Model 1903-A3 US rifle by Smith-Corona…………( f 531) SOLD

An excellent example of the US 03-A3 by The Smith-Corona Company

The last of the regular US service rifles in bolt-action configuration for the common soldier. Built by The Smith-Corona typewriter Company based in Syracuse, New York from 1942 on wards.  Virtually identical to Remingtons’ A3 all of the parts are fully interchangeable, the differences are the sort of thing that collectors spend their time studying. Chambered in the .30-06 government cartridge with a five shot internal magazine.  The 03-A3 has a Mauser style bolt with flag safety at the rear.  This rifle was a direct result of a drive to build the US service rifle as economically and quickly as possible.

Fully stocked in a modified “S-type” stock using the same American Walnut as the early rifles. There is no pistol grip just a straight grip stock with cartouches pressed in around the wrist.  The hand-guard is a long plain single piece which sits in a ring around the receiver and is secured by mid and front pressed steel bands.  Checkered but-plate with trap for cleaning equipment.  There are two sling swivels and a stacking hook.  All the stock fittings bar the rear sling swivel are of the pressed steel type as used on the Remington A3’s.  Unlike the Remington the majority of the parts are blued, not parkerised. The front nose-band incorporates the bayonet lug underneath.  The bolt arm stub is marked with a clear “3” and on the underside a clear central dot marking and an “R”.

The receiver is marked “U.S. / SMITH-CORONA / MODEL 03-A3 / 3707054”.  The only visible wear in on the sharpest of the high points and wear on the bolt.  The serial number puts production as July 1943.  This only relates to the receiver as the barrel, although a Smith-corona barrel is marked up as “S.C. / flaming bomb / 11-43″  One can only imagine that this one was a late assembly or in fact that it could have had its barrel changed soon after it was made, due to some imperfection in the component. Its serial number is also within 1000 of the end of the first block that Smith-Corona were required to complete.  The A3 was altered from the previous 03’s in the sighting in particular.  The ladder sights which were mounted on the breech end of the barrels were superseded by a more simple aperture sight mounted on the rear bridge of the action.  Placed within its own simple sight guard the aperture would slide up and down a ramp which was graduated from 200 to 800 yards.  This rear sight was also adjustable for windage from left to right by a single knurled adjuster on the RHS of the unit.  At the muzzle end the foresight is a simple blade fitment  marked “A”.

The stock is a medium colour encountered on the A3 and in very good condition, there are few if any noticeable marks associated with a tough life but the cartouches are clear.  In front of the trigger guard are four factory inspectors marks and behind is the large circled “P” final proof mark.  On the LHS of the wrist is a legible boxed “FJA” the crossed cannons and an “R.A” mark.  As mentioned earlier the condition of the blueing is excellent and shows little wear.  The action is fine and the 4-grove bore is excellent.  It seems unfired !  That’s a big claim, but I can not imagine what a better one could look like for its age.

This rifle could be described as “a sleeper” meaning in antique circles its been put away in a cupboard for a very long time.  I do hope nobody takes offence at the photographs. It is only an attempt at recreating an image we, who are interested in this kind of thing, should recognise.  And, a humble reminder of what it actually means to own one of these rifles in peacetime.  I view it as a privilege. (N.B. The rifle is photographed with other items for effect, the price stated is purely for the rifle without any other components.)

Stock No’  f  531

£ 1175…..SOLD

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