Remington 1903 Springfield (Modified)

[MRBESQ]

So, while trying to stay sane during the pandemic, I have been searching for my unicorns. One of which is a 1903 Springfield. I already have a 1903a3, but it needed company.

So I bought a Remington 1903 Springfield on GunBroker which had been spoterized.

But other than the stock being cut, it was unmolested.

Anyway, it is a Remington 1903 Springfield (modified) built in January 1943. It has the green/grey Remington parkerizing on the barrel and receiver, trigger guard and bands. I think the receiver/barrel and small parts are all original.

I found a Remington 1903 stock, and am looking for original stock parts, but am not sure about milled vs. stamped, blued vs. parkerized.

I have read throughout the interwebs that the 1903 modified used whatever was on hand, and either are "correct".

Any insight anyone can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks.

FYI, I joined CMP Forum to ask this very question, but 2 weeks later, am still waiting on mods to approve me.

[Jarhead]

I believe stamped is correct for 1903A3

[TMD]

The finish on the Modified 03 should be a mix of parkerized and blued. Barrel, bolt and receiver were parkerized and the other small parts were blued except for springs (unfinished). Some of the CMP Greek return 03's have a darker black finish over the parkerized parts but I'm not sure what exactly it is.

As far as milled vs stamped parts go, a early 1943 production rifle would be very close to when they officially cut over to the 03A3 so I would think it would have mostly stamped parts. That said, a lot of these went through rebuilds after the war and had stamped parts replaced with NOS milled ones so either would be "correct" unless you're going for the as-issued configuration.

[highpower]

January '43 is very late for a Remington 1903 and I would imagine that nearly all of the bands along with the trigger guard and buttplate would be stamped. Remember that by then they were two months into '03-A3 production and a '03 produced would more than likely have been a parts cleanup rifle and any milled parts on it would have come from the very back of the parts bin. All current production by January 1943 would have been stamped. I am not sure if by that date if the stock would be a true '03 stock or a '03-A3 but I would think that a 'A3 stock would probably be correct enough.

I have a Remington 1903 that has a barrel date of 09/42 and it still has all milled components, but that was right around the time that stamped parts were being introduced. As you may know Remington stamped all the small parts with a "R" so it is quite easy to identify Remington bands, bolts and other small parts.

[MRBESQ]

Wow, great input. Thanks! It appears that neither milled or stamped, blued or parked are "correct" and there is no way to know how it was issued.

So I think I may go all milled.

[MRBESQ]

Post Update with Pics!

So I thought this string would benefit from some pics.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/H72SxH9

About half the parts I can see were marked with "R"s. I need to tear it down, and clean off all the cosmoline.

But it appears I have a mixmaster, that is in good shape, with a great bore.

Not sure what I think about all the non Remington parts.

I assume it got arsenal refinished and rebuilt at some point.

Its gonna get shot, so I don't know it has to be perfect.