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I have a 1903 Remington Springfield that has had the dovetail ground off the rear of the receiver, is it still possible to put a scope base on it?
"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."
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Why do people do that? I'm guessing the steel that's left is about a 1/64" thick. You'll have to have it built back up by welding or silver soldering.
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"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."
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I've seen several 1903A3's that were contoured to match the standard 1903 rear contour, then used a 1903 scope base.
Bruce
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Why do people do that? I'm guessing the steel that's left is about a 1/64" thick. You'll have to have it built back up by welding or silver soldering. Agree. My only thought is the guy who did it liked the looks of the std -03 better, and tried to make the 030A3 look like the -03. It's really a dumb move...
Don Buckbee
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Are you sure it is not a transition model? The first Springfields turned out by Remington resembled the RIA and Springfield '03's.
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In the early 60s, when the 03A3 started becoming available through the DCM, Weaver made a base that would straddle the raised part of the rear receiver ring. You drilled through the raised part.
Before then, IIRC, you had to use a flat bottomed base, and grind off the raised part.
The first time one was brought into our shop, the owner said he wanted the raised part ground off and a flat bottomed base put on.
I refused to do it. I explained that the rear receiver ring was too thin and would not be strong enough to hold the threaded screws.
This guy was a sort or know it all and he said that he didn't plan of carrying the rifle around using the scope as a handle.
So, okay, I did it his way, and I waited anxiously, thinking of what I would say to him when he brought the rifle back with the screws stripped out.
After I drilled and tapped the thin bridge, I pulled on the screws and they would not come out, but I still thought it was a bad idea.
He came back into the shop several times and I always asked him how the rear base was holding up. It never gave him a bit of trouble, and he sent some of his friends in to have the same thing done to their 03A3s.
I still thought it was a bad idea, but if they insisted, I would do it. As far as I know, no one had any problem with the rear screws holding, but I think the Weaver idea with the relief cut for the high part was a much better idea.
With the type steel in the 03A3, and the heat treating, I think the rear receiver ring is plenty strong enough to hold a scope in place. At least, I never heard of any coming loose when modified they way I did it.
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Are you sure it is not a transition model? The first Springfields turned out by Remington resembled the RIA and Springfield '03's. It's definitely been ground on.
"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."
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Can you post a pic? It is not common in this area. I haunt pawn shops looking for old 03's to build sporters on, and I have never seen this done. TIA
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1903 Remington Springfield If the receiver ring doesn't say 1903 A3, it didn't have a dovetail. Bruce
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It says Remington Model 1903, but someone did grind on the receiver.
"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."
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I've often seen file marks on 1903's. I would guess it was to correct a high rear base. Lots easier to file a convex receiver than a concave base, if all you have is a flat file. Always wondered why they didn't just shim the front base instead. Or maybe someone just wanted to fit the rifle to a ??? base they already had. I've seen lots of makeshift stuff that would have been easier to do it right. Bruce
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As near as I can tell by the serial# it is a M1903 made in 1942.
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