This Remington Model 1903A3 is chambered in .30-06 Springfield and carries a serial number in the 3.58 million range. Its markings include a barrel dated R A 4-43, a Springfield logo, an R stamped bolt, and FJA and circled P cartouches in the stock. Rifling is strong and sharp and the rifle is mechanically excellent. It retains approximately 92 percent of its arsenal Parkerized finish.
The M1903A3 was standardized on 21 May 1942 as a wartime simplification of the M1903, and Remington began deliveries that December. The most visible change was the deletion of the rear sight base in favor of an adjustable peep sight mounted at the rear of the receiver, with the handguard lengthened to cover the gap between the receiver and the upper band. Remington also adopted extensive stamped components, including the lower barrel band and band spring, the butt swivel, the magazine follower, and eventually a one-piece trigger guard and magazine assembly, while the upper band changed from milled to stamped. Remington’s own M1903 production opened in the serial block 3,000,000 to 3,599,999. Barrels were marked RA for Remington Arms together with a flaming bomb and the month and year of manufacture. Remington built 707,629 M1903A3 rifles and Smith-Corona a further 233,998 under contract before production ended in February 1944.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Remington
Country of origin: United States
Model: M1903A3
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Serial: In the 3.58 million range
Barrel: Marked R A 4-43
Bolt: Stamped R
Markings: Springfield logo; FJA and circled P cartouches in the stock
Rifling: Strong and sharp
Finish: Retaining approximately 95 percent of arsenal Parkerized finish
Mechanical condition: Mechanically excellent
