Springfield target 1903???

[reelman]

I'm hoping someone on SH knows more about these guns that I do and could offer me some advice.

I'm looking at a Remington Model A3-03 serial number #3865XXX that I found on the internet. I can tell from the pictures that the front and rear sight are not normal GI issue but I also know that they made some '03s in target variations but I can't find pictures of them anywhere. I know they used Lyman 48 peeps which this gun has but the front sight just doesn't look vintage enough.

Can anyone give me some advice on if this is factory or something that someone did after it left?

 

[DV]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

Not arsenal work-looks someone added the sights trying to turn it into an across the course match rifle.

 

[wilshire1412]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

Looks like an added sight done post military service to me.
The extra holes in the receiver to mount the rear sight would hurt any collector interest or value. If the price is right it could be a good shooter, but to me the rear sight looks more like a short hunting sight vs. the longer target variation that would go out to 125 minutes of elevation.

 

[w1423]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

Not arsenal work. See if you can find a copy of Brophy's book on the O3 Springfield.
It was a common fix buy shooters to put excellent sights on the 03 or 03A3. If it was done in the time when 03 dominated the shooting line, the rear sight would most likely have been a Lyman 48 long slide rear sight which would extend at least half way down the side of the stock, giving more elevation. That one looks like the a short slide of a hunting rear with a target adjustment knob on it, which was common change or fix. The target knobs made the sight eaiser to adjust than the hunting adjustment knobs and became standard before the Lymans sights were phased out.
The front sight could be had from Lyman or Redfield and the base of the sight was cut to fit the front sight base of the 1903, with later sights just replaced the whole front sight on the 03A3. It had different types of inserts which could be changed out to give you the type of front sight you wanted.
I have shot several 03 Springfields with this set up in the 1960's & 1970's and were accurate and easy to shoot sights on the 03 or 03A3. As said above I wouldn't pay a premium for them on the rifle and the extra holes drilled in the receiver does lower the collectory value price.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

just saw one exactly like that at the Cabelas "gun Library" about a week ago and it was tagged as being a National Match gun, price tag on it was $3,200. I would guess they know what they're talkin about and I do know there's a big market for collectors on the True NM guns such as the M1's, but those were blocked off in a serial number range that can be verified that it started it's life as an NM gun. You might find yourself a gem and at a steal of a price if it is in fact the case. what are they askin for it?

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

Is it a star gage barrel?

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

More times than not these are the work of someone after-the-fact trying to either improve their rifle or make it look like something it's not. A "Star Gage" barrel is really the determining factor but I'm inclined to think it doesn't have one. IIRC the bolt would be polished also. The whole bolt would look like it was chrome.

There is another possibility... Maybe it's a Sedgley. Sedgley was a guy in Philly who customized '03's and actually did a pretty good job. Generally his guns are worth more than a "Stock" '03. It would have a circle with an "S" in it, usually near the chamber and other places, if it is a Sedgley.

 

[wilshire1412]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

Really weren't any NM rifles built on Remington receivers, so it is likely just a surplus 03 with a set of aftermarket sights. Since it has been a few decades these rifles are hard to find unmolested in some fashion any more, and the fact that they were not considered anything special to be left as is by most .civ shooters after WWII.

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wilshire1412</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Really weren't any NM rifles built on Remington receivers, so it is likely just a surplus 03 with a set of aftermarket sights. Since it has been a few decades these rifles are hard to find unmolested in some fashion any more, and the fact that they were not considered anything special to be left as is by most .civ shooters after WWII. </div></div>
I'm such an IDIOT! I didn't even realize the OP stated "Remington". You're right... My Bad!

 

[younggun22]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just saw one exactly like that at the Cabelas "gun Library" about a week ago and it was tagged as being a National Match gun, price tag on it was $3,200. I would guess they know what they're talkin about and I do know there's a big market for collectors on the True NM guns such as the M1's, but those were blocked off in a serial number range that can be verified that it started it's life as an NM gun. You might find yourself a gem and at a steal of a price if it is in fact the case. what are they askin for it? </div></div>

HAHA Ya they <span style="font-style: italic">SHOULD</span> know what their talking about...

 

[John L]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

I dont believe they ever made a NM 03A3.

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

Find a copy of Col. Brophy's book on the 1903 Rifle. Pages 193-210 should help. MM

 

[reelman]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

Thanks for the opinions guy, you confirmed what I thought.

 

[HomeSlice]

Re: Springfield target 1903???

I will add this, though I'm not an expert. If you can get this thing at a "non-colector" discount then you may just pick up a nice shooter. I have a hand-me-down 1903 Springfield from 1917-1918 (high s/n) that's been "sporterized". My dad killed more deer than I can count w/ it, and it'll still shoot better than me (MOA or better).

Nothing wrong w/ a 1903, they were good rifles. But, it's not a NM in that s/n range or config. Lowball the offer and see what you can get assuming it's in good shape.

My $.02, YMMV, ....
-Slice

ETA: 2nd look at your pics, the one I have has the same rear sight, only on the other side of the receiver. I think it was a common aftermarket mod, and it's not a match-quality sight.