WWII Remington 1903 Rifle, modified

[Tony]

I was offered one of these rifles recently. Curious if other WW2 rifle collectors consider this type to have amongst Garands, Carbines as part of their collections. This one appears to be in good condition with the sling. Just pondering the offer and wonder if it's worth owning one.

Thanks,
Tony

[Johnny Peppers]

The Model 1903 Remington rifles are very collectible, especially the early variation. Value would also depend on whether the rifle is original condition or a rebuild.

[Tony]

Hello Johnny,
What can I look for in general (original/rebuild), there are no markings on the wood stock itself.
Thanks,
Tony

[Johnny Peppers]

The Remington Model 1903 rifles are in the 3.0 to approximately 3.34 million serial number range, and the features changed over production. It would just depend on the serial number range it was in.

The fact that the stock has no markings indicates that it has either been replaced or sanded clean of it's original markings. The original trigger guard assemblies, bands, and buttplate were milled where later ones were stamped.

If you just want one for your collection I would wait on an original rifle.

[Tony]

Have some pictures of this rifle. I'd like some opinions on whether this is worth owning from a collector standpoint. No stampings on the stock anywhere, so does that hurt the value? All opinions are welcome.

Thanks,
Tony

[Tony]

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[Tony]

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[bodes]

Your stock is a scant stock (replacement)....I don't believe these have many (if any) proofs.....Bodes

[Johnny Peppers]

If the rifle was a legitimate rebuild the stock would have the mark of the facility that did the rebuild, and possibly a P proof in the grip area if the bolt or barrel were replaced. The stock does look sanded, and the original rebuild markings may have been removed. The only scant stocks used during regular production were used on the 03-A4 rifles when the C stocks were no longer available.

The scant stock is a straight stock blank cut on a C type duplicating machine. All the dimensions are the same as the C stock, but there wasn't enough wood in the straight stock blank to make a full pistol grip.

[Tony]

Really appreciate the comments on this piece.

Tony