1903 to 1903A3 Springfield

[Joe Boleo]

The prices on decent military 1903 and 1903A3 Springfield rifles are astounding and out of reach for many of us. I was in a gun shop today and picked up an excellent high number Srpinfield 1903 that was sitting in a sporter stock and had a different rear sight. No problem and the price was cheap. I have a 1903A3 stock and handguard with all the metalwork at home. My local gunsmith will install an 03A3 rear sight and I will have complete military rifle for not much money. The milled triggerguard always did look better. Take care....
Joe

[Adam Helmer]

Joe,
Are you going to rebuild a military M1903 or take an M1903 into the 03-A3 configuration? You can easily go back to the M1903. I have a new (in the wrap) M1903 rear sight and barrel sleeve your gunsmith could fit easily.

Today a lad brought by a Remington M1903-A3 that his dad gave him. I have never seen a nicer A3 and best of all the "FJA" stamp was in the stock. Better yet, this was a National Match competition arm a former owner (now deceased) used at Camp Perry in long range matches, according to the "dope book". The rear sight is the Lyman model peep that replaced the issue rear sight and the front sight is a higher post with globe configuration and interchangeable posts and rings.

At 100 yards with LC-68 Ball, the glass-bedded rifle printed a one-hole group! The lad wanted an SKS and a No. 4 Mk1, and bayonet, in a swap. Oh, yea, this is a deal that DID occur. I am glad I did not find this at the gun show in Morris yesterday as I got a real deal right at home.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

I talked with Joe and his plan was to make the 1903 into a 1903A3. He prefers the aperture rear sight as I do.maybe is you sent him one of those 1903 rear sights, he will make it a 1903 again. All the best...
Gil

[Joe Boleo]

The project is a toss up whether I end up with a 1903 or 1903A3 in the original stock. I am leaning toward the 1903 since I am also working on a 1903A3 remilitarization. Take care...
Joe

[muledeer]

Back in the 60's in Southern Calif we used to buy 03's and A3's for $40-$50 bucks. Ah hindsight
muledeer

[Gil Martin]

If we could go back to the 1960s for one day and some cash we would snap all the 1903s and 1903A3s we could carry. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

muledeer,

Yes, those days of the early 1960s were the days to grab up really nice military stuff for a great price. Even then we knew the prices of military rifles and pistols were cheap and, unfortunately, Gil and I did not have much cash earned at $1.00 per hour mowing lawns.

Here are my 1958-1962 prices for arms on establishment:
Webley Mk VI $14.88 + shipping
03-A3 $25.00
Carcano M-38 7.35mm $13.88
N04 Mk1 $13.50
N01 MkIII $13.00
N05 Mk1 $25.00
M1 Garand $81.00
M1 Carbine $20.00 (DCM $17.50 + $2.50 packing and shipping)
M1911A1 $21.00 (DCM $19.00 + $2.00 packing and shipping.)

Ah, but time is so fleeting! I am just glad I was able to see and handle all the historical arms I did. I also, got to buy and keep a few treasures of the "Good Old Days."

Adam

[Riposte1]

I am certainly not in favor of ruining what is now a piece of history if you happen to own a stock military Springfield but on the other hand there are lots of guns that are already modified that have a historical value all their own.

I have purchased several 03s and a couple of 03A3s which were "sporterized" or, in some cases completely re done.

I got my son one made in 1918 that had not only been drilled and tapped for a scope (in fact it had an old Weaver El Passo 4X which was had a dot reticle). But it was also drilled and tapped for a receiver sight and he wanted that over the scope so I found an old Lyman sight about the right vintage.

Great gun! Still shoots better than I can (which ain't saying much).

Riposte

[skeet]

I remember the Kleins Sporting goods ads from the 50's and early 60's. I wanted to buy a 1911 so bad back then. They were under 25 bucks..so were 03's. I have a Colt 1911 National Match that the previous owner bought from Kleins in the late 50's new in the box ...mail order. I paid him a bit more than he paid though...but not a lot more.

And I have an 03A3 barrelled action with all the metal that a Marine fighter pilot brought back from the South Pacific in WWII. Dated 5-43 and it is the sniper version. Just wish I had the original stock for it. He got it from a "mud" marine. Don't know if it has ever been shot. Doesn't look it!

[hnter]

Adam, I Just happend ta see this this thread.

I've an 03-A3 exactly as described by Adam but without the stock markings. It looks as if the stock has been redone.
I picked it up as I was leaving a gun show from a old guy who was outside ( said he couldn't afford the $3.00 fee) trying to sell it. It was a beauty and I gave him more than he was askin fer it. The guy looked as if he was gonna cry.

Don't know if it was because he was sellin it or because of what I gave him. I suspect a bit of both.

The action says
"Nat. Ord. Inc
Mod 03-A3
S/N60002XXX"

Without saying what I paid fer it. Did I do good?

Hnter

[Gil Martin]

Sounds like you did OK. National Ordnance was not a WWII maker of 1903-A3 Springfield rifles. It is a company that assembled 1903-A3 rifles from surplus G.I. parts and sold them to the public. Nothing wrong with them and it should be a good shooter. All the best...
Gil

[hnter]

I thought so.

Any Idea as to the year it might have been assembled by Nat Ord?

Thanks again,


Hnter