Just picked up a really nice, supposed to be originally from CMP, parkerized Smith-Corona 03A3 that I got off Gunbroker. The barrel marking is Oct. 1943. The bore is bright with sharp four groove rifling. The straight grain walnut stock is the non pistol grip model with hardly a mark on it. It's stamped OG so I believe it's safe to say it's an Ogden Arsenal replacement.
This is the third O3A3 I've owned. I paid $40 for the first one in 1970, like new that still had cosmoline on it. They cost a lot more now. I probably paid too much for this one but I saw several that had considerably higher starting prices that didn't look any better if as good as this one does.
I've owned a couple of the older 03 Springfields; blued, no stamped parts with the cool rear sight and finger groove stock. No question, up close, they're a better looking rifle IMO but the 03A3 receiver mounted "peep" sight make is a lot easier for me and probably a lot of shooters to hit what we're shooting at.
