need help on a smith corona 1903-a3 rifle
I bought this rifle from my neighbor and I cant find another one like it. I am thinking that the furniture has been updated at some point but I dont know for sure. I need a experts help on this one. I see the military ones selling anywhere from 700-900 on the auction side. I am curious as to how it would effect the value if the stocks are not original..I had my wife grandpa look at it and he said some of the marine snipers had guns like this in ww-2. Thanks for any advice you folks may be able to offer. I would also like to know what year the gun was produced it has the flaming bomb just behind the sights but no date stamp. 
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Definitely a new stock. Not horrible but nothing fancy. Just worth $$ as a solid hunting rifle now. Around $300 is my wager. 0 -
I am sorry here is a better pict of the reciever.. 0 -
It isn't a sniper Springfield they are drilled on the receiver ring for a Redfield bridge mount and scope.
Also,the bolt handle on A-4s were differently formed.
However, it doesn't appear the barrel was cut so the stock can be exchanged for a military one and be worth more.
If you want to improve it's looks you can swap out the dumpy, stamped trigger housing and follower for the earlier machined 1903 style.
As is, the rifle is superior in strength to the 1903s and having the rear sight mounted further back makes for a more accurate shooting rifle.0 -
Any idea what a fair asking price would be on the gun as-is ??? I have always heard these were the best shooting guns in the ww-2 era.. 0 -
$300 tops as it has been sporterized, if it was still in military configration $600-$800 0 -
Definitely an inexpensive replacement sporter stock, much like one I bought in the 60's for $20 or less from Bishop. That was the going price back then for a semi-inletted unfinished walnut sporter stock! Because of all the "sporterizing" that was done on these rifles, which were obtained dirt cheap then, original un-modified military ones are scarce and bring big bucks. The good news, from the photos it appears the metal may not have been messed with. If the barrel is in good interior condition (sharp clean rifling) that would enhance the rifle's desirability among guys who like to shoot in the Springfield matches and similar events at local clubs, on up to Camp Perry. The wood can be easily replaced with after-market military-style stock and handguard, though the stock's metal parts will have to be found. 0 -
From what I can make out of the serial #, your rifle was made in 1944. All Smith Corona rifles were made in 1943 and 1944. As has been said, these rifles sold cheap from US arsenals back in 1962 or so--$10 + $4.50 handling and inspection + shipping (I bought 2 in that era and 3 of my hunting buddies bought one each). Most were made into hunting rifles--some excellent; some not (yours is better than most). As an aside: That military sling is starting to become desireable--check on the auction side. Also, that front sight protector is getting hard to find. As is, it's a pretty nice hunting rifle.
EDIT: Having posted that all Smith Coronas were made in 1943 and 1944, I checked some other sources. Campbell's book states that High Standard was approached in 1942 with a contract for 1903 type rifles. Having resources already swamped with war work, High Standard stated that they would take on the contract provided Smith Corona would be the sub-contractor. Under those circumstances, the Government decided it would be better to award the contract to Smith Corona with High Standard the sub-contractor for barrels. S.C. finished a pilot run of 20 rifles on Oct.24, 1942, and a trial run of 5,540 rifles in Dec., 1942. Serial number "blocks" were assigned to S.C.: 3608000-3707999 and 4708000-4992000. Production was canceled on Feb. 19, 1944 at serial #4845831 with 234,580 rifles produced (3,251 numbers lost in testing, etc.) Brophy's book differs in that he states 236,831 rifles were made by S.C.0 -
I would say there are two reasonable options with the S-C 03A3. First leave it as is and use it for hunting. Second, properly restore it to original configuration. This means getting Smith-Corona stock and other parts. Collectors want original S-C parts on an S-C made rifle. The S-C is more expensive than the Remington made 03A3's as there were not nearly so many made.
Personally, I would buy the necessary S-C parts to restore it. It will then appreciate in value and could still be used for hunting if you wanted to use it that way.
Last choice, buy a Remington or reproduction stock, and make it look like an original 03A3. The gun would then scream "PARTS GUN" to collectors and would be much less desirable (valuable) than a properly restored one.
As to value. Since it is an S-C and suitable for restoration I would say $300 to $400.0 -
The stock on the gun is a bishop. I have checked several places and a decent military stock is a couple hundred bucks. I will most likley just keep it as is and look for the factory furniture in my spare time. I have several high power hunting rifles that I use for different game. I bought this one for a collector piece not a shooter so hopefully I can find what I need to restore it properly.. Thanks for everyones input on this one I was truly stumped. 0 -
you might try sarcoinc.com for a 'hardware set', they have them on special right now. 0
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