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Originally Posted by mugwump
OK, what's this? Bonus points for identifying the background.
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This is actually a "Modified '03" which was an intermediate version produced prior to the '03A3s. I've been told it was of the type used on Guadalcanal. I got the rifle for $100 in 1997 from an old gentleman who was thrilled it was going to someone who would appreciate it. This is the note he put in the butt stock:
"XXXX,
I assume you know the history of Remington manufactured 1903s, often
referred to a the "modified" or "Remington modified" 1903s, but I'll give a brief
account as I understand it.
Remington began production of the 1903 Springfields in early 1942 as a
backup for the then rare Garands. As production proceeded Remington made
modifications to the rifle to reduce production time. The final modification was
eliminating the sight base in front of the receiver and moving it to the receiver
bridge. Because this was such a major change the rifle's designation was
changed to Model 1903A3. But the first 300,000 were called 1903 modified.
This rifle is barrel dated 9-42. This barrel date agrees with the serial
number suggesting the rifle has never been rebarrelled. The sight base is in
front of the receiver, but the lightening groves machined into each side had
been eliminated by then. The front barrel band/bayonet lug is of the
machined variety and marked with the Remington "R" while the rear barrel
band is stamped metal. The magazine housing and floorplate are machined
and marked with the letter "R". The buttplate is stamped and marked with an
R as is the rear sling swivel. The bolt is also also marked with the Remington R
and is correct for the piece.
The finish on the metal is dark brown Parkerizing finish and is uniform
through out showing almost no wear. This color is consistent for the late
1942 production rifles.
The stock is a wide grained walnut, finished to a dark brownish-red. There
is one ding under the bolt handle. The modified 1903 stocks were thicker
through the stock wrist than the earlier 1903s and the later 1903A3s. The
stock has the correct thick wrist for a modified 1903.
The barrel has four groves. The riflings are sharp, but the barrel does not
have the mirror finish seen on some later 1903A3 suggesting that it saw some
service with corrosive ammunition, and has some greying of the groves.
I hope that gives you a better sense of the rifle's history. Please pass this
note to the next owner of the rifle. If you can, try to insure it goes into hands
that will appreciate its history."