U.S. M1903-A3 Smith-Corona Rifle…………..(f 781) SOLD

Extremely Fine WW2 03-A3 by Smith-Corona

One of those excellent moment when a rifle comes back to you after some years away.  I always make it clear I will buy back rifles I have imported reason being they are so good and I know them ( Big -Head !!)  Seriously this is one of those specific occasions, this rifle is in superb condition – and its interesting.  Almost if first issued recently it has survived in fantastic condition, and it has a four grove bore where A3s’ are usually only two grove.

In fine manufactures government specification.  Chambered in .30-06 calibre.  Mauser style action with internal five-shot clip fed magazine.  Serial number 4832311.  Records indicate manufacture would be December 1943.  The date on the barrel is 11-43.  The full stamping reading; “S. C. / flaming bomb motif / 11-43.”  So it is reasonable to believe that the rifle retains its original barrel.

The change in build from the earlier M1903 pattern was a result of war expediency.  The 03-A3 was a redesign incorporating a change in sight geometry and a reduction in costs of components used to build the rifle.  Cast, milled and machined items of furniture were replaced by newly designed and built components which benefited from the advances in folding and stamping technology within the steel manufacturing industry.  Most noticeable are the trigger guard and magazine assembly which have become one item.  Barrel bands, sling swivels and fore-end cap, stacking hook and bayonet lug are all now produced through these methods.  The stock has become simplified and less prone to handling damage with a single piece hand-guard.  The stock cross bolts are now hardened steel pins.

Modern warfare was changing rapidly and the range requirements of the regular infantry rifle were vastly reduced.  To this end it had become apparent that the old practice of rifle volley and extreme long range marksmanship were fast becoming redundant.  Therefor the army and the powers that be redesigned the rear sight to a far easier to use instrument.  A new ramp aperture sight was developed which incorporated a simple windage adjustment.  By also moving the sight base to the rear of the action they had increased the relative geometry of the two points of aim, thus improving the accuracy of the equation.  I often have reports back from the rang on how easy and accurate the A3 is.  Sometimes they shoot high at close range but that is an issue with the front blade sight and its height.

The rifle measures43.1/4″ in overall length.  The round blued barrel is a nominal 24.” The trigger pull to center is a standard 13.”  Chequered blued steel butt-plate with trap for cleaning equipment – empty.  (Should be the yellow plastic bottle for oil and pull through.) The stock is correctly marked with final proof “P” circled behind the trigger guard.  On the RHS of the wrist is a boxed inspectors mark.  Just in front of the floorplate assembly are the four internal factory inspectors marks from the stock makers.  The rifle is fitted with a sprung front sight protector which is marked with the original design drawing number “C64157-4.”

The bore, as mentioned above is an unusual 4-grove fitting which can only improve accuracy,  The is no sign of pitting or corrosion.  This should prove an accurate rifle.  Also fitted with a contemporary leather sling, marked “3 – 81” which could be a manufacture date or batch number, but unknown.

A chance to get hold of a piece of genuine World War Two American military history which has not suffered at the hands of any enthusiastic restorers.

Stock No’  f 781

£ 1275.  SOLD

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