National Ordinance 1903A3

[J-Bud54]

I just found and purchased a National Ordinance '03 A3 at a gun show over the weekend. I know it's not "the real McCoy" but this one was the cleanest, like-mint, one I've ever seen. It has a Remington barrel dated 7/44 and the bore is in excellent shape. I paid $400 and got four inquiries to buy it off me within the next 45 minutes as I walked around the show so I think I did OK, even though I realize it has little, if any, collector's value, per se.

Since I do want to shoot it out at the range, I'd like to know what kind of reputation the N.O. has as a shooter. In particular, are they safe to use? Is there anything else special about them I need to know about? Also, do you think $400 was a fair price?

Thank you for your comments.

:D

[flowboy143]

have it checked out by a good gunsmith he will be able to tell you all you need to know

[surbat6]

In the book The Springfield 1903 rifles by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy, USAR, Ret., he discusses the National Ordnance 03A3 rifles. I'll try to summarize.
A company named Golden State Arms built 1903 rifles using investment cast receivers made in Yugoslavia and surplus 1903 parts. Workmanship was poor, with very poor fit and finish. After relatively few of these were sold, National Ordnance of El Monte, CA produced them under their own name, using a better investment cast receiver (better than the Golden State version, but still a poor substitute for a real '03), again with surplus parts . In the author's opinion, a collector is wasting his money if he invests in one of these ersatz rifles for any reason other than curiosity. The good news is, in1963, H.P. White Laboratory tested 3 of the N.O. receivers and found no weaknesses or flaws during the abusive and destructive testing. If yours headspaces correctly, it should be safe to shoot. Accuracy will depend largely on the condition of the barrel.
Seems to me the price was a bit high, though somewhat cheaper than decent originals. That said, I can't find a reference to N.O. rifles in any of my price guides, so your rifle may well be correctly valued.