is correct with stamped parts, but my very nice and correct A3 now wears an S with milled and forged parts as I prefer the handling of the S stock. I have kept everything so it won't take but an hour to make it original again.

Be very careful on your refinishing of metal as there are different hues of park done on these. I should have sent you here first. Culvers Shooting Page Forums. More knowledge there than anywhere on 1903's. Good luck and finish it.....
 
#16
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

In their original issue state the 03A3's were a mix of the greenish parkerizing, blue and black phosphate... Rem and SC had a different mix. If you need a representitive of what should be what let me know... if you are going for an arsenal rebuild look more parts were parkerized. There's lots of small differences...

If you go here you can compare and get an idea of the differences. You need to check out the 03A3 section and photos. And you can check your year of mfg by serial number. The 3 million range Remingtons covered lots of ground. From the initial rifles built in Oct 1941 to about October 1943.

http://home.att.net/~vishooter/m1903.html
 
#17
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Parallax</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In their original issue state the 03A3's were a mix of the greenish parkerizing, blue and black phosphate... Rem and SC had a different mix. If you need a representitive of what should be what let me know... if you are going for an arsenal rebuild look more parts were parkerized. There's lots of small differences...

If you go here you can compare and get an idea of the differences. You need to check out the 03A3 section and photos. And you can check your year of mfg by serial number. The 3 million range Remingtons covered lots of ground. From the initial rifles built in Oct 1941 to about October 1943.

http://home.att.net/~vishooter/m1903.html </div></div>

Thanks, will check that out.

My barrel is stamped 5/43, RA of course!

Saw a spare barrel on e-bay for $41 but hte guy didn't do a buy it now, one bidder and it's up to $50. But on the other hand i've only fired about 75-100 rds through this rifle since I've owned it (1978)...That's gonna change...
 
#19
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My barrel is stamped 5/43, RA of course!</div></div>

Then it may not be a refurb...depending on where in the 3 million range you are that may be correct. The Vi Shooters page will tell you...
 
#20
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

I'm going to check when I get home 2nite, just to verify.

So that being said my barrel was new when I got the rifle as I was the one that cleaned off the cosmoline back in 1976 or 1977...

Just spent $250 today on a new stock and all the parts for it, got the buttplate and rear sight yesterday...adds up quick but it'll be sweet
smile.gif
 
#22
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

I have to say ArcticLight, I really loved my 03A3. I might have mentioned it before, but I bought it off my boss while I was working at the gun shop down in S. Fla. He bought it off a city worker who found it in someone's garbage pile (no shit, true story) It was in pretty sad shape externally, someone had painted the wood white and the metal stove-pipe black, but it was a peach internally. Mint four-groove Remington barrel and all matching parts. It sure did clean up well too. After many hours of sweat, blood, and tears. Shot real well too. It would do an inch at 100 yards without too much trouble.

I had to sell it when I took the job up here. It was a sad day, but it paid my way up here, so I have to say it was worth it in the long run. I'll get another one one of these days when I find the right deal, but that first one will always be a good memory.
 
#23
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

I have a 1903 Springfield with a serial number of 5119xx and a barrel stamp of 7-16 S.A. It is not original, nor is it for sale, but I am interested in the worth of the rifle. The barrel and action are in pretty good condition. Sorry for the hi-jack, but any info would be cool.
 
#24
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

Billy - it's worth what it's worth to you, trying to sell it on the other hand - that's a low s/n - and I'd be cautious shooting it - as a collectors item tho, 4 or 5 hundred (?).

I think by doing what i"m doing to mine I will be increasing the value slightly but it's worth a mint to me...

MetalHead- sounds like it was a drillk and ceremony rifle - neighbors had some springfields when I was growing up, wow were they heavy back then!!! White and black as you mentioned.

My M1903A3 WAS in Haines Alaska at one time I believe LOL - but only because I carried it there.....nah, seriously I only took it up to Fox, Livinggood and my moose hunting areas...



 
#25
Re: M1903A3 parts/Restoring a rifle

OK Well all but the front and rear sight mounted - it's damn near complete.

It's accurate for an M1903Modified down to the screw, the bands, the stock.

Got the front sight and pin but it's tight, off to the gunsmith with it..

M1903Modified.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Firearms Fulton Armory M25 Peerless Sniper rifle for sale
Replies
16
Views
3K
mop89
mop89
R
Restoration of a vintage 1962 Springfield Armory National Match M14 - the first year of NM M14s
Replies
14
Views
2K
Phil McGrath
P
cplnorton
Likely one of the first Marine M1903 Sniper rifles, M1908 Warner Swasey
Replies
7
Views
1K
USMCsean
USMCsean
Werk125
SOLD WTT: McMillan A2 MK13 Mod 0 / 3 Stock for Stiller MK13 Action (or Rifle) - Build Kit Also Available
Replies
6
Views
1K
Pizzayne22
P
Toast
Marlin Model 37 Mountee vs. Henry Golden Boy-Golden Eagle 22LR (PIC HEAVY)
Replies
0
Views
356
Toast
Toast
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts