tahunua001
New member
the one you found looks nicer. normally stain is unnecessary. once you get a few coats of linseed oil on it it goldens up quite nicely.
Smith Corona A3-03
- Thread starter pawaterfowlhunter
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
I keep thinking I want to get a replacement stock for my 1903-A3, but every time I do, I see the price on those things
My Dad got two from NRA in the early 1960s. He chopped the stock on the one that was my hunting rifle as a kid, and he did a full-bore conversion into the one that was his hunting rifle.
My Dad got two from NRA in the early 1960s. He chopped the stock on the one that was my hunting rifle as a kid, and he did a full-bore conversion into the one that was his hunting rifle.
We are looking at how original it is and complete.
While shooting does not make a difference (mostly, i.e. accuracy wise) the 6 grove barrels are much rarer and have a higher value and interest than the 4s (two would be a re-barrel I think but would have to cross check that)
The front of the barrel you took a picture of should have an ID on it. SC, RA, JA, HS. I can't make it out and would like that detail if you can.
None of them makes I less accurate but does drive value.
pawaterfowlhunter
Inactive
it's RA
tahunua001
New member
since nobody answered the stock question(at least that I saw in a cursary scrolling).
the original 1903 came with a straight style stock with grasping grooves. the rifle later saw some updates and became the 1903A1 where they switched to the C stock, or pistolgrip stock as some people refer to it as. when the 1903A3 was introduced as a costcutting/timesaving measure, they were given a straight style similar to the original but without grasping grooves as the C was more difficult to fashion in a timely manner. a compromise design called the scant stock was made that was still faster and easier to make than the pistolgrip but still had more of a pistolgrip feel, but to my knowledge the scant was never used in the factory and instead was only used to replaced damaged stocks in depot level repair/refurbish. the 1903A4 snipers were given the C stock. so long story short, the correct style for your rifle is the straight style without grasping grooves although a scant stock could be considered correct for a rebuild.
picture of said stocks.
the original 1903 came with a straight style stock with grasping grooves. the rifle later saw some updates and became the 1903A1 where they switched to the C stock, or pistolgrip stock as some people refer to it as. when the 1903A3 was introduced as a costcutting/timesaving measure, they were given a straight style similar to the original but without grasping grooves as the C was more difficult to fashion in a timely manner. a compromise design called the scant stock was made that was still faster and easier to make than the pistolgrip but still had more of a pistolgrip feel, but to my knowledge the scant was never used in the factory and instead was only used to replaced damaged stocks in depot level repair/refurbish. the 1903A4 snipers were given the C stock. so long story short, the correct style for your rifle is the straight style without grasping grooves although a scant stock could be considered correct for a rebuild.
picture of said stocks.
highpower3006
New member
If you are patient enough, you will find a correct stock for your rifle for a reasonable price. I picked up a S-C a couple of years ago that was was in far worse shape than yours. No stock or stock fittings and the wrong trigger guard.
I spent a couple of months searching evilbay and other sites that sold parts and managed to come up with all the correct Smith-Corona bits and pieces, including a original stock.
All-in I have about $450 in it which I think is pretty reasonable. It is easy to get impatient and go with a Boyds stock, but I think it is worth the wait to source out original parts for these rifles.
I spent a couple of months searching evilbay and other sites that sold parts and managed to come up with all the correct Smith-Corona bits and pieces, including a original stock.
All-in I have about $450 in it which I think is pretty reasonable. It is easy to get impatient and go with a Boyds stock, but I think it is worth the wait to source out original parts for these rifles.
pawaterfowlhunter
Inactive
Again great info guys, that 1903-a3 is a beautiful gun you have. I am definitely trying to be patient. I did email a couple companies to see if they had any originals
tahunua001
New member
for small parts numrich arms has the best prices and a lot of times they are very good about labelling something as original, used, or unissued. they redid their website a couple years ago and it became a hot mess to try to navigate but if you are patient enough you could try there.
Blindstitch
New member
If you need a few small parts here and there from Numrich I usually wait to place an order on Wednesday because they show discounts of $4.50-6.50 shipping on their facebook.
Otherwise call them during the business day and they will give a coupon code for placing online orders. I take it this is payment for not having to help you place an order.
Otherwise call them during the business day and they will give a coupon code for placing online orders. I take it this is payment for not having to help you place an order.
What you have then is a SC receiver with a Remington barrel, could be two or four grove.
Nice gun, less value than a full up SC.
A lot refer to them as mixmaster which I do not like, they are living history of guns that saw real use and service. Otherwise they got held out and never saw use (or much use) and never wore anything out or got anything broken,
Barrels were common wear out item ego the replacement barrel (including new ones in WWII for the Model of 1917 Enfield's.
pawaterfowlhunter
Inactive
at this point, like some have said, I am going to be patient looking for one of these orignal stock. The one on ebay got bid up to over 250 and they were asking $25 to ship, so that didn't work out. The gun is mine and it's not going anywhere. I will keep you all posted. Thanks fellas for the help- unlike another forum I belong to, you guys have been all class acts and very helpful.
Blindstitch
New member
So when are you going to shoot it?
pawaterfowlhunter
Inactive
I'm not going to shoot it until it's officially mine. I think this week I may take it to get the barrel inspected and I should be able to make the financial transaction by next weekend.