Need help with 1903a3

[DoItRtOrNtAll]

So recently my brother in law has offered to sell me his 1903. Its been a safe queen since it was handed down from his father. He doesn't know much about it, and frankly other that the research I've been doing recently I don't know much ither.
My main question is does anyone know what it would be worth? I've seen them go from $600-$2000. The rifle is in great shape, has a lot of proof stamping in the stock, barrel is dated 12-43 (December 1943)

I'm just way to unfamiliar with all this to tell him what it's worth. As much as I would love to own it, I don't want to low ball him or pay $2000 for a rifle that would be a safe queen shot maybe once every six months.

Any help will be awesome! Thank you!

Will upload more images of stock, proof markings, barrel and action when I can figure out how to do more than one.

 

[wx7b]

Nice 03A3 on a table at a gun show - $750 - $850 here in East WA. Trade value a couple hundred less.

 

[Muley Gil]

If it is in good shape, with a good bore and wood, offer him $700.

 

[BigBill]

Check the bore and throat. Make sure the serial number matches the bolt.
Check the other parts for matching numbers. I think $750 is fair.

 

[Sargent Tom]

If it is in good shape, with a good bore and wood, offer him $700.

I agree, and if there are no holes drilled for a scope or aftermarket sights. I have several of these and they were really fun when ammo was cheap.

 

[Sargent Tom]

Oh!! I forgot to look at picture. It has NOT been drilled for scope and the wood I can see looks very nice. The metal looks nice too. I'll bet the bore is just as good.

 

[neorebel]

$around 700.00 is fair but it all depends on condition too. Is the bore bright and shiney? throat wear, bore wear, original stock not refinished with shellac, all parts matching and so on.

 

[DoItRtOrNtAll]

Thank you for all the info. Stock is in very nice shape, hasn't been drilled or tapped, or modified in anyway that I can tell. Will check the bore and chamber, but the exterior of the barrel is in good shape.

Here are the rest of the pictures of it I have.

 

[lebomm]

This rifle looks pretty kosher to me. It seems to have all the features consistent with a '43 03A3 (others more expert in Springfields, please don't hesitate to correct me), so I'll agree - $700-$800 is about right.

Larry

 

[Muley Gil]

BTW, is it a 2 groove or a 4 groove barrel? The '03A3 I had was a 2 groove and it was wonderfully accurate.

 

[jack the toad]

I've heard some that shunned the 2-groove barrel but in my limited experience, they shoot fine IMO. I'd much rather have a 2-groove that measures little TE/ME than a 4-groove with more wear.
From the serial number in the pic, according to my copy of US Martial Arms Guide, I think your Remington was made in 1942 with a total production of 1,084,079 various models of 1903's (1903, A3, A4) by Remington. While Smith-Corona produced 243,600 model 03-A3's during WW2. Remington and Smith-Corona were the manufacturers of the A3.
For shooting, I prefer the A3 due to the aperture rear sight. If numbers match and overall condition is acceptable, my guess is $600-$800 but I'm not an expert. It appears to be a run of the mill 03-A3 so condition and how it shoots would determine worth.
Since seller is BIL, you can likely test fire (if you haven't already) which to me is worth something when determining price.

 

[LVSteve]

BTW, is it a 2 groove or a 4 groove barrel? The '03A3 I had was a 2 groove and it was wonderfully accurate.

IIRC all the RA (Remington) marked barrels are 4-groove. The 2-groove barrels were made by Johnson Automatics and are marked JA.

 

[wx7b]

With the lime green original Parkerizing, I would add at least $100. Later refinishing was grey or black if I remember correctly. Original Frank J Atwood cartouche and inspection marks. Good!!

 

[Cyrano]

The two groove barrels for the Smith-Coronas were made by Hi Standard and are marked SC, not HS. Don't know about the Remington 03-A3s.

 

[Muley Gil]

IIRC all the RA (Remington) marked barrels are 4-groove. The 2-groove barrels were made by Johnson Automatics and are marked JA.

The Remington '03A3 I owned had a 7-43 RA barrel and it was a 2 groove.

 

[LVSteve]

The Remington '03A3 I owned had a 7-43 RA barrel and it was a 2 groove.

Yep, I had a brain fart on two counts. I was getting my 1903s crossed up with the 1917 refurbs with regard to JA barrels. Checking elsewhere I found that Remington made quite a lot of 2-groove barrels.

Rumour control has it that the Chilean Mauser 1912-61 rifles were converted from 7mm using left over 2-groove 1903A3 barrels. I wonder if those were Remington made.

 

[vonn]

Looks good to me but I am hooked on military rifles from that era. Shoot it and you run the risk of addiction!

 

[wetdog]

Here is a site that shows the difference of Remington and Smith-Corona parts. Vi Shooter's M1903 Page
The barrel and receiver look good. In the 3rd picture it looks like an arsenal code on the left side of the stock behind the wrist. Is that an OG ? That would be Ogden Arsenal. There were others that did arsenal refurbish. Not a big deal because most rifles went through this. The ones that didn't and are original are the ones that get big dollars.
There won't be serial numbers on parts. Most of Remington parts are marked with an R.