What to look for in a 1903A3 Springfield?
 

I am going to look at a WW2 1903A3 Springfield Thursday, and I have no idea what to look for.

The seller got it from CMP several years ago, and says it is "pristine".

Anything specific I should look for?

Thanks,

I do not know enough. I understand that EARLY ones can not handle M2 ball or factory loads! check with some people that know these spoons before you invest.

I don't know much, they seem a bit complex, check this check that... But :) these guys know everything Springfield Armory - 1911Forum about Springers

There are tons of straight and in excellent condition 03 A3 out there...$475 to about $750

They were not made by Sprinfield but by Remingtion, & Smith Corona...They should have high Sn' and have a date on the top of the Barel just behind the front sight along with a proof mark. All should be parkarized. Parts are stamped and not milled as on the earlier Springfields. There should be a cartouch on the stock as to MFG....


Most 03 A3 are pretty straight, which is unlike the earlier Springfields which were largely all rebuilt at one time or another. One might look and try and find a Remington 03 which were made in 1942, these still had the milled parts.

My Remington O3 A4 sniper went for a world record of $5700 at auction.

Any pics of this Remington? (please)

O3a3.......
 

As Tabs hinted at, but did not say, only the early number Springfield 03s were manufactured with suspect heat treatment of the receivers. Most of them were "fixed" by way of a second round of heat treatment. There should be no safety issues with an O3A3 assuming a clean bore and proper ammo.

Pictues
 

Springfield 03

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308738211.jpg

Springfield 03A3

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308738243.jpg

Thanks,

I know about the low number issue, this is a WW2 vintage 03A3 so that isn't a concern.

I found a site with a lot of info, on markings and such: http://m1903.com/isstamps.htm

Tabs, I am not finding much available in that price range. I don't generally collect pristine examples, I like been-around-the-block shooters, so I don't mind taking them out and enjoying them.

This is a local guy asking $725. which based on what I see on Gunbroker is on the low end for a really nice example. I guess it depends on if it was reworked or not.

I wouldn't mind having one of these

Springfield 1903 A3 30.06cal Rifle

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308792456.jpg

I have heard those are reworked drill rifles. Not sure that is as bad as some folks seem to think, but I would rather have an original.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308849934.jpg

This was my 03 A4..sold at auciton for $5750.00..a world record for one.

BTW this is the proper scope for one..

Do ya want me to break out pics of my Springfields? I got UNOBTAINIUM...

Sold a very nice 03 about 10 years ago for ~$780.00

I wished I'd had the money to buy that one for my personal use, it was VERY nice!

Condition, lack of rust, are there any parts missing, etc.

Many of the CMP spoons I have seen through the years were in MUCH less than pristine condition.

YMMV

Back when the military used a man's rifle. Ever compare a .223 to a 30.06?

IMHO, I would get either a 1903 Springfield or Remington manufacture with a high serial number or a Remington 1903A4 with the proper scope.

I don't really like the '03A3 because of the rear sight which is stamped metal and the same as what was used on the M1 Carbine. It just doesn't seem right.
http://oldguns.net/pix/smof5326.jpg

The early '03 had the ladder sight. Much more to my liking.
http://oldguns.net/pix/smof5497.jpg

Then there is the '03A4 of which ONLY Remington manufactured and these can be very expensive. I have seen some fakes of the A4, so watch out.
http://oldguns.net/pix/smof5498.jpg

And don't forget the '03 Pederson.
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/questions/Pedersen.htm

Stock is a little tired, but bore and throat both gauge a "1". The S/N points to March 43, which matches the barrel stamp.

I got it for $680.

http://www.shedracing.net/imgmisc/a3.jpg

I may have got one cheaper from an auction, but none of the ones I saw listed the bore gauge numbers, and I didn't have to mess with shipping, etc.

Pretty happy.

Thanks for the advice.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1308849934.jpg

This was my 03 A4..sold at auciton for $5750.00..a world record for one.

BTW this is the proper scope for one..

Do ya want me to break out pics of my Springfields? I got UNOBTAINIUM...

Uh, YES!

Finally got to do some shooting with the old girl. I bought some 30-06 cases and Hornady 180 gr BTSP at Cabelas, picked a middle of the road load from the Hornady book with powder I had on hand,

I shot it the other day, just dicking around. made sure the load was OK, hit what I aimed at, sitting/kneeling/offhand, but really wasn't pushing anything.

Went to the real range north of Reno with my FIL this morning. Put up a target at 100 yards, and took three shots from the bench, figured I would get an idea where I needed to adjust. Didn't even look through the spotting scope until I fired all 3.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313983475.jpg

Moved to the 300 yard gong. Klang. Klang. Klang.

Hmm. Lets try the 400 yard gong. Klang. Klang. Klang.

Wow, this is pretty cool. Lets try the 500 yard gong. Klang. Klang. Klang.

Holy crap. I really like this rifle.

I think you did all right. I wonder what it will be worth in another 70 years?
Jim