Smith Corona 1903A3 Serial # Question

[lencac]

Hi Guys:
I have this SC 03A3 with a scope mount installed. The mount is covering the majority of the serial number. Only the bottom portion of the number is visible. I trying to figure out what the serial number is without removing the mount. Using the SC serial number range and from what I see I think I can determine all but 2 of the digits.
So perhaps you could take a look at this photo and see what you think.
What I come up with is 4822-2-
Anybody want to take a stab at it?

 

[mgmorden]

I don't think you're going to be able to tell for sure without removing the mount. To me it looks like 4x22x27 where x is probably 6 or 8, though possibly 3 or 5 depending on just how the digit is positioned.

Why the hesitation on removing the mount? I could understand if you had a scope mounted and didn't want to lose zero but it looks like there's no scope mounted currently.

 

[Acera]

Good news is you are way above the 'low serial number' limit for potential problems.



.

 

[mgmorden]

Good news is you are way above the 'low serial number' limit for potential problems..

All of the A3 variants are good. Only the original 1903's need to be looked at.

I've got one 1903 sporter that thankfully is in the good range. Had a 1903-A3 (also a custom built sporter) years ago that I sold because it kept keyholing bullets, but I honestly wish I'd kept that gun and just rebarreled it. The 1903 action (in either form) makes for a very nice gun IMHO. They're rare enough now that I wouldn't chop up an unmodified one, but I love finding one that someone else has already "tainted" .

 

[Acera]

All of the A3 variants are good. Only the original 1903's need to be looked at.

I've got one 1903 sporter that thankfully is in the good range. Had a 1903-A3 (also a custom built sporter) years ago that I sold because it kept keyholing bullets, but I honestly wish I'd kept that gun and just rebarreled it. The 1903 action (in either form) makes for a very nice gun IMHO. They're rare enough now that I wouldn't chop up an unmodified one, but I love finding one that someone else has already "tainted" .

If they were originally made that way. The local pawn shop had a low numbered 1903 that had been rebuilt (not sure by who) to a WWII configuration. Owner would not listen to reason or had the ability to comprehend the literature I was showing him. Good news is I knew the CLEO at the time of that small town and he had a talk with him.....................and he then listened.

Unfortunately it is buyer beware out there.



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[Vern Humphrey]

"Good news is you are way above the 'low serial number' limit for potential problems."

The term "low serial number" applies only to M1903s made at Rock Island and Springfield prior to WWI. M1903A3s were made by Smith Corona and Remington some 20+ years later.

 

[Acera]

Vern did you read my post #5??? SMH..........................

Always check the serial number, not matter what you think the gun looks like.


.

 

[lencac]

Come on guys stay on subject ............. jeez
If you want to bloviate about low serial numbers and how safe your 03 is ................... start your own thread.

The only 2 digits I'm concerned with is the 5th and the 7th ...................... the others are easy to figure out by using the SC serial number ranges and the parts that are visible.

 

[Sunray]

Don't think it'll help, but the SC S/N range is at the bottom of Paragraph 6.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2010/3/12/the-smith-corona-03a3s/

 

[lencac]

thanks Sunray. It confirms the number ranges I also checked. I googled photos of SC A3's and found also the last digit must be a "7" because the digit "1" has is crossed at the bottom.
So only the 5th digit is in question now. Take a look at this photo. I think the 5th digit is a "6"

 

[lencac]

I know it might seem like a simple thing to remove the mount and look. In a perfect world that would be the case. Problem is the screws are slotted screws for a flat blade driver and the screws are lock-tited.
And the rear screw head is already buggered a bit. So simply putting a flat blade driver to them is not that easy ................... I know, I've already tried.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Vern did you read my post #5??? SMH..........................

Always check the serial number, not matter what you think the gun looks like.


.

The 03A3 cannot be mistaken for an 03. For one thing, it has the rear sight mount on the receiver bridge.

 

[Ibmikey]

A guess is a guess, if you want to know the S/N take the rifle to a competent gunsmith and remove the mount. No one here is going to provide a certified copy of obscured numbers.

 

[Walkalong]

Some posts are missing. Let's try to stay on topic and refrain from non THR comments.