1903A3's

[Timberland]

Here are two I just bought. They were both purchased in 1957 out of american rifleman. the one with the scope was only shot a few times, the other one was never shot. The bores on both are mirror bright and crisp. This one is all matching but the stock was sported. It is a remington. I am looking for a 1943 stock and hardware for it. Finish is really good and original. Barrel matches

[Timberland]

This one is a smith corona. The stock is a Fajen. This one wasn't taken care of and the bolt, barrel, mag floorplate and trigger guard were rusted. It is currently at my gunsmith getting bright blue finish and a jeweled bolt. Bore thankgod is perfect. Can't wait, be ready in 3 weeks. When I get it back, plan on stripping stock and refinishing. Got em as a package deal.

[Timberland]

other side. Working on guy at work. He has a 1908 RIA thats in good shape.

[Jack2427]

Great looking rifles. Did the stock on the first rifle come that way or did you modify it?

[Twoms]

during our exhibition drill, we use 1903's to spin. they have great balance and a good squared off look. their overall great rifles....even though i've never fired one..
i love the original and scoped pics you have up there....
the ones we spin are painted to make the drill routine look better.

[HerbG]

When the DCM began selling the 1903-A3 rifles, the American Rifleman ran a series of articles on how to sporterize the rifles. One, the "economy sporter" looked exactly like the rifle in photo one except the upper handguard was retained. This simple conversion consisted of cutting off and reshaping the stock and upper handguard. They suggested fitting a replacement hunting-type front sight blade which was available from Redfield, Lyman, and others.

I did a couple of these conversions, and they were amazingly accurate. Once had a one-inch five shot group at 100 yards. My eyesight was a lot better in those days.

Other Rifleman articles detailed more sophisticated conversions. I still have a Smith Corona rifle that I had rebored to .338/06 and had E.C. Bishop and Sons fit a custom stock to. A very nice rifle even today!