buzzbomb Posted November 5, 2016 Share #1 Posted November 5, 2016 Up for scrutiny is my latest purchase. Kind of brought it on a whim and they are seldom seen for sale here in NZ so I jumped on it. How original do you think it is based on its serial number. I have read all remington 1903s would have a strait stock? And machined parts? Let me know what you guys think. And thanks for reading ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 5, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted November 5, 2016 These are all the pics I have, it's still being shipped to me at the time of writing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted November 5, 2016 Share #3 Posted November 5, 2016 Can't tell you much other than it looks like a beautiful rifle. Have fun with it. Isn't there usually a date on the barrel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted November 5, 2016 Share #4 Posted November 5, 2016 I think a few stamped parts are ok... As i understand it, Remington started making alterations to reduce cost and time, and at a point it became the 03A3 because it was so different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Garandy Posted November 5, 2016 Share #5 Posted November 5, 2016 From your pictures it looks like your stock has the M1903A3 handguard ring cut, you have a Remington '03A3 trigger guard, the bolt looks to be a replacement as well. You also appear to be missing the rear sight slide binding knob (or it is broken off, not uncommon). If the milled upper band is marked with an "R" it'll be a Remington. I can't tell if your lower band is stamped or milled. How is the bore? Out of curiosity, what do '03 Springfields generally sell for in NZ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 5, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted November 5, 2016 Hi there, thanks for that info. I payed about 900 USD for it?? They are rare down here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted November 6, 2016 Share #7 Posted November 6, 2016 The scant stock you have on this rifle is normally a replacement stock for the M1903A3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 6, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted November 6, 2016 So I should look for another stock then I think! I want to put it back to how it should be. Hopefully it has the original barrel ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Garandy Posted November 7, 2016 Share #9 Posted November 7, 2016 In the US, Remington '03 (not 'A3) stocks are not at all common. Remington '03 (not 'A3) bolts are a little uncommon too. Perhaps once it shows up, you can figure out what is or isn't original and see how big a mountain you might have to climb if you want to restore your rifle to all correct parts? In the US, most of the small stuff wouldn't be too tough to find, but I'm not sure of the parts situation in NZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted November 7, 2016 Yea they are rare to find, I will have to import from the US Can anyone explain the difference between 03 and 03A3 bolts and what to look for?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted November 7, 2016 Share #11 Posted November 7, 2016 Great rifle, good find for NZ. Its crazy, 1903 stuff is plentiful where I am from. If you need parts I may be able to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share #12 Posted November 8, 2016 Thanks Ronny, I think I will hopefully receive the rifle this week some time and suss out what parts I need! Thanks. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Garandy Posted November 8, 2016 Share #13 Posted November 8, 2016 Can anyone explain the difference between 03 and 03A3 bolts and what to look for?? Take a look here: http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html Lots of good info and a picture of the smooth body of a Remington '03 bolt verses the stepped body of a Remington 'A3 bolt. I can't remember now, but the real early Remington '03 bolts might have had bolt hold open dimples too. I'll try and remember to look tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Garandy Posted November 11, 2016 Share #14 Posted November 11, 2016 I checked a couple of Remington '03 bolts and the earliest has dimples in the LH lug for the bolt hold open, the later Remington bolt does not. The cocking rods are also of the '03 style and R marked. The bolt sleeves are of the '03 type with the center detent and also R marked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhund Posted November 13, 2016 Share #15 Posted November 13, 2016 You have a nice Modified 1903 rifle made by REMINGTON in November 1942 Remington made this kind of rifle, very similar to the Springfield or RIA 1903 until circa Jan 1943 when the whole production of Remington switched 100% to the 1903A3 Unfortunately your rifle has been reassembled with several parts that are of later period, maybe later in the war or refurbished for lend lease or post war military help to foreign counties ( Greece, Denmark) These replaced parts are inter-alia: - Scant stock w/a semi-pistol grip ( made from blank stock from the aborted british contract) - 1903A3 stamped floor plate & trigger guard magazine assembly - B&S bolt which is a replacement part made by Brown & Sharp Co Anyway a nice rifle that can easily be improved with correct parts. Teufelhund Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted November 13, 2016 You have a nice Modified 1903 rifle made by REMINGTON in November 1942 Remington made this kind of rifle, very similar to the Springfield or RIA 1903 until circa Jan 1943 when the whole production of Remington switched 100% to the 1903A3 Unfortunately your rifle has been reassembled with several parts that are of later period, maybe later in the war or refurbished for lend lease or post war military help to foreign counties ( Greece, Denmark) These replaced parts are inter-alia: - Scant stock w/a semi-pistol grip ( made from blank stock from the aborted british contract) - 1903A3 stamped floor plate & trigger guard magazine assembly - B&S bolt which is a replacement part made by Brown & Sharp Co Anyway a nice rifle that can easily be improved with correct parts. Teufelhund Thanks for your reply, I have read that in this serial number range a stamped floor plate/trigger card could be correct. Anyone else agree/disagree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhund Posted November 13, 2016 Share #17 Posted November 13, 2016 Yes Maybe... Your 03, produced in November 1942, is one of the latest 1903 Modified produced by Remington before they switched totaly to the 03A3 the next month December 1942. The production of 03 and 1903A3 continued together a little while until March 1943 when only 105 modified 03 were made compared to 58.960 03A3. In November 1942...37178 Modified 03 were made and no 03A3 at all, the production of same had begun only in December 1942 when only the first 1909 were made... That means that the "assembler" of your 1903 Modified could have used some newly received 03A3 parts.( Last in - First out ) PS How is the Weather in NZ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted November 13, 2016 Yes Maybe... Your 03, produced in November 1942, is one of the latest 1903 Modified produced by Remington before they switched totaly to the 03A3 the next month December 1942. The production of 03 and 1903A3 continued together a little while until March 1943 when only 105 modified 03 were made compared to 58.960 03A3. In November 1942...37178 Modified 03 were made and no 03A3 at all, the production of same had begun only in December 1942 when only the first 1909 were made... That means that the "assembler" of your 1903 Modified could have used some newly received 03A3 parts.( Last in - First out ) PS How is the Weather in NZ?? Thanks again for your reply. Are you able to tell me how to spot an o3 bolt from an o3a3 bolt. Looking to buy. I am currently in Hawaii so not to sure on weather back home. I have just read there has been an earthquake back home and it is not looking good for some people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhund Posted November 13, 2016 Share #19 Posted November 13, 2016 The genuine O3 Bolt has a straight (perpendicular 90° to the rifle) handle while 03A3 has the handle slightly bent rearward of the rifle , making it easier to operate during rapid fire. The modification has been made during rhe 1918-1918 period meaning that your 03 with a bented handle is the correct configuration for a post WWI Mod1903/05 Rifle WWII bolts have nevertheless a large 11/64" gas vent hole T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bummer Posted November 15, 2016 Share #20 Posted November 15, 2016 What was the beginning serial number for the 03a3. I'll have to look in my safe because I thing my Remington 03a3 has a 12/42 barrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhund Posted November 17, 2016 Share #21 Posted November 17, 2016 During the month of December 1943 the Remington Arms produced 1909 1903A3 rifles as well as 41291 Modified 1903 The last serial number of November is 3295471 and concerns only the production of 1903 Modified rifles. The production of the 03A3 begun in December 1942 ( not know exactly when) Lets assume that the first Serial number of the 03A3 is Lets assume that thez first SN of the 1903A3 is calculated as follows : 3338671 (Last December SN) -1909 ( 1903A3 produced ) = 3336762 but that That is just a guess Anyway the First serial number of 1903A3 spans between 3295471 and 3338671 That is for sure Teufelhund Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhund Posted November 17, 2016 Share #22 Posted November 17, 2016 During the month of December 1943 the Remington Arms produced 1909 1903A3 rifles as well as 41291 Modified 1903 The last serial number of November is 3295471 and concerns only the production of 1903 Modified rifles. The production of the 03A3 begun in December 1942 ( not know exactly when) Lets assume that the first Serial number of the 03A3 is Lets assume that thez first SN of the 1903A3 is calculated as follows : 3338671 (Last December SN) -1909 ( 1903A3 produced ) = 3336762 but that That is just a guess Anyway the First serial number of 1903A3 spans between 3295471 and 3338671 That is for sure Teufelhund PLease read DECEMBER 1942 not 1943 Bruce Canfield(*) estimated that the production of N1903A3 had begun with serial number 3227503 but this serial number belongs to a October 1942 one while it is generaly agreed that the production of 03A3 begun in December 1942... (*) An illustrated Guide to the 03 SPRINGFIELD SERVICE RIFLE Andrew Nowbray Publishers Lincoln RI 02865 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 18, 2016 Author Share #23 Posted November 18, 2016 Yes my serial number is 3276xxx and is definitely a 1903 version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhund Posted November 18, 2016 Share #24 Posted November 18, 2016 Yes my serial number is 3276xxx and is definitely a 1903 version. Have you verified that your 1903 is not stamped with the NZ acceptance mark as well as the broad arrow. New Zeland received some 1903 as a consequence of the war declaration with Japan. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzbomb Posted November 18, 2016 Author Share #25 Posted November 18, 2016 As far as I can tell there are no NZ markings. I was hoping it would be stamped like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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