1903a3 Configuration

[Vbravo]

I hope this is the right place for this posting. Is there a reason that a Remington or Springfield 1903a3 would be Configured with a Smith-Corona barrel? If so, could you please fill me in. Any info would be great. Thanks for the info.

[smle-man]

There is no Springfield 03A3 but there is a Springfield 03 and 03A1. There is even an 03A2 but no 03A3. Anyway, the SC barrel could have been installed during an arsenal overhaul/rebuild/repair or installed by a gunsmith to replace a worn out barrel.

[SVT-40]

There is no Springfield 03A3 but there is a Springfield 03 and 03A1. There is even an 03A2 but no 03A3. Anyway, the SC barrel could have been installed during an arsenal overhaul/rebuild/repair or installed by a gunsmith to replace a worn out barrel.

Wrong, there was a Springfield 03-A3 as well as the 03-A4 sniper rifle. No such thing as a 03-A2.

The 03-A3's were made by both Remington as well as Smith Corona. Your SC barrel was probably a replacement. The difference between the 03 and the 03-A3 was mainly the use of many stamped and sheet metal parts on the A3 and A4 rifles verses milled parts on the original 03 and 03-A1 Springfield rifles.


Receiver markings of a Remington 03-A4 sniper. Yes the 03-A4 sniper rifles were marked 03-A3. The markings were however shifted to the side of the front receiver ring and placed "upside down" so they would not be covered by the scope base.

[gbackus]

Wrong, there was a Springfield 03-A3 as well as the 03-A4 sniper rifle. No such thing as a 03-A2.

I think what he meant was that there were no Springfield manufactured A3s/A4s.

[EOD Guy]

Wrong, there was a Springfield 03-A3 as well as the 03-A4 sniper rifle. No such thing as a 03-A2.

There certainly was such a thing as an M1903A2 rifle. It was mounted in an artillery piece to be used as a sub-caliber practice device.

The following is included in the link:
"Ten Oddball '03 Springfield Variations"

The missing link...
Model 1903A2 Rifle (Subcaliber Device)

Artillery, tank guns and anti-tank weapons training used very expensive ammunition and required extremely large ranges for obvious safety reasons. By using a "sub-caliber" device in the cannon to fire rifle caliber ammunition, training could be conducted on regular rifle ranges available at most Army posts. This was essentially a standard rifle action bolted into an adapter to fit into the cannon barrel. Around 1935-1940, an estimated 1,000 Model 1903 rifles had the stock assembly and front and rear sights removed, and the trigger staked in place, and were designated Rifle, Model 1903A2, to be kept specifically for sub-caliber use. Some were marked with the "A2" marking, but not all. By the end of WW2, the sub-caliber use was abandoned and most of the Model 1903A2 rifles were rebuilt into regular service rifles. Most collectors are familiar with the M1903A1 and M1903A3 rifles, but have never seen the M1903A2. Most were later rebuilt and issued as standard infantry rifles.

[smle-man]

Wrong, there was a Springfield 03-A3 as well as the 03-A4 sniper rifle. No such thing as a 03-A2.

The 03-A3's were made by both Remington as well as Smith Corona. Your SC barrel was probably a replacement. The difference between the 03 and the 03-A3 was mainly the use of many stamped and sheet metal parts on the A3 and A4 rifles verses milled parts on the original 03 and 03-A1 Springfield rifles.


Receiver markings of a Remington 03-A4 sniper. Yes the 03-A4 sniper rifles were marked 03-A3. The markings were however shifted to the side of the front receiver ring and placed "upside down" so they would not be covered by the scope base.

Nice rifle but not made by Springfield, thus not a 'Springfield' 03A4 but rather a Remington 03A4. All of the design work for the 03A3/4 came from Remington. Springfield Armory had nothing to do with it. The 03A2 is an artillery subcaliber device.

[jamesob]

well, i for one was unaware the springfield manufactured a 03a3. i'm just dieing to see one.

[SVT-40]

I used "Springfield" as you use "Garand" to describe the name it is commonly called not who manufactured it.

As I said "The 03-A3's were made by both Remington as well as Smith Corona". Not the Springfield armory.

[SVT-40]

I think what he meant was that there were no Springfield manufactured A3s/A4s.

Quite right there. I misunderstood his comments.

[kendog4570]

Beat me to it.

There certainly was such a thing as an M1903A2 rifle. It was mounted in an artillery piece to be used as a sub-caliber practice device.

The following is included in the link:
"Ten Oddball '03 Springfield Variations"

[gunboat]

What is the answer to the OP's original question?

[smle-man]

The barrel was replaced during an arsenal overhaul or after it was obtained by a private party. Replacement barrels were used in service without regard to original manufacturer so if a rifle needed a barrel whatever came to hand from the parts bin went onto the rifle.