Smith Corona A3-03

P

pawaterfowlhunter

Inactive
Hey guys, first time posting in the forum after visiting many times. I was curious if anyone could give me some direction on a potential purchase. I thinking about buying the gun mentioned in the subject line of this post. Unfortunately, it's been sporterized but is in pretty good shape overall. I've attached some pics, and if possible, I would like to know the max amount of money you would pay for this weapon. Additionally, if I buy this gun, do I keep it as is, or am I better off making further upgrades (potentially a Boyd's stock) to basically make it another hunting rifle.

Thanks,

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Barrel was made in Sept 1943 but based on serial number is was assembled in 1944

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There are no other stamps on the stock that I can see other than this one

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It appears to be a Remington bolt based on the "R" stamped to the lest of the handle

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Welcome aboard! Glad to have you amongst us.

The metal is un-cut and not drilled & tapped. Here's an idea... I pick those up when finances allow, and I do look hard for those which haven't been cut or d&t'd. Those are such a joy in their original configgeration! Numrich and Sarco (and other places) sell GI stocks. You'll need to pick up a few other metal parts that went away with the upper handguards and the noisy end of the stock. But bringing a 03A3 back to correct condition is a lot of fun. Further sporterizing it will damage value and feelings (of us traditionalists at heart:D) Plus, you'd have to bend or replace the bolt handle/body for scope clearance :eek:

I don't know where you're located, but around here- I would expect to pay $300-$400 for one that hasn't been drilled for scope mounting.

Please don't damage it further.
 
Hey thanks for the the repsonse. I really didn't want to sporterize it any further and really wanted to get it back to where it should be. I was on ebay looking at prices and it looks like stocks were going for 300 and the metal bands were up there too. If you know of any other places I can look aside form the one mentioned I would really appreciate it. At the moment the gun is in my possession. The guy selling it said to keep it for the week while on vacation and if I want it, I can give him the money then. He wants $100 for it, but initially he said $50. So I am going to see if he will take $75 and a few bottle of homemade wine :D....I am guessing this is a really good deal even if I pay $100
 
At this point, the rifle is still "restore-able". As you noted, original top condition stocks are expensive and will most likely be less "shootable" than the chopped stock on the rifle now(short LOP and steel butt plate). If you really want to go back to military configuration, just keep watching the auction sites until something shows up. Keep in mind the condition of the metal will better match a somewhat bruised and dinged stock than pristine, never hit the dirt wood. I think I have 6-7 03A3 rifles mostly Smith-Corona with the 4 groove bore although a couple have been re-barrelled with NOS replacements(just as they would if done in an arsenal rebuild).
 
Seriously, this is the first time getting into a project like this so I am going to need some help. I am looking at these stocks and some are "c" others are "scant". How do I know which one I should get? Second, does it matter if it is four groove or two groove, and how do I tell what it is?
 
Buy it. Make it back into the rifle it once was or put a Boyd stock on it and have fun. If I was given the option the guy would have had cash in hand before he went on vacation.

Both my brother and dad have them so now I need one.
 
Picture No.2 looks like the action is gooshed into a wad of steel bed accraglas, or some similar epoxy compound.
If it has been epoxy bedded, make sure the action will come out of the stock before you buy it.
Or get ready for some big fun.
-----krinko
 
At $100 its a steal from what I can see from the pictures.

The Rifle itself looks un modified.

I'd toss the stock and get a new one from the CMP. Put it back to orginal and you have a $750 gun.

This is what it should look like when you are through

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Even the bayonet wont' fit! (piling on!)

Its worth every bit of $300. While I do not advocate it, if the barrel is good you could have that removed and sold separately (assumes barrel and receiver are different).

The barrel does not look to be an SC? R maybe? Not that it matters a lot.

it looks like you have a re-arsenal rifle that the only sporter work done was the stock.

I picked up one a while back that was reverse, SC 6 grove barrel on a R receiver. As there are stamps on the barrel the work was done in Australia in WWII. It was modified for scope mount so that part of the value is gone but very cool historically.
 
FWIW, it shouldn't look like that 1917 because the 1917 stocks were given a logwood stain that produced a reddish color; the M1903A3's were given a quick walnut stain then just linseed oil dipped. Most stocks were "combo" stocks that are cut for either the 03A3 or the earlier models.

Jim
 
I would pay a good $300 plus for that rifle and buy a C stock for it and shoot it in 1903 matches at Camp Perry! Let me know how much you want for it after you get it. :) I just shot my Remington 1903A3 today which is a CMP mixed parts gun but it shoots pretty darn good with the open sights. I can get about 2 1/2" consistently at 100 yards which is about all I am capable of without a scope. I hear people claim to shoot MOA groups with open sights a lot but I have to see it to believe it. Even as is that rifle would be a great gun!
 
Second, does it matter if it is four groove or two groove, and how do I tell what it is?

Generally speaking, the 2 groove will shoot well enough. Most(all?) SC 03-A3 had 4 groove or a few maybe had 6 groove. Every 4 groove A3 barrel I've used was exceptionally accurate.
Simply look down the bore and count the lands. Two groove will be quite noticeable vs 4 grooves.
 
thanks so far for the help fellas. Another question, if this were your gun, would it be better to buy an original stock with some character, or save the money and just buy a re-make and stain it myself? I really would like to get the most value for my dollar spent. From what I am seeing, those originals are expensive. I did look at CMP and I couldn't find anything that said they had them in stock.
 
welcome to the forum. I was too lazy to read the whole thread so I'm sorry if I'm reiterating what has already been said.

you look like you are in pretty good shape as far as restorability goes. there are no drill and tap holes, the barrel is still the correct length with proper front sight and the bolt handle has not been turned down. if you wanted to restore to military configuration all you would need would be a stock/handguard combo, a stock band and a bayonet lug/front stock band. all of that should be had for less than $300 off ebay. the gun itself is probably worth about $250-300 as is. I hate to see them cut up when they are still redeemable but if you really want to work this into a decent hunting rifle, I would recommend a redfield/leupold 1 piece scope mount and a vortex viper scope, and a boyds laminate stock, all in all about $600 in "upgrades".

straight stock with handguard$169
upper band/bayonet lug $20
lower stock band$17
handguard ring$12
rear sling swivel$21
buttplate$40

that should be about everything you need to get it looking like an old warhorse again.
 
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