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

Looked at CMP website and they are out. What does an decent specimen from say Remington going to run?

I'd like to get one before they get too spendy and less available. Already have an beautiful P17- 30-06 and an old Springfield 1903 30-06 but I'm missing the 03-a3 in the lineup.

Any suggestions on price and generally what I need to look out for on the physical rifle?

Thanks.

Cabelas
Springfield Oregon had 2 last timeless there

Wow. Those are a spendy. I'm wondering if I'm too late to collecting a few.

You are.

Put up a WTB ad in the classifieds.

Put up a WTB in the CMP forum as well.

kwg

I haven't seen a decent example for less than $800 in years. Cabela's prices are generally nutz, but sometimes they will deal with you. You're not too late to start, there are plenty out there. But the cost to build a collection will be significant.

Prices anywhere from $600-$1000 for better specimens, not including the A4's.

And if you do find an A4 that catches your eye, remember that there about three times as many now as were made in WWII. Beware.

Theres an real nice Remington 03-a3 I can aquire for $750. I thought it may be high but it seems an very reasonable price for the condition.

What I'd like to have is an decent sample of the weapons from major players of the World Wars. So at current I've got

Mosin Nagant
Mauser 98
Mauser CZ-24
Springfield 1903
Japanese Arisaka
SMLE MKIII

So if I aquire an 1903-a3 for collecting and actual shooting use will that be an pretty decent example of battle rifles used in the past WWs? At least major players.

And no Garands. I'm looking at older technology.

If you are lumping WWI battle rifles in with WWII stuff as an example of a 20th century U.S. military bolt action, May I suggest a M1903 instead. It was used in both wars (the Marines used them up until late '42, there are pics of GI's at Normandy carrying them, and I know personally that my uncle carried one right through to the end, from 1940 when he was drafted), whereas the 1903A3 didn't even come into existence until 1942. You'll find the 1903 to have better fit and finish, and probably be more accurate anyway (disregarding its difficult to use rear sight).

Don't regard the M1917 as a replacement in the "one rifle" category. It went into secondary reserve after WWI and was not issued to combat troops in WWII, being issued instead to state-side guys guarding depots, prisons, ROTC units, etc. and given away as Lend-Lease to desperate allies.

Thanks. I did mention that I've already acquired an perfect US model 1917 and an Springfield 1903. Both are stunning examples which have come from an local collector who passed. I just don't have an later 03-a3 to round out what was used in WWII.

I'm thinking the addition of the later 03-a3 will be an well rounded representation of the battle rifles used by the major players of the era. I'm not an big time collector, I'm just trying to put together kind of some storyboard of what what used commonly.

Added another 1903 Springfield today. Just too nice to pass up. I'll get an A3 as soon as I can swing it.

Now I'm wondering if would be worthy to have an Carcano to represent Italy. Is the Carcano signifigant enough historically and used enough to warrant an example for history sake?

Up to you. I guess a guy should have one if for no other reason than completing a WWII collection, maybe.

Congrats on the '03. Specs?

This one is in the 1.8 million number range from Springfield. I paid $750.

Paid $400 for an excellent 1903A3 from the CMP, back in 2004 when they still had them.

I found an 1903a3 Remington that is excellent for $600 but I had to spring for another 1903 because of the price. My first 1903 from CMP cost $35.

Just like Garands, I wish I bought more. I have a two groove, 1947 I think. 4 shots at 100yds:

?? Springfield serial numbers only went up to around 1,400,000.

I picked up my '03 and '03A3 from the CMP. The '03 was made between the wars. The '03A3 was one of the last ones made and is in virtually unused condition, except the Greeks inletted and welded sling swivels into the side of the stock and rear band. It's history. I'll leave it as is.

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!