Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Looking for 1903-a3 US rifle

I have a Grand, an 03A3 and a bitching bayonet. But I need a regular 1903.

Yes you do. That would be an nice addition.

My old man bought one through the NRA in the early 60's for I believe 15 bucks. He put a Herters stock on it. Later on I had mounts installed, got a bent bolt handle for it. Later on I had it rebarrled to 257 Roberts. I still have the barrel though.

Check gunbroker or Collectors Firearms

The thing is, all of this stuff is 70+ years old now. They aren't making 1903A3's any more. Nor are they making 1903's, or Lee Enfields, or Mausers, or Schmidt-Rubin's, or...

Such rifles are squarely in the realm of we nostalgia freaks. And us custom gun admirers who look upon vintage Mausers and Springfields as bases for sporters (original specimens notwithstanding) aren't helping matters any. The result is the supply of correct specimens dwindles- for both collectors and sport shooters alike. There should be a "Springfield Central" where all sales of these babies should be cleared, whether in original or sporterized condition. I humbly volunteer to be the moderator/factotum of such an enterprise and promise to act impartially and without prejudice. I promise. Truly. (As long as I get to read the for sale ads first... )

First c'fire rifle I bought, when I was a kid, was a "sporterized" 03-A3, Remington make, 3.6 million serial number range with a four-groove barrel. Previous owner had cut the barrel to 19", recrowned, removed the handguard and did a really nice job of recrafting the original stock into a full-length forearm. Installed a nice gold-bead ramp front sight and left the original battle sight on the rear. Barrel and action were completely glass-bedded. Loaned it to the wrong person. Haven't seen it since 1967. Oh well, lesson learned.

Bought a nice Garand from a guy at work. All H&R parts for 600.00.

That was a deal!