Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this WWII-era bolt action rifle today for a penny start auction; this is the Smith-Corona Model 1903-A3!
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SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Smith-Corona
Model: 1903-A3
Serial: 4823755
Date of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 24"
Optics/Sights: Hooded blade front with Adjustable aperture rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth walnut stock
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / Barrel is stamped "SC" above a flaming ordnance bomb and "10-43" below. The receiver is stamped "U.S.Smith-Corona Model 03-A3 4823755". Left side of the stock is stamped "FJA" with a cartouche.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
During early 1942, it was observed that production of the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 could be increased if the rear sight base and related parts could be eliminated. This was because these components required time-consuming machining. To achieve this, Remington engineers modified the rifle's design by removing the previous rear sight and replacing it with an adjustable peep sight mounted on the rear of the receiver. They also lengthened the handguard, now called the "barrel guard," to cover the gap between the receiver and the upper band of the rifle. The new rear sight of the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3, was actually better suited for battle than the previous one.
In addition to the changes made in the rear sight, there was also more extensive use of stamped parts. The rifle was standardized as the "U.S. Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3" on May 21, 1942. Remington began deliveries of the new variant in December 1942. During this period, Remington manufactured both the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 Modified, and the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 variants concurrently. The last of the US Rifles, Cal. .30, Model 1903 Modified rifles, were turned out in May 1943.
The new rifle was marked “U.S./Remington/Model 03-A3/Serial No.” on the receiver ring. The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 designation was a colloquial term rather than the official nomenclature for the rifle. As with the preceding Remington ’03s, the barrel had the “RA” and “flaming bomb” markings and the month and year of production. The left side of the stock was stamped “FJA” (for Col. Frank J. Atwood), “RA” (Remington Arms), and the “crossed cannons” Ordnance Department escutcheon. A circled “P” proof mark was stamped on the grip behind the trigger guard, and various cryptic Remington internal inspection markings were stamped on the stock forward of the trigger guard. The stock furniture was constructed of stamped sheet metal.
The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3’s stock was similar to the straight grip stock previously utilized with the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903 Modified. Still, it was inletted to accept the “barrel guard ring” necessitated by the longer handguard. The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 stocks were also inletted for the previous rear sight as well. Besides the straight grip stock, Remington also manufactured some stocks with semi-pistol grips, often dubbed “scant” or “scant grip” stocks today. Adopting this pattern stock enabled Remington to utilize many of the stock blanks the firm had on hand from the abortive British rifle production contract. Most, if not all, of the “scant grip” stocks were utilized for replacement purposes, except for some that were used with US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A4 sniper rifles.
In October 1942, Remington was granted permission to produce two-groove barrels for the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3, after prior testing at the Aberdeen Proving Ground revealed that satisfactory accuracy could be obtained with them. Two-groove barrels resulted in reduced manufacturing time and cost, which further boosted the rifle's production rate.
The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 simplified the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 as much as possible without adversely affecting the rifle's accuracy, strength, or efficiency. The ’03A3 was much easier and cheaper to manufacture than earlier rifles, yet boasted a strong action and a more efficient “combat sight” than its predecessors.
Remington received ever-increasing orders for the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3, and the Ordnance Department sought an additional source. To this end, the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company was granted a contract to produce the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3. Smith-Corona’s rifles were essentially identical to their Remington counterparts except for markings. The company was eventually assigned two blocks of serial numbers. Smith-Corona did not use all of the numbers from the second block. Remington only used a relatively few serial numbers from the final block, stopping at the very low 4,200,000 serial number range. There were also some serial numbers used for the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A4 sniper rifle production from this final block.
Remington (and Smith-Corona) produced ever-increasing numbers of US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3s, and they proved valuable in our rapidly expanding armed forces. Many of the rifles were used for training purposes “stateside,” but a number were shipped overseas for issue as supplemental service rifles. Although not used in extremely large numbers as compared to the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 or M1 Garand rifles, US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3s definitely saw combat use in several theaters of the war, including the European and China-Burma-India theaters.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: 1903-A3
Serial: 4823755
Date of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 24"
Optics/Sights: Hooded blade front with Adjustable aperture rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth walnut stock
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / Barrel is stamped "SC" above a flaming ordnance bomb and "10-43" below. The receiver is stamped "U.S.Smith-Corona Model 03-A3 4823755". Left side of the stock is stamped "FJA" with a cartouche.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
During early 1942, it was observed that production of the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 could be increased if the rear sight base and related parts could be eliminated. This was because these components required time-consuming machining. To achieve this, Remington engineers modified the rifle's design by removing the previous rear sight and replacing it with an adjustable peep sight mounted on the rear of the receiver. They also lengthened the handguard, now called the "barrel guard," to cover the gap between the receiver and the upper band of the rifle. The new rear sight of the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3, was actually better suited for battle than the previous one.
In addition to the changes made in the rear sight, there was also more extensive use of stamped parts. The rifle was standardized as the "U.S. Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3" on May 21, 1942. Remington began deliveries of the new variant in December 1942. During this period, Remington manufactured both the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 Modified, and the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 variants concurrently. The last of the US Rifles, Cal. .30, Model 1903 Modified rifles, were turned out in May 1943.
The new rifle was marked “U.S./Remington/Model 03-A3/Serial No.” on the receiver ring. The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 designation was a colloquial term rather than the official nomenclature for the rifle. As with the preceding Remington ’03s, the barrel had the “RA” and “flaming bomb” markings and the month and year of production. The left side of the stock was stamped “FJA” (for Col. Frank J. Atwood), “RA” (Remington Arms), and the “crossed cannons” Ordnance Department escutcheon. A circled “P” proof mark was stamped on the grip behind the trigger guard, and various cryptic Remington internal inspection markings were stamped on the stock forward of the trigger guard. The stock furniture was constructed of stamped sheet metal.
The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3’s stock was similar to the straight grip stock previously utilized with the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903 Modified. Still, it was inletted to accept the “barrel guard ring” necessitated by the longer handguard. The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 stocks were also inletted for the previous rear sight as well. Besides the straight grip stock, Remington also manufactured some stocks with semi-pistol grips, often dubbed “scant” or “scant grip” stocks today. Adopting this pattern stock enabled Remington to utilize many of the stock blanks the firm had on hand from the abortive British rifle production contract. Most, if not all, of the “scant grip” stocks were utilized for replacement purposes, except for some that were used with US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A4 sniper rifles.
In October 1942, Remington was granted permission to produce two-groove barrels for the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3, after prior testing at the Aberdeen Proving Ground revealed that satisfactory accuracy could be obtained with them. Two-groove barrels resulted in reduced manufacturing time and cost, which further boosted the rifle's production rate.
The US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3 simplified the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 as much as possible without adversely affecting the rifle's accuracy, strength, or efficiency. The ’03A3 was much easier and cheaper to manufacture than earlier rifles, yet boasted a strong action and a more efficient “combat sight” than its predecessors.
Remington received ever-increasing orders for the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3, and the Ordnance Department sought an additional source. To this end, the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company was granted a contract to produce the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model 1903A3. Smith-Corona’s rifles were essentially identical to their Remington counterparts except for markings. The company was eventually assigned two blocks of serial numbers. Smith-Corona did not use all of the numbers from the second block. Remington only used a relatively few serial numbers from the final block, stopping at the very low 4,200,000 serial number range. There were also some serial numbers used for the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A4 sniper rifle production from this final block.
Remington (and Smith-Corona) produced ever-increasing numbers of US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3s, and they proved valuable in our rapidly expanding armed forces. Many of the rifles were used for training purposes “stateside,” but a number were shipped overseas for issue as supplemental service rifles. Although not used in extremely large numbers as compared to the US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903 or M1 Garand rifles, US Rifle, Cal. .30, Model of 1903A3s definitely saw combat use in several theaters of the war, including the European and China-Burma-India theaters.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
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Payment Details
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Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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