O3-A3 whats it worth
- Thread starter turbo mulcher
- Start date
A few factors bear on value. Depends on condition and originality of parts and finish. What is the bore like? What is the s/n and barrel date markings behind the front sight? Is it a Remington or Smith-Corona? Any stamps, splits, or cracks in the stock? Are the barrel bands, sling swivels, buttplate, bolt and trigger housing blued or parkerized? Any rust or metal pitting? If it is Remington, just about all of the metal parts should have an "R" stamped on them. It looks pretty clean in your last pic.
It is a Smith Corona , 7 digit serial number. Are there certain numbers that give info on the guns origin? It has 3 sling mounts and the bayonet mount. A cleaning kit in the stock. Barrel looks good, I was shooting it and blew some pop cans away @100 yds with hunting loads.
I would say this gun came back from the war and sat in grandads closet all these years.
The end of the barrel has 5 43 and ca1 st a vt and 30-06. I don't have a clue what any of this means.
I would say this gun came back from the war and sat in grandads closet all these years.
The end of the barrel has 5 43 and ca1 st a vt and 30-06. I don't have a clue what any of this means.
Sounds like a U.S. import marking ?
The barrel date can be correlated to the s/n to establish if it is original. Smith-Corona barrels are stamped "SC" just behind the front sight. Would need to know the s/n an whether or not the "SC" stamping is present.
The CAI ST A VT .30-06 are US import stamps in compliance with US law. This shows it was imported by Century Arms International St. Albans,VT, probably in the late 1980s/early 1990s. These markings aren't original and detract from value.
There are some uniquely made parts on a Smith-Corona which distinguishes it from a Remington made rifle-bolt, trigger housing, buttplate, and stock. Also any parts marked "R" are Remington replacements. Bore condition is key-any pitting or corrosion there or on the remainder of the rifle?
The CAI ST A VT .30-06 are US import stamps in compliance with US law. This shows it was imported by Century Arms International St. Albans,VT, probably in the late 1980s/early 1990s. These markings aren't original and detract from value.
There are some uniquely made parts on a Smith-Corona which distinguishes it from a Remington made rifle-bolt, trigger housing, buttplate, and stock. Also any parts marked "R" are Remington replacements. Bore condition is key-any pitting or corrosion there or on the remainder of the rifle?
A Smith-Corona stock has a number of stamps on the bottom just in front of the mag well.
It sounds like a nice gun. I bought a new S-C years ago, after some Dumb Ass Bubba cut the top and bottom wood infront of the barrel band. I restored it except I couldn't find a S-C stock but am still looking for one. I have 7 or 8, 03 and 03 A3s in my collection they are rare but it seems some have surfaced by the looks of the EE Forum.
It sounds like a nice gun. I bought a new S-C years ago, after some Dumb Ass Bubba cut the top and bottom wood infront of the barrel band. I restored it except I couldn't find a S-C stock but am still looking for one. I have 7 or 8, 03 and 03 A3s in my collection they are rare but it seems some have surfaced by the looks of the EE Forum.
The other way to tell a SC from a Rem stock is by the inletting for the lower band retaining spring. Front of SC inletting cut is round where the Rem is square.
Folks may find this tough to believe, but 19 yrs ago I mail ordered a nice SC from a dealer in Oregon for $200.
All I did was to send along a photocopy of my FAC which he included with the shipping documentation. It came thru customs slick as a whistle.
03A3s are tougher to find than M1903s. I've been flogging the EE for some time looking for a Remington 03A3 receiver or a rifle with a clapped out barrel to build on. Got all the parts, incl a couple of new barrels, but no receiver.
Folks may find this tough to believe, but 19 yrs ago I mail ordered a nice SC from a dealer in Oregon for $200.
All I did was to send along a photocopy of my FAC which he included with the shipping documentation. It came thru customs slick as a whistle.03A3s are tougher to find than M1903s. I've been flogging the EE for some time looking for a Remington 03A3 receiver or a rifle with a clapped out barrel to build on. Got all the parts, incl a couple of new barrels, but no receiver.
