Help Identifying M1903-A3 Variant?

[Orochium]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I think I've finally got a fix on what all this gun is put together from, and for all intents and purposes it looks like it will serve me pretty well.

It looks to be a P-Stamped Barrel on a Smith-Corona M1903-A3 Action, the stock is made by a company called Fajen and I can't seem to find the replacement plastic for the Fajen stock, but its not a big deal.

And thanks Rabbit, I will do just that! Learned a lot about the M1903's in the last couple of days!

Rondog, what's your take on the milsurp's sporterized, you said you weren't a fan, is there a particular reason?

[MadRabbit]

A lot of people don't like the sporterized conversions because those rifles aren't nearly as prolific as they once were. Sporterizing them now is really just a good way to destroy a collectible firearm from a very important part of our history. Personally I tend to agree, an original military rifle from any era "speaks" to me a lot more than somebody's deer rifle, but that's just my opinion. Something I meant to mention earlier is that "P" stamp on the barrel, I'd have to do some serious digging to be certain, but I believe that simply indicates that the barrel has been proofed (basically, fired with higher than normal pressure cartridges at the factory to ensure it won't fail when fielded).

[rondog]

Rondog, what's your take on the milsurp's sporterized, you said you weren't a fan, is there a particular reason?

Pretty much like MadRabbit said. Sporterized isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just makes me sad that a service rifle has been modified is all. Much like classic cars that were cut up for use as stock cars or dragsters, or classic Harleys that were butchered into choppers. I'm from the era where $500 Harley Panheads and old Police Harleys were common and people made choppers out of 'em to "improve" them. Once you become a "collector" of things, it can apall you to think of the things that you and others did in your youth.

"Oooooweeee, Bubba! Hold my beer and gimme dat torch, Ima gonna hack this off so it'll go better!" Yeah, I've been there.

[10x]

It looks like a nicely done sporter of the 1950s, given the scope mount and scope.

I wouldn't worry about it's military ancestory, it is not a collectors item, now.

You need to get that rifle out to the range and report back how well it shoots. I would guess that it will be a very good game rifle.

Fajen no longer exists. They used to be in Missouri, I believe, and supplied all kinds of replacement stock for all kinds of guns. It is a good stock.

[StagLefty]

Fajen no longer exists. They used to be in Missouri, I believe, and supplied all kinds of replacement stock for all kinds of guns. It is a good stock.

WOW Fajen is gone ? They were THE stock company years ago !!

[ColoEnthusiast]

IMO I think who sporterized it is important. My 1903 was sporterized by the old man who used it in WWII. I have no intention of putting it back to original. There is almost no bluing left on it, yet the bore is beautiful. I am considering refinishing the stock and probably duracoating it black or parkerizing it. Why not make it look it's best and preserve it?
Conversely, if it were all original from the man who used it in war, I would leave it original. As far as I'm concerned, the rifle has a story to tell.