A little 1903-A3 portrait

[forward observer]

I recently posted this on another forum, but thought some here might enjoy it.

Here's my 1903-A3 (1942 production) in close to mint condition with very clear inspector's cartouches in the stock--- along with some appropriate period web gear, helmet and high top shoes. The cartridge web belt is the early model that still has divider snap tabs to hold two 5 round stripper clips. this was eliminated in later belts for the 8 round Garand clips.




Cheers

 

[Outlaw Man]

Very nice! It's not a true collector piece until you have all those accouterments. How long did it take to pull all of that together?

 

[forward observer]

Very nice! It's not a true collector piece until you have all those accouterments. How long did it take to pull all of that together?

Thanks! I started picking up pieces of WW 2 or earlier web gear when I was a kid so my buddies and I could play army. It was dirt cheap in the local Army/Navy stores back then. That would have been in the mid 50's.

I can remember them having the 1903 bayonets--both full length and the later armory cut downs in wooden barrels for maybe $2 or $3 apiece. Wish I had bought couple of barrels of them now.

Then I just started collecting--looking for different dates and makers--kind of like one would with coins or stamps.

I've actually got a complete set of gear that a GI would have waded ashore on D-day with uniform, boots, packs, personal gear and of course a Garand. All the web-gear is unissued and dated 1943 or 44.

I quit collecting in the 80's and sold most of my stuff off except the few items that go with the Springfield and the Garand.

That overcoat is still mint and it used to fit me perfectly. When I got it out of the cedar chest for the picture, I tried it on for the first time in 25 years. Who would have thought that cedar would make a coat shrink by at least two sizes.

 

[USSR]

Nice, but too bad about the "scant" stock.

Don

 

[Reloadron]

Really a nice presentation, thanks for posting it. My Remington also has the scant stock, none the less still enjoyable to shoot.

Ron

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Thats beautiful, I've got a new picture now, thanks!

 

[forward observer]

This is one of the later scant stocks that was correctly inletted for the 03-A3.

It's a really nice piece of walnut with crisp cartouches, so I'm happy with it.

Cheers

 

[tark]

What a magnificent presentation! All period correct and high conditioned. Be proud , you should be.

Me, I'm just envious.

 

[Reloadron]

What is that helmet? Got me curious.

Ron

 

[ID-shooting]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't an A3 be WWII production? Isn't the "Dough Boy" helmet WWI?

 

[kBob]

Right up through Pearl Harbor and into 1942 one could still find active units wearing the pie tin helmet.

Reserves National Guard and support troops would wear WWI ish stuff quite late.

Yes the A3 is WWII. Some folks have argued that the A3s never went anywhere but their are photos of them in Both Europe and the Pacific. Certainly even earlier models of the 03 were used in WWII. No less than William Darby of the 1st Rangers carried one of the earlier models in combat. At least one regiment went ashore on D-day with Springfield Rifles.

I have had both an A3 and an older model and I like the A3 better despite the stamped parts. The most accurate Surplus rifle I ever owned was an A3. With a bunch of Winchester M2 made for the Dominican Republic it would shoot into an inch regularly with the occasional 3/4 inch at 100 yards.

-kBob

 

[bannockburn]

forward observer

Great display! Looks like it could be on display in a museum. Thanks for sharing.

 

[AlexanderA]

Isn't the "Dough Boy" helmet WWI?

The helmet pictured is an M1917A1 (you can tell because of the web chin strap, compared to the leather chin strap of the original M1917). The M1917A1 helmet was standardized in 1939. The shell looks the same as the WW1 helmet, but the insides are completely different.

 

[forward observer]

The helmet pictured is an M1917A1 (you can tell because of the web chin strap, compared to the leather chin strap of the original M1917). The M1917A1 helmet was standardized in 1939. The shell looks the same as the WW1 helmet, but the insides are completely different.

Correct. The M1917 was simply a copy of the British Mark I created in 1916. The liners in the original WW I models tended to degrade over the years, so complete originals are scarce.

However, the post war versions used up until 1942 had a more substantial steel reinforced leather liner with the webbed chin strap, and tend to be in better shape. By WW II, the British also updated their helmet to the Mark II, which has a rubberized liner.

Everything is the picture would have been in use in 1942 except the two manuals, which are dated 1943.

If you ever watch a period newsreel or movie about Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, or Bataan you won't see a single M1 helmet since they were only introduced in 1942.

Cheers

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[stressed]

Cool. I wasn't aware of the issue history. Didn't most of the 1903's in WWII go to the Navy?

 

[czhen]

Forward Observer
Thanks for sharing your collection.

Henry
FL

 

[rogdigity]

Very nice. Reminds me of one I had years back. If you watch the movie saving private Ryan you'll see the sniper carry and use an 03-a4. Mine was an 03-a3 which had been "bubba-verted" to an a4. They did a decent job but the scope was slightly cocked to one side. Don't know if they were supposed to be like that or not though but it clearly wasn't a GI mount. Scope was correct though.

I really liked it but later traded it for an Russian capture SS Mauser.

Unfortunately my ex wife was too lame to work. When I was laid off in 2010 I sold most of my collection :-/

 

[tark]

Does it have a two groove barrel? I have owned a couple of 03-A3s , a Smith-Corona and a Remington; both had two groove barrels, and both could shoot 100yrd groups you could cover with a half dollar coin.

Two groove barrels shoot just fine.....

 

[tark]

Although yours looks so fine, I don't think I would shoot it much at all.

 

[elwoodm]

realllllly nice collection my A3 1942 remington has the front sight blade for 200 yrds wish i had the tall one for 100 yrds. one thing on the picture pull the trigger to let it striker down. don't want to weaken the spring any.

 

[USSR]

I have owned a couple of 03-A3s , a Smith-Corona and a Remington; both had two groove barrels

Smith-Corona's never had 2 groove barrels, it was a Remington thing. Smith-Corona barrels were made by the broach method by High Standard and were 4 groove, although some of the early ones were 6 groove.

Don

 

[Wildbillz]

Very cool shot. I hope you don't mind if I use it as my desktop?

Thanks
WB

 

[desidog]

Two groove barrels shoot just fine.....

...as long as you're not using BT bullets.

 

[rogdigity]

What do BT bullets do in 2 groove barrels??

Sorry for my ignorance but I've never heard of this. Mine was definitely 4 groove though.