03-A3 Ethical Dilemma, Shoot or Not?

[TIMETRIPPER]

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

 

[Krogen]

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.

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!

 

[cruiserdan]

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

 

[GypsmJim]

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.

 

[wetdog]

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.

 

[ron 57]

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!

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!

 

[max503]

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.

 

[cruiserdan]

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

 

[Sistema1927]

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

 

[LostintheOzone]

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.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Shoot it. I would, for sure. I had a super nice 03 (not A3) years ago, as nice as you'll find. I shot it with proper NM ammo. One of my greatest gun trade regrets is letting that one get away.

 

[alwslate]

The problem is that when it comes to guns and the direction our country seems to be taking preserving them for generations down the road may be impossible. Once you're gone you have no control over what happens to the guns you were proud to never fire. Some of your descendants may be proud that your gun was still unfired when it was welded up with many others into a monument of protest against "gun violence".

 

[glenwolde]

If you're really not a collector then it's shoot it or sell it. Otherwise you are a collector and we'll need to have an intervention.

 

[Frailer]

I don’t have much patience for people who feel compelled to tell other people what they should or should not do with their guns. I shoot *almost* all of mine, but I do own a few that a purchased solely because of their significance to me. I wanted to own, handle, admire, and study them; desire to shoot them wasn’t the appeal.

It is *your* gun. But since you asked for input, and you expressed a desire to shoot it, I vote for “shoot it.”

 

[cruiserdan]

Decades ago I attended a car show where a well worn T-Bucket participated. There was a hand-lettered cardboard sign taped to the back of the vehicle. It stated "Build them to drive or buy furniture".
This one goes out whenever I can manage an excuse.

 

[cruiserdan]

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.

The punch is a proof mark. The lack of a punch suggests a replacement barrel. This barrel is on a CMP auction 03A4 rifle from many years ago .

 

[30-30remchester]

I believe all the replies from the knowledgeable members here answers the question. The rifle is not new, in fact it was heavily used and required a new barrel and stock and re-parkerization before being packed up and put into storage then sold as surplus. Shooting it will not de-value it. It is however a very clean rifle These sold to NRA members in the 1960's for $29.95 IIRC. In my little town of 3,000 people, I know of 6 of these bought in similar condition. However, they didn't keep them looking new. I bought 2 of them and eventually sold them off. Neat piece of US military history.

I am doing research on a friends Remington 1903-A3 that has no rebuild markings, which is quite un-common. The unusual thing about this rifle is, it has milled floorplate, barrel bands, end cap and butt plate. I am assuming it was not produced this way and was instead put together post war by someone who appreciated milled steel parts over the stamped steel parts common on A-3's.

 

[Photog]

Didn't read all the posts, so will give what I think. In my case, I am selling quite a bit of my collection. I am in my late 60's and just not able to get out and do a lot of shooting due my my wife's medical condition. We average 5-7 medical appointments per week. I am the youngest of two children, and my brother is not that big of a shooter. My two daughters have some interest in shooting, but as they both got older, mid 30's to late 30's, family take a lot of time away from them.. So that leaves me with what I would do. If it were mine, I would have the following options; shoot it and enjoy it. It is not one of a kind or, actually, very rare; I could save it, not shoot it, put in my gunsafe and hope that when I am gone the kids don't just take it down to see "Rick" at the local pawnshop and let him pay them a few hundred dollars because "that is the best I can do, I have to make money."; I could sell it and use that money to make memories...at this stage in life, memories are worth ten times what material goods are, at least to me.; The guns I still have, are what I enjoy shooting. Have really gotten into single shot 45-70 rifles, up to six now and looking for a nice replica 1886 Winchester so I have at least 1 lever action. I guess my point is, that if you want to keep it pristine and pass it on to an heir, well that is great. If you want to shoot it and enjoy it, that would get my vote. Several years ago, I bought a March 1957 M29 (pre29) that was new in the case. A gent had purchased it when new and thought it was just too pretty to shoot. I promptly took it out and shot it a lot, carried while camping and hunting, and also while hiking. Ended up with some blue wear from the holsters I carried it in. About 2 years ago I contacted a friend who had expressed interest in it. Not only did I get the enjoyment of shooting it, but ended up getting almost 3 times what I paid for it. Again, the decision is up to you, just don't want you to regret not using a piece of history.

 

[Inland7-45]

I have an 03-A3 that also went through an arsenal rebuild. The previous owner fired it very little. The 03-A3 can be seen a lot in photos from the Italian campaign along with 03s.

I shoot mine with a 147 grain boat tail with a full charge of H 4895 and mostly PPU brass. I also have some GI match brass from the 60s but use mostly PPU now. Recoil is sharper than an M 1 but not too bad. These are fun rifles to shoot and they have a lot of history behind them. I handle mine carefully just like it was an old S&W.

There is no reason not to shoot yours.

Enjoy