I recently acquired the 1903-A3 pictured below. It cost me nothing, so feel free to bemoan the fact that it's been sporterized.
I've done some research, but still have questions about what I should do with it - make it a woods shooter, or try to restore it to original standards (if possible).
In addition to a nicely finished -but ruined - original stock, it has a Remington 03-A3 action (8-43), a Smith-Corona barrel (8-43), 1903 milled trigger guard, a modified bolt handle, Lyman 48C receiver sight and a Lyman front sight. The parkerized finish is quite good. The trigger has either been worked to a nice crisp target feel - or replaced with an aftermarket trigger assembly (haven't taken it down to see, yet).
Question 1: Does the Lyman 48C receiver sight being D&T'd eliminate the possibility of the receiver ever being considered period correct?
Question 2: Does the Smith-Corona barrel eliminate the possibility of the rifle being period correct?
If if can be returned to a correct military significance without spending more than what it would be worth, I'm willing to do that and add it to my military collection. If not, I would like to make it into a woods beater and enjoy shooting it without any associated guilt. Any opinions welcomed:
The rifle is now at the gunsmith shop - I asked him to parkerize the bolt handle and jewel the bolt. I know the bolts weren't originally jeweled, but my initial thought was to restock it, remove the Lyman sights, D&T for quality scope mount, add a scope and make a deer rifle out of it.
Permission to Bubba, Sir?
Frank
I've done some research, but still have questions about what I should do with it - make it a woods shooter, or try to restore it to original standards (if possible).
In addition to a nicely finished -but ruined - original stock, it has a Remington 03-A3 action (8-43), a Smith-Corona barrel (8-43), 1903 milled trigger guard, a modified bolt handle, Lyman 48C receiver sight and a Lyman front sight. The parkerized finish is quite good. The trigger has either been worked to a nice crisp target feel - or replaced with an aftermarket trigger assembly (haven't taken it down to see, yet).
Question 1: Does the Lyman 48C receiver sight being D&T'd eliminate the possibility of the receiver ever being considered period correct?
Question 2: Does the Smith-Corona barrel eliminate the possibility of the rifle being period correct?
If if can be returned to a correct military significance without spending more than what it would be worth, I'm willing to do that and add it to my military collection. If not, I would like to make it into a woods beater and enjoy shooting it without any associated guilt. Any opinions welcomed:
The rifle is now at the gunsmith shop - I asked him to parkerize the bolt handle and jewel the bolt. I know the bolts weren't originally jeweled, but my initial thought was to restock it, remove the Lyman sights, D&T for quality scope mount, add a scope and make a deer rifle out of it.
Permission to Bubba, Sir?
Frank