I never thought I'd be in this boat. I shoot my collector's items. No safe queens. I probably drive collectors nuts, but it's what I do.

However . . . .

I picked up an 03-A3 manufactured by Remington in 1942. It is as pristine as any I've seen. Likely un-fired. Probably un-issued. The parkerizing is unworn, even the bolt face is unmarked. Parts are marked R where appropriate. The bore is perfect. I figure it's not a rebuild, because if it is, it's the best job I've ever seen.

It's an 82 year old time capsule. My dilemma is that I want to shoot it, but I also respect the piece of history it is. It conjures up all sorts of mental images of the Remington factory sending these off to our solders fighting for us. This rifle is as it sat on the rack before going in harms way.

I am in a jam. What would you do? What would you do? I'm not going to sell it. So shoot it? Or find another one for a shooter?

Attached Images

	IMG_3313.jpg (79.2 KB, 497 views)
	IMG_3314.jpg (66.9 KB, 506 views)
	IMG_3315.jpg (108.7 KB, 501 views)

I would shoot it as I will not own a gun that I do not shoot. That said, sell it for more than you have paid for it and buy a couple of shooters.

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I say shoot it- While it’s a great 03A3, it isn’t like it’s an unissued, orig high-hump handguard 03 from the pre-WW1 era.

__________________
Some Might Say.

Sell it and buy one thats as nice but a shooter. There are collectors who buy minty guns just for the pleasure of owning. I have a very nice
Krag rifle that was in cosmoline when I bought it and I haven't shot it either. But I have a couple other nice Krags that I shoot.

Where’s the pic of the upper hand guard???

Keep that one as it is. This gives you a reason to go buy another gun.

I am an old guy which may factor in this, I probably would not shoot it although it wouldn’t do any harm except leave some marks where the bolt runs or the sight slides. Problem I would have is trying to get it cleaned to the state it is now after it had been fired. Tha act of firing an 03-a3 is the same with a shooter grade as with that rifle but like I said I’m an old

The color of that finish is that of an original, a refinish would not be that color.

I thought "O.G." was an Arsenal Rebuild mark?

__________________
Watch & Pray

That’s quite a dilemma. That rifle is a piece of important history. If you are confident that it is not a high quality re-build, I would keep it just the way it is now. Part of my reasoning is that every time I take a firearm to the range, I feel that I am taking a risk - however small - of an irreparable accident. Same with cleaning a rifle.

I’m wrestling with the same problem regarding a Ruger No. 1 chambered in .30-30 that I got late last year. When I bid on it I knew it was a limited edition and very clean. I did not know it was 1 of only 248 ever made and unfired.



I want to shoot it! But the collector in me says that’s just silly. If it had the historical significance of your 03-A3, it would be easier to keep as a safe Queen. YMMV and forgive me if this seems like a hijacking.

Or you could send it to me. I’d be happy to shoot it and break it in for you, and you wouldn’t feel guilty about it��. Seriously, shoot the darn thing. That’s what it was made for. As long as you don’t abuse it you’ll not hurt it. I wouldn’t own a gun I couldn’t shoot, but that’s me. If you don’t, you’re just saving it so somebody else will get to enjoy it��

Truly mint condition collectibles are always worth a seemingly disproportionate amount compared to even slightly imperfect examples.
Doesn't matter if it's coins, stamps, Cracker Jack prizes, or Barbie dolls.
Even a box of ammo through that, if it's as nice as you say, will mess up the bolt face (as far as a collector is concerned.)

If you had one that was almost as nice, but not mint, do you think your shooting experience between the two would be different enough to reflect the difference in value?
Say, as a guess, your mint one could fetch $4,000. Would it shoot any better than a clean rebuild with correct stock/hardware and new barrel that might be worth $1,000-1,500?

I would keep that mint one untouched and just shoot the shooters. Or, I'd sell the mint one for as much as I could get to a real collector, then go on a shooter-grade shopping spree!
There are people out there just looking to park there money into anything that's not going to depreciate. Go ahead and take their money!

In any case, it's a wonderful dilemma you've got there!
Cheers and Happy New Year!

Beautiful Remington 03-A3!

It’s most likely been through a rebuild. OG would indicate an Ogden Arsenal rebuild.

Man I’d shoot it!

I guess I would offer up that you cannot definitely state it’s never been shot. (I suspect.). As such, 1-50 or so is certainly not going to hurt it. It’s in amazing shape. If your plan was to start shooting matches, I would say no. But just to “see how it does”, why not.

I would not shoot it. I won’t suggest that you sell it, you already said you have no intention of selling it.

I’d absolutely preserve it.

That's a nice Ruger No. 1!
The Ruger No. 1 might well be the last heirloom quality rifle being offered by a major American manufacturer. The market for collectible or rare variations is very strong. I think I'd be tempted to keep that one unfired and then buy, say, a shooter grade No. 3 in 30-40 Krag and then put some No. 1 wood on it.
Or, maybe find a shooter No. 1 in 303 British!

You guys have such terrible problems to contend with!

Even if it's a rebuild, I probably wouldn't shoot it. I appreciate the time capsule aspect and would probably appreciate holding and admiring it as much as shooting it.

Even if it's a rebuild, it's an unfired example of that point in time.

Whatever it's status, unfired or rebuild, it looks pristine perfect. One shot and it's not.

I understand your dilemma in a slightly different way. Not that I don't want to own a gun I can't shoot - but I don't want to be responsible for keeping such a pristine gun in that condition.

__________________
Just Say No - To Social Media

It’s been arsenal rebuilt as others have noted. It’s in fine shape. I would shoot and enjoy it for sure.

If you don't, eventually someone else will!

I would guess a rebuild would show evidence of prior use, likely extensive, so for this one I vote original.

I'd keep this one as is and find a nice used 1903-A3 to satisfy your shooting curiosity.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Very nice rebuilt rifle. "Scant" stock, with rebuild stamp. Bolt should be blue, not parked. Shooting will not hurt value as long as you don't beat it up. Even rebuilds bring at least 1K in S/E Pa.
Enjoy shooting it, just treat it nice.

You can't take it with you; shoot it.

I'm almost certain that Remington 03-A3s came with straight stocks from the factory.

I have a scant stock for mine to which I should transfer the action one day. that way people will stop asking "Did you HAVE to carve the last four of your SSN into the stock that big?" A former owner committed that sin.

__________________
Release the Kraken

Shoot the gun and revel in its history. The chance of ever seeing one of those truly unfired is minuscule and as noted, your gun has a rebuild stamp.

__________________
S&W factory revolver armorer

You're never gonna sell it anyway, shoot it and enjoy your rifle!

__________________
Life Member GOA and NRA

As others have said, it's a nice condition rebuild. The OG stamp and the lack of any other cartouche indicates a post-WWII refurbishment at the Ogden Arsenal. It was likely restocked at that time.

Thanks, everybody! This rifle is in such good shape that I figured it wasn't a rebuild. I wonder what they did during the rebuild? The barrel is dated 2-42 which is consistent with the receiver serial number. I see nothing but R stamped parts. I don't see any wear on the receiver rails. Could it be that it was just re-stocked? As mentioned above, Remingtons generally had straight stocks and this one doesn't.

Regardless, I think I'll go ahead and shoot this one. A piece of history, yes; and it will remain so whether I fire it or not. I'm not into safe queens. When others have questioned: fire or not? I've quoted Carroll Shelby who said "these cars are meant to be driven." I should follow my own advice. I drive my Shelby and I will fire my new 03-A3.

The Army will routinely send Lots of rifles in for refurb. they didn't sort through the worn ones or pristine ones; it was this battalion has had those rifles this long. Turn them in and draw fresh refurbs. They didn't worry about matching original parts; they put them together to specs. There are a lot of pristine rebuilt 03-A3's as they were not a widespread front line issue. Notice I said not widespread as they were a frontline weapon in the Pacific by especially the USMC.

I was in the Army and did my share of "Details" at the weapons pool.

Nice rifle! As others have mentioned, the bolt finish indicates a rebuild. The only mark I see on the stock is the Ogden Arsenal rebuild mark, which tells me it was either refinished or replaced. I'd shoot that one!

After the war, guns (including some that were unissued) were sent to various arsenals for inspection and rebuild. If the gun didn't require a rebuild, it was stamped and put into inventory. Elmer Keith talked about this and he was an inspector at Ogden.

I have an 03A3 that was unissued and passed through Ogden Arsenal. Note the finishes and the original stock markings. Photobucket trashed my posted images, but if you click on them you can view the unaltered photos. Use the back button to return to the thread.

US Remington 03A3 - Time Capsule Find

__________________
"I also cook."

I'm in the same situation. Several years ago I bought a standard straight stock Remington 03-A3 with a few small dings in the stock for $400 from a LGS. After I got it home and took a good look at it I realized that it appeared to be truly new and unfired from 1943 and with a four groove barrel. No rebuild marks on the stock anywhere. I figured someone inherited it and traded in for something they wanted or just sold it to the clueless shop owner. Sell, shoot or just keep it. I really like it so I decided to keep it and shoot it although I haven't done so yet. We only go around once in life so why leave it for someone else to enjoy?

I say shoot it. I have the one my Dad got from Red River Arsenal in 1960. He wanted the kind of rifle he had in basic, back in 1942. It was the first centerfire gun that I ever shot. Be real about value. What few bucks your rifle may devalue, if any, will not be missed by the enjoyment of shooting it. Shooting a gun does not defile it. Especially a milsurp. It's not like your going to drag it all over Guadalcanal.

__________________
Wayne
Torn & Frayed

If you intend to buy nice art, buy art.
If you like to shoot, buy guns.
If you like to shoot nice guns, buy nice guns.

Go ahead, I won’t tell anyone.

__________________
213th FBINA

I have seen dozens of such 1903's. After the war these, M1 carbines and M1 garands and 1903's went in for a rebuild. New stocks in nearly every instance, new barrels if needed, and re-parkerization. What most think are new un-fired are just arsenal re-builds. I have owned a half dozen of these over the years in this condition. The thing with the 1903's is they were never re-issued and then sold off, while the M1 carbines and Garands went on to fight in Korea and Vietnam.

Think of all the fun you'll miss if you don't.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will respond but something is off with the dating of the OP’s rifle. The first delivery of 03-a3’s wasn’t until December, 1942. Production of 03 modified rifles continued alongside but at reduced numbers until the spring of ‘43. I can’t quite make out the serial number on the receiver but it almost looks like it begins with the number 4. If so, that would denote later ‘43 or early ‘44 production. The rifle may have been rebarreled with an earlier barrel during overhaul. Is it possible the 2-42 barrel date could be 12-42 with a poorly struck 1?
At any rate a fine rifle and I hope you enjoy shooting it.

Edit> This answer is late to the party.
The stock stamp OG indicates that is an Ogden Arsenal re-build. Shoot away.

Attached Images

Screenshot 2024-01-05 at 09-20-17 Stock Rebuilding Marks.jpg (22.8 KB, 13 views)

I am seeing a dent on the stock, I would shoot it.
Seriously, what are the chances of finding a collector of 03-A3s that would pay a significant premium for a rifle that may be unfired?

This for sure. If YOU aren’t going to sell it, then shoot it and enjoy it. (If you were selling it that’d be different, but you’ve stated that you’re not). If you stick it in the safe and never shoot it, someday your heirs will wind up with it (who may or may not shoot it)🙄. Use it and enjoy it. You bought it, get some fun out of it👍

Unfired and all orignal? Is it rare? Is it valuable? I have no idea about these rifles.
No way I'd shoot it, they're only unfired once plus if something breaks, now it's no longer all original. Too many other guns to shoot to get your jollies imo.
You have to overcome the urge to shoot every single gun in your collection, but then, some only have a collection of guns too.
If it's a delimma to you, then it sounds like you're more of a collector than shooter like me.

__________________
Dave Ramsey Cultist

I’ll let you shoot mine - the only difference is it’s stainless and it’s been fired. Other than knowing it’s a limited run for Lipseys, I don’t know how many were made. Don’t care.

Attached Images

4A2CD036-42FA-4265-B73D-FCD9E554497C.jpg (94.1 KB, 13 views)

__________________
213th FBINA

My cousin Bubba says ya'll should cut er down an put a nice Bushnell scope on it, or maybe a Tasco.
$50 and he will do er up fer ya next Saturday morning. And he will even leave the bayonet mount on it, comes in handy fer hog stickin'.

All jest aside. It's a nice one but I think a few rounds through it won't hurt it or ruin the value.

John

Great catch, ron 57. I added some photos. The barrel date is 2-43, maybe 12-43 but the possible "1" looks like a tooling mark to me. Serial number is 4175040 which I thought was 1942. Seems the various serial number tables on the 'net don't agree. I'm interested in your thoughts on the date and serial number.

In addition to the OG mark as already mentioned, there's a P behind the trigger guard. No other marks on the stock.

You all have convinced me to shoot it. Despite being in nice shape, it's nothing spectacular. That it's a rebuild is a slight relief actually, since I don't want to own an "unshootable." I like the idea of shooting a fresh rebuild as opposed to a beat-to-death original in dire need of a rebuild.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to my history lesson. All of you are why this forum is great!

Attached Images

	IMG_3316.jpg (90.6 KB, 149 views)
	IMG_3317.jpg (107.3 KB, 149 views)
	IMG_3318.jpg (61.3 KB, 148 views)
	IMG_3319.jpg (77.7 KB, 148 views)
	IMG_3320.jpg (107.7 KB, 150 views)

I suspect it is a lightly struck 12-43.

This chart suggests that it is a 1944 gun.

1903 and 1903A3 Production and Serial No table. - Remington Society of America

There's an old story about an old guy that bought a NIB Registered magnum, a 1953 undriven Corvette with 3 miles on the odometer and then married a beautiful young girl.

Then he died. The wife inherited everything and soon after married a young man her age.

The second husband was a car and S&W aficionado and immediately did donuts with the car on the way to the range where he blasted several boxes of .357's away.

If the goal is an investment, you would have to wait a few years and then sell it. If the goal is to look at it, then you have succeeded. But, if the goal is to save an artifact it ain't gonna happen because whomever owns it after you will use it and take poor care of it.

If you shoot it you will be a happy camper every time at the range.

I was told by an appraiser the if the barrel has a punch mark on the flaming bomb it was replaced. He was evaluating my Smith Corona 1903a3.Mine had no punch mark and was considered original.

Your rifle was likely produced in January of ‘44 and other rifles made around then show late ‘43 barrel dates. As cruiserdan pointed out, your barrel is dated 12/43 with a lightly stamped “1”.
Another thing that would indicate a rebuild is the lack of cartouches on the stock. It would have had a stamped FJA and an ordnance wheel indicating government acceptance. They were sanded off the stock on your rifle.
No reason to not shoot it, but be prepared for more recoil than a M-1. Enjoy!

Not only would I shoot that, I would hunt with it. I killed one of my first coyotes with an '06. It was the first one I ever successfully called in.

I've hunted with an 03A4 topped by a Lyman Alaskan.

I would shoot it, but that's me, not you.

__________________
Only a cold warrior

That's a beautiful war relic. I don't collect firearms in the true sense of the definition because I have some relics that I shoot. My main purpose of buying firearms is to shoot. That's where the enjoyment is for me.

I do have one I'll never shoot however. It's USGI surplus 1911 that was crated up in the 70's or 80's by the Army. Just as yours probably was after WW2. No need to shoot those. Someone somewhere will want that pristine relic in the future. You may not see any monetary benefit in your lifetime but like you say it's a time capsule that will be appreciated for future collectors.

Sometimes we come across things that need to be preserved. I have a surveyors transit that was made in 1911 in absolute original good condition. That's going to a museum somewhere soon. Take care of that stuff for generations down the road. You're the keeper for now.

__________________
That's just somebody talkin.