1903A3 Smith Corona

[wctriumph]

Well, finally got her out to shoot and wow, this is a great rifle. Shooting off hand in the wind with mil-surp ammo, I put eight of eight into a 5 gallon steel pail at 100 paces and 6 out of eight at 150 paces. Next time I will go to a actual range and see what she will do on paper. One issue I had is that the hood over the front sight tends to obscure the target somewhat. I think a little more time with her and I can overcome this issue. I waited a long time to get one of these and I got a good one, a great one. This SC 1903A3 is a keeper, I don't see myself ever selling or trading this wonderful historical battle rifle. YES!!!

Worked out a trade for this a couple of weeks ago. Receive dates to 1943 and barrel date matches. I have always wanted one and she looks good next to my M1. After things settle down a bit I will need to find a 1917 to add to my old school military collection.



OK, so what I have learned so far. I disassembled the rifle and I have been able to determine that the stock is indeed a Smith-Corona marked stock and the hand guard is not marked which, according the book I have and online sources, is consistent with Smith-Corona. The coloring, machine marks and wear all indicate to me that the stock and hand guard belong together. The magazine/floor plate/trigger guard are S-C as are the barrel bands. The front sight cover and bolt are Remington. The trigger parts are all S-C and so is the Butt plate. There is the plastic cleaning tube in the butt with the jag, brush, weighted cord in one end and some small amount of really smelly oil in the other end. The sling is a reproduction Kerr item and really is a pretty cool sling. The rifle has been refurbished at the arsenal in Utah as pointed out in a reply below and from what I can tell the receiver and barrel are original to each other, both dating to 1943. The barrel is four groove and shiny without pits although the rifling looks shallow to me. The lands and grooves do look sharp but I am far from an expert and this is first one I have ever examined close up. I hope to get out to the range at some point and see how she shoots. As funds permit I will install a replica leather sling and a proper bayonet, the CMP has some at reasonable prices.

Thanks to all that have provided information and I truly enjoyed the help and comments from the community here.

[Zombie Steve]

Damn, I want one of these. Congrats.

[zteknik]

Nice!!
I never saw one with a scant grip stock.My S.C. has a full c stock.
They shoot as good as they look!Enjoy!!

[sneakerd]

Nice one- the Kerr sling adds a nice touch as well.

[Blockhead]

Nice!!
I never saw one with a scant grip stock.My S.C. has a full c stock.

That's a straight stock, not a scant stock.

Great looking rifle. Can you tell me if the cut out for the barrel band spring is squared on the front or rounded?

[StagLefty]

That's a straight stock, not a scant stock.

Great looking rifle. Can you tell me if the cut out for the barrel band spring is squared on the front or rounded?

Curious since I have the same rifle. What does the barrel band square or round mean ?

[Blockhead]

Curious since I have the same rifle. What does the barrel band square or round mean ?

It's one difference between a Smith Corona stock and a Remington stock. Be careful to look at the cut out in the wood, and not the band spring itself.

[jreifsch80]

mice mauser (technically it is haha)

[wctriumph]

That's a straight stock, not a scant stock.

Great looking rifle. Can you tell me if the cut out for the barrel band spring is squared on the front or rounded?

I have been reading the book pictured with the A3 and I will be stripping her down this weekend for a thorough cleaning and to see what is still original and what has been replaced. I am sure that there has been refurbishment at some point (or two) along the line. I will get her out to the range in another week or two and put some surplus Govt '06 through her. Now I need to save up and get a proper sling and bayonet.

[Blockhead]

I have been reading the book pictured with the A3 and I will be stripping her down this weekend for a thorough cleaning and to see what is still original and what has been replaced. I am sure that there has been refurbishment at some point (or two) along the line. I will get her out to the range in another week or two and put some surplus Govt '06 through her. Now I need to save up and get a proper sling and bayonet.

Either an M1905 or M1 bayonet would be correct for that rifle. I have some excellent USGI web slings if you need one ($15).

Do you see any rebuild marks on it? And what is the barrel marked? If you post pics of the bottom of your trigger housing I can tell you if it's SC.