1903a3 Smith Corona

sparkeyboaz · May 08, 2012, 17:51

Well I went and did it!
I wanted a collector grade 1903A3 rather than a sporterized version. I found this on Gunbroker and couldn't resist. It's S/N range, "4803xxx" puts it as mfg in 10/1943.
It appears to be all original and doesn't appear to of been rebuilt by any of the arsenals.
I know it's not as rare as the earlier pre WWII models but I still like it for what it is.
I was told it's been a "Closet Queen" since WWII.
What do you think of the condition and any idea on the collector value.
I am paying a small premium for it but felt it was worth it in the condition!
Thanks, Sparkeyboaz

Retired Bum · May 08, 2012, 19:07

That is a nice looking Smith-Corona M1903A3 you have there. You didn't show a photo of the barrel markings behind the front sight. If the barrel is original it should be marked SC with the date and the flaming bomb. Smith-Corona did not manufacture the complete rifle like Remington did with the 03A3. They made the action but not the barrel. Although stamped SC they were actually made by the High Standard Company.

SC marked barrels can have two grooves, four grooves, and even six grooves. Most were either two or four groove barrels. These barrels were very well made given the war time production.

The last S-C 03A3 I saw at a local gunshow about two years ago looked to be in the same condition as yours. It was priced at $1000 firm. But it wasn't sold. The gunshow dealers around here are very fond of their older US military weapons and ask higher than usual prices......

And so it goes.

The Retired One

NEWFNL1A1 · May 08, 2012, 21:47

Beautiful rifle...in a perfect world, I'd have a bunch of these....love em!

sparkeyboaz · May 09, 2012, 07:10

Thanks for the interest.
I added a couple of pics. One shows the bbl w/ "S C 10/43 and the flaming ordnance bomb stamp". The last pic shows the typical "bullet test"
I'm ordering some gages to check it out more acurately.
I ended up paying $900 plus shipping and brokering.
The other "1903 Mark I" I recently picked up went to a friend that can use it more than me. I was tempted to part the Mark I out but he wanted it.
I kept the scope and helped a friend.
I really can appreciate the beauty of these older military rifles.
This one came up and I almost didn't bid on it. Just felt that one in this condition doesn't come around very often!
Thanks again for the interest and comments.
Sparkeyboaz

**ac7120** · May 09, 2012, 07:46

Really nice rifle! I too have a nice Smith-Corona, but not as pretty as yours. These rifles are great shooters also, but unlike many of the contemporary semi auto rifles, a day at the range will cost you a lot less for ammo. It's funny, the older I get, the more I appreciate these old war horses, and especially the '03's.

Sperzuki · May 09, 2012, 10:02

$900 is not much of a premium. I think you got a good deal. 1903/A3 is a superb rifle.

sparkeyboaz · May 09, 2012, 16:18

I thought $900 was reasonable, just alot of cash outlay all at once. I know there are alot of much more expensive rifles to be had. I was leaning towards finding a Winchester US Model 1917, M1 Garand or M1A. This one just kept my eye!
The main selling point was that it's not been rearsenaled! Rifle comes with a "good Milsco 43" sling. Seller says it has a "bright clean 4 groove barrel that shows absolutely no wear". I'll be checking it with a muzzle gage and see what the headspacing looks like!
I'm anxious to receive this one. My broker is out until Friday so it will be a week or so before I will receive it.
Sparkeyboaz

**Thomas** · May 09, 2012, 17:06

The stamp on the left side, FJA, Frank J. Atwood if I remember correctly.
Cheers.

randy762ak · May 09, 2012, 20:14

NICE--Really Nice !! we call them Type writers!!
My dad Got 2 03=A3's In the early 60 for 25$ bucks each Like new,,,,, How times change !!

I have a [Lunch Box SC]-[built from parts that walked out the door and No Sn.] It has a 2 groove Barrel marked SC..

Dont be afraid to shoot it -Clean and care for it like a fine sporting arm and You can enjoy it all your life ...

May 08, 2012, 17:51	#1
sparkeyboaz Registered FALaholic #: 50566 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Parker CO Posts: 671	1903a3 Smith Corona Well I went and did it! I wanted a collector grade 1903A3 rather than a sporterized version. I found this on Gunbroker and couldn't resist. It's S/N range, "4803xxx" puts it as mfg in 10/1943. It appears to be all original and doesn't appear to of been rebuilt by any of the arsenals. I know it's not as rare as the earlier pre WWII models but I still like it for what it is. I was told it's been a "Closet Queen" since WWII. What do you think of the condition and any idea on the collector value. I am paying a small premium for it but felt it was worth it in the condition! Thanks, Sparkeyboaz Last edited by sparkeyboaz; May 09, 2012 at 07:00. Reason: added pics of bbl markings

May 08, 2012, 21:47	#3
NEWFNL1A1 Out standing in his field Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 43401 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tx Posts: 3,322	Beautiful rifle...in a perfect world, I'd have a bunch of these....love em! __________________ Neo-Luddite - Traigo Mi Cuarenta y Cinco - Inch Guy I'm just a peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many hours on Call of Duty. I watch my Fake TV every evening....not much different than cable.

May 09, 2012, 07:46	#5
ac7120 Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 63517 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 134	Really nice rifle! I too have a nice Smith-Corona, but not as pretty as yours. These rifles are great shooters also, but unlike many of the contemporary semi auto rifles, a day at the range will cost you a lot less for ammo. It's funny, the older I get, the more I appreciate these old war horses, and especially the '03's. __________________ Sarge

May 09, 2012, 10:02	#6
Sperzuki Registered Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 63037 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 145	$900 is not much of a premium. I think you got a good deal. 1903/A3 is a superb rifle. __________________ Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they're NOT out to get me!!!

May 09, 2012, 17:06	#8
Thomas Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 7451 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 499	03 The stamp on the left side, FJA, Frank J. Atwood if I remember correctly. Cheers. __________________ Thomas

May 08, 2012, 19:07	#2
Retired Bum Registered FALaholic #: 21904 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,210	That is a nice looking Smith-Corona M1903A3 you have there. You didn't show a photo of the barrel markings behind the front sight. If the barrel is original it should be marked SC with the date and the flaming bomb. Smith-Corona did not manufacture the complete rifle like Remington did with the 03A3. They made the action but not the barrel. Although stamped SC they were actually made by the High Standard Company. SC marked barrels can have two grooves, four grooves, and even six grooves. Most were either two or four groove barrels. These barrels were very well made given the war time production. The last S-C 03A3 I saw at a local gunshow about two years ago looked to be in the same condition as yours. It was priced at $1000 firm. But it wasn't sold. The gunshow dealers around here are very fond of their older US military weapons and ask higher than usual prices...... And so it goes. The Retired One

May 09, 2012, 07:10	#4
sparkeyboaz Registered FALaholic #: 50566 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Parker CO Posts: 671	Thanks for the interest. I added a couple of pics. One shows the bbl w/ "S C 10/43 and the flaming ordnance bomb stamp". The last pic shows the typical "bullet test" I'm ordering some gages to check it out more acurately. I ended up paying $900 plus shipping and brokering. The other "1903 Mark I" I recently picked up went to a friend that can use it more than me. I was tempted to part the Mark I out but he wanted it. I kept the scope and helped a friend. I really can appreciate the beauty of these older military rifles. This one came up and I almost didn't bid on it. Just felt that one in this condition doesn't come around very often! Thanks again for the interest and comments. Sparkeyboaz

May 09, 2012, 16:18	#7
sparkeyboaz Registered FALaholic #: 50566 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Parker CO Posts: 671	I thought $900 was reasonable, just alot of cash outlay all at once. I know there are alot of much more expensive rifles to be had. I was leaning towards finding a Winchester US Model 1917, M1 Garand or M1A. This one just kept my eye! The main selling point was that it's not been rearsenaled! Rifle comes with a "good Milsco 43" sling. Seller says it has a "bright clean 4 groove barrel that shows absolutely no wear". I'll be checking it with a muzzle gage and see what the headspacing looks like! I'm anxious to receive this one. My broker is out until Friday so it will be a week or so before I will receive it. Sparkeyboaz

May 09, 2012, 20:14	#9
randy762ak Registered FALaholic #: 25888 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: From the commie state of stinking NY Posts: 1,516	NICE--Really Nice !! we call them Type writers!! My dad Got 2 03=A3's In the early 60 for 25$ bucks each Like new,,,,, How times change !! I have a [Lunch Box SC]-[built from parts that walked out the door and No Sn.] It has a 2 groove Barrel marked SC.. Dont be afraid to shoot it -Clean and care for it like a fine sporting arm and You can enjoy it all your life ...

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