Identification of 03A3

Boncray · 03-25-2005, 08:34 AM

I have just acquired what I think is a nice mint condition Remington 03A3 rifle that had an unfinished walnut stock. I was more interested in the condition of the rifle for target practice and joy of owning such a rifle at the shooting range. All metal parts appear to have the green parkerizing, i.e., very green in the light (no blueing except for the rear sight and the bolt lock) in mint condition, One gun enthusiast said it didn't look like it was fired at all fron the look of the bore and riflings (before I spent one box). I finished the stock for sport and put on a Pakmayher (sp) recoil pad for the shooting range. I was attempting to put a Nikon scope on it, but my gun smith highly encouraged me not to make alterations to it. They kept saying "wow" under their breath to each other. I'm leaving it "as is" with the peep sight.

Who can give me information about it's vintage? Here's the specifics: The chamber is marked, "U.S. REMINGTON MODEL 03-A3 375XXXX. Behind the front sight are the markings: RA (Flaming bomb impression) 4-43. Left side barrel has markings: L VI with another "V" under that. There's an "X" on the flat upper part of the bolt. There's a large stamp "MN" on the barrel in front of the chamber. It has the front sight forged press on cover. Are there any more identifying marks needed for this rifle? Also, who has information on the rear sight markings for distance? :-)

Oxford · 03-26-2005, 05:46 PM

Boncray...as I was reading your post I was mentally reliving the excitement I had when I first held my 03A3 and started looking at it's details. My 03A3 was dated 7-43, and the other features on yours were similiar to mine, the best I can tell from what you wrote.

But...soon thereafter I quickly learned the historical value of the gun and how important it is to leave every part original. I'll have to admit that I flinched hard when I read "...I finished the stock for sport...."

gunssb · 03-26-2005, 06:36 PM

you didn't sporterize the stock did you ? Please say you only refinished it ?

Oxford · 03-26-2005, 09:10 PM

gunssb...did you flinch, too? :jaw:

gunssb · 03-26-2005, 09:20 PM

I cried a bit since I'm looking for a good 1903 - heard CMP doesn't have good ones anymore ?

Oxford · 03-26-2005, 09:51 PM

gunssb...as you know there were only X amount manufactured. With no new production, those remaining will keep increasing in value...except for those modified.

Zack43 · 04-06-2005, 07:38 PM

Great guns. I have a 1943 Remington and a 1943 Smith Corona. The SC looks like it has never been fired - but that is difficult to be sure of.

Oxford · 04-06-2005, 07:49 PM

Zack43...How did you acquire your SC 03A3? That must be a good looking beaut, for sure. :nod: :right:

Dale · 04-07-2005, 10:21 AM

Boncray, I probably don't have the rear sight graduation markings info you are looking for but, FWIW, I've looked and looking for the same information in the past and I can't seem to find a definate answer to the question (if anyone does find some specific information I'd be interested, also).

I know, however, when I sighted in my two the graduations translated to small elevation intervals which, in my opinion, helps add with the incredible accuracy the gun has.

The other nice thing about the A3 is the windage adjustment which further adds to the ability to get great accuracy from it.

If you should happen to be a reloader you will find that you can fine tune the 30-.06 to be one very, very surprisingly accurate round out of your A3. They are quite particular what they like and both of mine have two totally different reloading recipes they each like the best.

You've certainly gotten yourself a great gun and I'm hoping your mentioning that you finished the stock for sport meant that you did a refinishing job for the "sport" of just doing it. If that's the case (depending the finish is a laquer or similar finish) you may be able to carefully remove whatever finish you put on it and get it back to the original oil finish.

If it meant you cut the stock, or in any other way altered the wood of the stock, then I'll have to say I'd flinch, also.

Shoot well.

Oxford · 04-07-2005, 10:54 AM

Dale...it's good to see you posting again. We've missed you. Hope you'll be posting a lot. I'll be looking forward to hearing what you've been been up to.

Ox

Zack43 · 04-08-2005, 05:12 AM

OXFORD I am new to this forum stuff an am not sure how to reply to your question so I also sent this directly to you. I found the SC at a gun show. The stock was a Remington so it was probably a switch out when the weapons went to the armory. The seller wasn't exactly sure of what he had, but he did get a fair price. I recently found an SC stock at another gun show. I need some SC hardware to complete it. Primarily the spring pin that holds the upper stock band. It is a beauty and I have resisted firing it. I do fire the Remington.

Zack43

Dale · 04-08-2005, 07:53 AM

Zack, have you tried Numriches for that spring?

That's where I got mine and when I did I got a few extras.

I don't know about yours or anyone else's but my springs were either made from brittle steel or have become brittle over the years and it didn't take much to break a couple.

Oxford · 04-08-2005, 10:41 AM

Zack43...I would follow Dale's suggestion. He's experienced with solving the problem you described. :nod:

Zack43 · 04-08-2005, 07:51 PM

Dale and Oxford - Thanks to both of you for the advice. I will check it out.

Dale · 04-10-2005, 08:49 AM

BTW, I researched your original question and found:

1. The elevation clicks are in one hundred increments with shortest range all the way forward and down going to the highest range, of course, backwards and up the ramp.

2. The windage is 4 MOA for each click of the windage knob.

The information on the one hundred yards for each elevation setting kinda surprised me since it sure didn't seem to alter the POI that much for each click.

But, there is all I was able to find for you.

Shoot well.

03-25-2005, 08:34 AM	#1
Boncray Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7	Identification of 03A3 I have just acquired what I think is a nice mint condition Remington 03A3 rifle that had an unfinished walnut stock. I was more interested in the condition of the rifle for target practice and joy of owning such a rifle at the shooting range. All metal parts appear to have the green parkerizing, i.e., very green in the light (no blueing except for the rear sight and the bolt lock) in mint condition, One gun enthusiast said it didn't look like it was fired at all fron the look of the bore and riflings (before I spent one box). I finished the stock for sport and put on a Pakmayher (sp) recoil pad for the shooting range. I was attempting to put a Nikon scope on it, but my gun smith highly encouraged me not to make alterations to it. They kept saying "wow" under their breath to each other. I'm leaving it "as is" with the peep sight. Who can give me information about it's vintage? Here's the specifics: The chamber is marked, "U.S. REMINGTON MODEL 03-A3 375XXXX. Behind the front sight are the markings: RA (Flaming bomb impression) 4-43. Left side barrel has markings: L VI with another "V" under that. There's an "X" on the flat upper part of the bolt. There's a large stamp "MN" on the barrel in front of the chamber. It has the front sight forged press on cover. Are there any more identifying marks needed for this rifle? Also, who has information on the rear sight markings for distance? :-)

03-26-2005, 05:46 PM	#2
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,851	Boncray...as I was reading your post I was mentally reliving the excitement I had when I first held my 03A3 and started looking at it's details. My 03A3 was dated 7-43, and the other features on yours were similiar to mine, the best I can tell from what you wrote. But...soon thereafter I quickly learned the historical value of the gun and how important it is to leave every part original. I'll have to admit that I flinched hard when I read "...I finished the stock for sport...." __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

03-26-2005, 09:10 PM	#4
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,851	gunssb...did you flinch, too? :jaw: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

03-26-2005, 09:51 PM	#6
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,851	gunssb...as you know there were only X amount manufactured. With no new production, those remaining will keep increasing in value...except for those modified. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

04-06-2005, 07:49 PM	#8
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,851	Zack43...How did you acquire your SC 03A3? That must be a good looking beaut, for sure. :nod: :right: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

03-26-2005, 06:36 PM	#3
gunssb Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: socal Posts: 1,833	you didn't sporterize the stock did you ? Please say you only refinished it ?

03-26-2005, 09:20 PM	#5
gunssb Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: socal Posts: 1,833	I cried a bit since I'm looking for a good 1903 - heard CMP doesn't have good ones anymore ?

04-06-2005, 07:38 PM	#7
Zack43 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15	Great guns. I have a 1943 Remington and a 1943 Smith Corona. The SC looks like it has never been fired - but that is difficult to be sure of.

04-07-2005, 10:21 AM	#9
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	Boncray, I probably don't have the rear sight graduation markings info you are looking for but, FWIW, I've looked and looking for the same information in the past and I can't seem to find a definate answer to the question (if anyone does find some specific information I'd be interested, also). I know, however, when I sighted in my two the graduations translated to small elevation intervals which, in my opinion, helps add with the incredible accuracy the gun has. The other nice thing about the A3 is the windage adjustment which further adds to the ability to get great accuracy from it. If you should happen to be a reloader you will find that you can fine tune the 30-.06 to be one very, very surprisingly accurate round out of your A3. They are quite particular what they like and both of mine have two totally different reloading recipes they each like the best. You've certainly gotten yourself a great gun and I'm hoping your mentioning that you finished the stock for sport meant that you did a refinishing job for the "sport" of just doing it. If that's the case (depending the finish is a laquer or similar finish) you may be able to carefully remove whatever finish you put on it and get it back to the original oil finish. If it meant you cut the stock, or in any other way altered the wood of the stock, then I'll have to say I'd flinch, also. Shoot well. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

04-07-2005, 10:54 AM	#10
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,851	Dale...it's good to see you posting again. We've missed you. Hope you'll be posting a lot. I'll be looking forward to hearing what you've been been up to. Ox __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

04-08-2005, 05:12 AM	#11
Zack43 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15	OXFORD I am new to this forum stuff an am not sure how to reply to your question so I also sent this directly to you. I found the SC at a gun show. The stock was a Remington so it was probably a switch out when the weapons went to the armory. The seller wasn't exactly sure of what he had, but he did get a fair price. I recently found an SC stock at another gun show. I need some SC hardware to complete it. Primarily the spring pin that holds the upper stock band. It is a beauty and I have resisted firing it. I do fire the Remington. Zack43

04-08-2005, 07:53 AM	#12
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	Zack, have you tried Numriches for that spring? That's where I got mine and when I did I got a few extras. I don't know about yours or anyone else's but my springs were either made from brittle steel or have become brittle over the years and it didn't take much to break a couple. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

04-08-2005, 10:41 AM	#13
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,851	Zack43...I would follow Dale's suggestion. He's experienced with solving the problem you described. :nod: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

04-08-2005, 07:51 PM	#14
Zack43 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15	Dale and Oxford - Thanks to both of you for the advice. I will check it out.

04-10-2005, 08:49 AM	#15
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	BTW, I researched your original question and found: 1. The elevation clicks are in one hundred increments with shortest range all the way forward and down going to the highest range, of course, backwards and up the ramp. 2. The windage is 4 MOA for each click of the windage knob. The information on the one hundred yards for each elevation setting kinda surprised me since it sure didn't seem to alter the POI that much for each click. But, there is all I was able to find for you. Shoot well. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

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