Bought a 03A3 today

Livingstone · 12-09-2004, 08:52 PM

I just bought a 1903-A3 today from someone I know well. I doubt if I got a deal ($600) but the bore is in excellent shape. Its a Remington serial number 3,000,000 and something and I think it was made in 8-43. I know a little bit about Garands but very little about 03's. Is there some books or web sites that have alot of info on them. The wood is in good shape and has all the marks. Is there anything I should look for to see how original it is? I know one thing, I don't now for sure how to adjust the rear sight for elevation. It kind of slides back and forth but seems hard to control.

PAPA G · 12-09-2004, 09:10 PM

DOCTOR LIVINGSTON....I PRESUME!!! hee hee hee.

welcome to Gun and Game, hope you stick around.

Culvers Shooters Pages is a good one to look into

www.jouster.com

Livingstone · 12-09-2004, 10:19 PM

Yeah, I know, I already posted a few more details there. Thanks.

DocCombat · 12-10-2004, 08:53 AM

Welcome to the world of the 03 springfield. The 03A3 is the more shooter friendly with the rear Peep sights compaire to the old ladder style on early 03 models.
Some ways to check how original your 03 is is to check the parkerizing on the receiver. Is it a greenish / grey color or just grey parkerizing? The green / grey is the original and the grey is reparked finish.
Also check the bolt if it is stll blued that is the original finish parkerized is refinished.
Now look at all the hardware in the stock. Are all the metal parts stamped and not milled? Swivwls will be flat stamped steel not round, stock bands are stamped / flat and both are blued in original finish parkerized if refinished. If the stock / barrel bands are round with a groove those are milled bands and are replacements during rebuild.
Also check the left side of the buttstock for a rebuild stamp like. RIA, RAA, SA with no inspector initals. these are rebuild stamps from various arsenals.
Good books for the o3 are, The 03 Springfield, and US infantry weapons of WWII both by Bruce Canfield. And THE M1903 Springfield rifle and its variations by Joe Poyer.
And elevatio is controled by sliding the peepsite to the range desired. Windage in the knob on the rifgt side of the peepsite protection wings.
Hope that helps. And for 600 you did not do bad.

FirstMad_Max · 12-11-2004, 12:16 AM

Way to go Livingstone!!, I have an '03 made in 1922. For lots of info, go to www.odcmp.com then go to the forums.and try www.jouster.com for tons of info on the '03's. Mine looks like it fouoght the war all by itself, and it will kick the butts of both my M1's in the accuracy dept.

12-09-2004, 08:52 PM	#1
Livingstone Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7	Bought a 03A3 today I just bought a 1903-A3 today from someone I know well. I doubt if I got a deal ($600) but the bore is in excellent shape. Its a Remington serial number 3,000,000 and something and I think it was made in 8-43. I know a little bit about Garands but very little about 03's. Is there some books or web sites that have alot of info on them. The wood is in good shape and has all the marks. Is there anything I should look for to see how original it is? I know one thing, I don't now for sure how to adjust the rear sight for elevation. It kind of slides back and forth but seems hard to control.

12-10-2004, 08:53 AM	#4
DocCombat Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: FBNC Posts: 96	Welcome to the world of the 03 springfield. The 03A3 is the more shooter friendly with the rear Peep sights compaire to the old ladder style on early 03 models. Some ways to check how original your 03 is is to check the parkerizing on the receiver. Is it a greenish / grey color or just grey parkerizing? The green / grey is the original and the grey is reparked finish. Also check the bolt if it is stll blued that is the original finish parkerized is refinished. Now look at all the hardware in the stock. Are all the metal parts stamped and not milled? Swivwls will be flat stamped steel not round, stock bands are stamped / flat and both are blued in original finish parkerized if refinished. If the stock / barrel bands are round with a groove those are milled bands and are replacements during rebuild. Also check the left side of the buttstock for a rebuild stamp like. RIA, RAA, SA with no inspector initals. these are rebuild stamps from various arsenals. Good books for the o3 are, The 03 Springfield, and US infantry weapons of WWII both by Bruce Canfield. And THE M1903 Springfield rifle and its variations by Joe Poyer. And elevatio is controled by sliding the peepsite to the range desired. Windage in the knob on the rifgt side of the peepsite protection wings. Hope that helps. And for 600 you did not do bad. __________________ The best medicine on the battlefeild is fire superiority. Doc C.

12-09-2004, 09:10 PM	#2
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12	DOCTOR LIVINGSTON....I PRESUME!!! hee hee hee. welcome to Gun and Game, hope you stick around. Culvers Shooters Pages is a good one to look into www.jouster.com

12-09-2004, 10:19 PM	#3
Livingstone Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7	Yeah, I know, I already posted a few more details there. Thanks.

12-11-2004, 12:16 AM	#5
FirstMad_Max Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: S.E. Alabama Posts: 3	Way to go Livingstone!!, I have an '03 made in 1922. For lots of info, go to www.odcmp.com then go to the forums.and try www.jouster.com for tons of info on the '03's. Mine looks like it fouoght the war all by itself, and it will kick the butts of both my M1's in the accuracy dept.