I just got a '03-A3

D-squared · 12-10-2006, 12:26 AM

Hi,
Today my dad gave my son his father's old '03-A3 rifle. It is Remington manufacture, and the SN vintage is 3828xxx. The rifle is in outstanding condition and has some color in the wood.
My son and I are wondering how old she is.
Thanks, Don

Dale · 12-10-2006, 09:33 AM

U.S. Military Firearms Manufacture Dates

That might help you. Likely it was made in 1942.

Treat the girl with respect...as I am sure you would.

There is much history in our US battle rifles.

Besides, it is a fine, fine example of a rifle and, perhaps, the best example of a US military bolt action.

I have two A3s that are superb shooters....especially with the hand loads I have worked up for each one.

BTW...is there not a date on the rear top of the receiver behind the bolt?

Oxford · 12-10-2006, 09:40 AM

D-squared...check underneath the front end of the barrel for a date. Usually the date is stamped there. As Dale said, the mfg date of yours, according to the chart, is 1942.

Full MeTal Jack · 12-10-2006, 09:59 AM

So the greatgrandson now has ownership of the Remington O3-A3?
D-squared, your son must be of age and sound character and integrity? Garanddad has a lot of respect for him. "Attaboy" to the young man.
There is a lot of responsibility that goes with that puppy!

She is shootable and use it.
Wheretoshoot.com check and see if you need to find a range.
Some gunclubs have 03 highpower rifle matches.
Clubs that host highpower matches, the matches should be open to the public.

Oxford · 12-10-2006, 12:45 PM

What caused me to get back into "guns" was when I inherited my deceased father in law's Springfield 03A3. It set on my fireplace ledge for 2-3 years before I got interested enough in it to start investigating more about what was there. I joined G&G.com, learned more and more about the 03A3, started using it for deer hunting, and the rest is history.

I've been hooked back in the gun world, and all due to that old 03A3. Since then my gun cabinet has become filled with more and more guns including rifles and handguns. You never know what one gun can do for the interest of a person who gets curious about what he has.

D-squared · 12-10-2006, 07:37 PM

Yes the old Springfield made a 4 generation jump right over my head and into my son's hands. He was absolutely enthralled with the rifle last night and still is tonight. He wants to start shooting in the Tommy Atkins shoot my gun club has been hosting, which are bolt action only shoots using the old battle rifles. Semi-autos are strickly forbidden. They have been a termendous success.

A year ago my father gave me a old '98 action. I also had a select grade 98 military stock kicking around here with very nice walnut. My son starts putting 2&2 together, next thing I know he figures out that the old action fits the old stock. All he needs now is a barrel to put on the action.

We managed to locate a old guy at the Washington Arms Collectors Show who had some 8mm Mauser barrels, but not with him. He said he would bring all of them to the next show and that my son could have his pick of the lot. One thing lead to another and the old guy was a no show at the gun show this past Saturday. In the mean time my dad starts in on this old '03-A3 he has in his vault taking up space and tells my son, he should just use that, after all he only paid the NRA $19 for it when they mail ordered it back in 1956! My son snatches up that rifle in a nano-second!

I have shot this old rifle, and I already know it is a shooter. So now my son has the old Springfield and he gave me the 98 back saying, "dad, maybe you can do better at rounding up a barrel for this thing."

Somehow I think if I intend to participate in these Tommy Atkins shoots, I am going to have get a rifle of my own - not his 03-A3.

Thanks for the feedback guys, Don

Rick the Librar · 12-18-2006, 07:22 AM

Hi, Everybody,

I post on Jouster and others. Rick Borecky, who I know from doing a wonderful job on my stocks, recommended this site and I thought I'd give it a try.

Unfortunately, Dale's guess of 1942 for D-Squared's rifle is incorrect. The rifle dates to July or August, 1943 and should have a RA barrel in the April to August, 1943 range.

Dale may have check m1903.com - which lists ALL 1903A3s as "1942 - only about 10,000 (out of over 700,000 made) were manufactured in 1942. I have made efforts to get the webmasters to change the date but no luck.

Again, it is a pleasure to be here. D-Squared - it sounds like you're familiar with the WAC shows - I'm a member and get to some of them as well.

Full MeTal Jack · 12-18-2006, 09:27 PM

Cool. Welcome Rick. I've read many of your post. You know your stuff.
kkbud was my handle but didn't post much. Learned alot for that board. Lots of technical information from the guys at Jouster.

12-10-2006, 12:26 AM	#1
D-squared Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11	I just got a '03-A3 Hi, Today my dad gave my son his father's old '03-A3 rifle. It is Remington manufacture, and the SN vintage is 3828xxx. The rifle is in outstanding condition and has some color in the wood. My son and I are wondering how old she is. Thanks, Don

12-10-2006, 09:33 AM	#2
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	U.S. Military Firearms Manufacture Dates That might help you. Likely it was made in 1942. Treat the girl with respect...as I am sure you would. There is much history in our US battle rifles. Besides, it is a fine, fine example of a rifle and, perhaps, the best example of a US military bolt action. I have two A3s that are superb shooters....especially with the hand loads I have worked up for each one. BTW...is there not a date on the rear top of the receiver behind the bolt? __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me Last edited by Dale; 12-10-2006 at 09:39 AM.

12-10-2006, 09:40 AM	#3
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,021 Blog Entries: 4	D-squared...check underneath the front end of the barrel for a date. Usually the date is stamped there. As Dale said, the mfg date of yours, according to the chart, is 1942. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

12-10-2006, 09:59 AM	#4
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,422 Images: 1	So the greatgrandson now has ownership of the Remington O3-A3? D-squared, your son must be of age and sound character and integrity? Garanddad has a lot of respect for him. "Attaboy" to the young man. There is a lot of responsibility that goes with that puppy! She is shootable and use it. Wheretoshoot.com check and see if you need to find a range. Some gunclubs have 03 highpower rifle matches. Clubs that host highpower matches, the matches should be open to the public. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg

12-10-2006, 12:45 PM	#5
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,021 Blog Entries: 4	What caused me to get back into "guns" was when I inherited my deceased father in law's Springfield 03A3. It set on my fireplace ledge for 2-3 years before I got interested enough in it to start investigating more about what was there. I joined G&G.com, learned more and more about the 03A3, started using it for deer hunting, and the rest is history. I've been hooked back in the gun world, and all due to that old 03A3. Since then my gun cabinet has become filled with more and more guns including rifles and handguns. You never know what one gun can do for the interest of a person who gets curious about what he has. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right". Last edited by Oxford; 12-10-2006 at 08:05 PM.

12-10-2006, 07:37 PM	#6
D-squared Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 11	Yes the old Springfield made a 4 generation jump right over my head and into my son's hands. He was absolutely enthralled with the rifle last night and still is tonight. He wants to start shooting in the Tommy Atkins shoot my gun club has been hosting, which are bolt action only shoots using the old battle rifles. Semi-autos are strickly forbidden. They have been a termendous success. A year ago my father gave me a old '98 action. I also had a select grade 98 military stock kicking around here with very nice walnut. My son starts putting 2&2 together, next thing I know he figures out that the old action fits the old stock. All he needs now is a barrel to put on the action. We managed to locate a old guy at the Washington Arms Collectors Show who had some 8mm Mauser barrels, but not with him. He said he would bring all of them to the next show and that my son could have his pick of the lot. One thing lead to another and the old guy was a no show at the gun show this past Saturday. In the mean time my dad starts in on this old '03-A3 he has in his vault taking up space and tells my son, he should just use that, after all he only paid the NRA $19 for it when they mail ordered it back in 1956! My son snatches up that rifle in a nano-second! I have shot this old rifle, and I already know it is a shooter. So now my son has the old Springfield and he gave me the 98 back saying, "dad, maybe you can do better at rounding up a barrel for this thing." Somehow I think if I intend to participate in these Tommy Atkins shoots, I am going to have get a rifle of my own - not his 03-A3. Thanks for the feedback guys, Don

12-18-2006, 07:22 AM	#7
Rick the Librar Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: W. Washington Posts: 1	1903A3 age Hi, Everybody, I post on Jouster and others. Rick Borecky, who I know from doing a wonderful job on my stocks, recommended this site and I thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately, Dale's guess of 1942 for D-Squared's rifle is incorrect. The rifle dates to July or August, 1943 and should have a RA barrel in the April to August, 1943 range. Dale may have check m1903.com - which lists ALL 1903A3s as "1942 - only about 10,000 (out of over 700,000 made) were manufactured in 1942. I have made efforts to get the webmasters to change the date but no luck. Again, it is a pleasure to be here. D-Squared - it sounds like you're familiar with the WAC shows - I'm a member and get to some of them as well. Last edited by Rick the Librar; 12-18-2006 at 07:23 AM. Reason: Misspelling

12-18-2006, 09:27 PM	#8
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,422 Images: 1	Cool. Welcome Rick. I've read many of your post. You know your stuff. kkbud was my handle but didn't post much. Learned alot for that board. Lots of technical information from the guys at Jouster. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg