U.S Remington 1903

kingofpawns · November 9, 2020, 02:14 PM

Hello all,
Trying to get more info on this U.S Remington 1903, serial number suggests 1942 production but I can not find any stock like this..
Top of barrel stamped H.S and under that- 11 44
Any info would be much appreciated!!
Thanks

https://biggerbids.com/members/image...109_131405.jpg
https://biggerbids.com/members/image...112_131308.jpg
https://biggerbids.com/members/image...115_131346.jpg
https://biggerbids.com/members/image...108_131302.jpg

Jim Watson · November 9, 2020, 05:43 PM

Heavily sporterized. Stock may well be homemade, white inlays are definitely "folk art" maybe ivory.
The rear sight is a commercial Lyman, the barrel is a High Standard military replacement part. The safety is a short movement type known as a "scope safety" but more convenient to the thumb even with just the receiver sight.

**4V50 Gary** · November 9, 2020, 06:13 PM

Post WW II to the 1970s sporterizing military arms was quite the cottage industry with some people being more skilled that others.

Cheekpiece poorly executed
Inletting for Lyman 48 very poorly done.
Bolt may have been bent, but needs more bending (IMO)
Nosecap was also poorly made.

mikejonestkd · November 9, 2020, 08:46 PM

Wow, just wow......

I can't unsee that.

105kw · November 9, 2020, 11:52 PM

The rear sight is on backwards, overall in the top three ugliest rifles I've ever seen

kingofpawns · November 10, 2020, 09:25 AM

Thank you!

**4V50 Gary** · November 10, 2020, 01:39 PM

If it's accurate, it'll be fine as a hunting rifle. Who cares about appearance.

If it's not accurate, it'll be great for converting into hunting rifle.

**44 AMP** · November 10, 2020, 04:05 PM

Value as a milsurp collectable, none.

value as a sporting rifle, ..some
today's market value...low...

style is style and one man's art is another's crap. Peep sight does appear to be on backwards, possibly put there because of the mag cutoff on the other side and "made to work".

I did better work when I was 15 with mausers, krags springfields and arisakas, a half century ago. though inlays were never my thing.

If you like the look, fine. If it shoots worth a damn, even better. IF not, its a fair start for a project gun.

Good luck, enjoy!

T. O'Heir · November 11, 2020, 02:30 PM

Yep. Bubba has been at that one. Like Gary says, it'd make a good hunting rifle. Any collector value is already gone.
"...rear sight is on backwards..." Makes you wonder how that was done. Bolt doesn't look like it closes properly either.
Picture 108 shows the bolt to be an 'A4 bolt. You may want to check the headspace.
Gotta say you take a dandy picture. Even though 1,280px is too big.

tango1niner · November 11, 2020, 08:23 PM

The rear sight is the base for a Lyman 48 and is NOT mounted backwards, it is where it belongs.

**Mike Irwin** · November 12, 2020, 11:40 AM

"The rear sight is the base for a Lyman 48 and is NOT mounted backwards, it is where it belongs. "

Yep.

IIRC it was mounted on the right side of the 1903/1903-A3 rifles because of the magazine cutoff switch.

**44 AMP** · November 12, 2020, 01:05 PM

Am no expert in peep sights, so if you say the base is right, tis right, but all the ones I remember seeing have the little knurled tube you look through on the side of the buttstock, not the front sight...so it looks backwards...

tango1niner · November 12, 2020, 04:28 PM

The little knurled knob (lock bolt knob) you see on the front of the base is the lock nut to lock the windage/elevation slide which is missing from that base. In operation, you would loosen the lock bolt knob, make your adjustment with the elevation screw (which is not there) then tighten the knob.

If you wanted to make a major elevation adjustment or remove the windage/elevation slide from the sight you would again loosen the knob as far as possible and push in on the knob which is spring loaded (doing this disengages the elevation screw) and pull the dovetail slide up and out of the base.

Judging by the inletting in the stock that sight may have had a "long slide" which would have lots of elevation adjustment.

It is really a very nice micrometer sight and is capable of 1/4" @ 100yd. adjustments. I have seen them for sale recently for close to $200...

**Mike Irwin** · November 13, 2020, 07:29 AM

This thread at Milsurp forum has some more pictures of a sporterized (nicely) 1903 with the Lyman 48 installed... on the right side of the action.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=38443

IIRC the 48 was also intended to be mounted on the right side of the 1917 and the Remington Model 30, which was based on the 1917.

**Mike Irwin** · November 13, 2020, 07:38 AM

Yep, you're looking at the slide lock nut, 44. That's not the aperture.

That one doesn't have an aperture installed, I don't think, essentially making it a ghost ring.

This thread on the CMP site has a good illustration of the Model 48.

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=190383

Jim Watson · November 13, 2020, 10:01 AM

I think it was a manufacturing setup convenience.
The blank sight base was oriented whichever way to fit the rifle of interest and the mounting surface machined to fit. Some guns got it on the left, some got it on the right, which flipped the lock nut around.
I bet the elevation slides were a common basic form, too.

Be interesting to lay Lyman 48s for Winchester 70 and Springfield 03 side by side to compare.

Jim567 · November 13, 2020, 02:44 PM

I would want not want that rifle.
It was very cool looking at it.
Thanks for the picture!

**4V50 Gary** · November 13, 2020, 07:38 PM

@Mike_Irwin - do you have Bruce Campbell's The Smokeless Era?

**Mike Irwin** · November 14, 2020, 11:03 AM

Gary,

No, I don't.

**Mike Irwin** · November 14, 2020, 11:06 AM

In fact, I can't find any information on such a book by Bruce Campbell at all.

Clark Campbell wrote "The '03 era: When smokeless revolutionized U.S. riflery"...

Is that the one you're talking about?

RC20 · November 14, 2020, 06:17 PM

I like it! Its an iconic mod.

If you can't say something nice about a 1903 with an HS barrel then best to say nothign at all.

November 9, 2020, 02:14 PM	#1
kingofpawns Junior Member Join Date: October 29, 2020 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 4	U.S Remington 1903 Hello all, Trying to get more info on this U.S Remington 1903, serial number suggests 1942 production but I can not find any stock like this.. Top of barrel stamped H.S and under that- 11 44 Any info would be much appreciated!! Thanks https://biggerbids.com/members/image...109_131405.jpg https://biggerbids.com/members/image...112_131308.jpg https://biggerbids.com/members/image...115_131346.jpg https://biggerbids.com/members/image...108_131302.jpg

November 9, 2020, 06:13 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Post WW II to the 1970s sporterizing military arms was quite the cottage industry with some people being more skilled that others. Cheekpiece poorly executed Inletting for Lyman 48 very poorly done. Bolt may have been bent, but needs more bending (IMO) Nosecap was also poorly made. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 9, 2020, 08:46 PM	#4
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	Wow, just wow...... I can't unsee that. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

November 10, 2020, 01:39 PM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	If it's accurate, it'll be fine as a hunting rifle. Who cares about appearance. If it's not accurate, it'll be great for converting into hunting rifle. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 10, 2020, 04:05 PM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,814	Value as a milsurp collectable, none. value as a sporting rifle, ..some today's market value...low... style is style and one man's art is another's crap. Peep sight does appear to be on backwards, possibly put there because of the mag cutoff on the other side and "made to work". I did better work when I was 15 with mausers, krags springfields and arisakas, a half century ago. though inlays were never my thing. If you like the look, fine. If it shoots worth a damn, even better. IF not, its a fair start for a project gun. Good luck, enjoy! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 9, 2020, 05:43 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Heavily sporterized. Stock may well be homemade, white inlays are definitely "folk art" maybe ivory. The rear sight is a commercial Lyman, the barrel is a High Standard military replacement part. The safety is a short movement type known as a "scope safety" but more convenient to the thumb even with just the receiver sight.

November 9, 2020, 11:52 PM	#5
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 413	The rear sight is on backwards, overall in the top three ugliest rifles I've ever seen

November 10, 2020, 09:25 AM	#6
kingofpawns Junior Member Join Date: October 29, 2020 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 4	Thank you!

November 11, 2020, 02:30 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Yep. Bubba has been at that one. Like Gary says, it'd make a good hunting rifle. Any collector value is already gone. "...rear sight is on backwards..." Makes you wonder how that was done. Bolt doesn't look like it closes properly either. Picture 108 shows the bolt to be an 'A4 bolt. You may want to check the headspace. Gotta say you take a dandy picture. Even though 1,280px is too big. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 11, 2020, 08:23 PM	#10
tango1niner Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: NY Posts: 317	The rear sight is the base for a Lyman 48 and is NOT mounted backwards, it is where it belongs.

November 12, 2020, 11:40 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"The rear sight is the base for a Lyman 48 and is NOT mounted backwards, it is where it belongs. " Yep. IIRC it was mounted on the right side of the 1903/1903-A3 rifles because of the magazine cutoff switch. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 12, 2020, 01:05 PM	#12
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,814	Am no expert in peep sights, so if you say the base is right, tis right, but all the ones I remember seeing have the little knurled tube you look through on the side of the buttstock, not the front sight...so it looks backwards... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 12, 2020, 04:28 PM	#13
tango1niner Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: NY Posts: 317	The little knurled knob (lock bolt knob) you see on the front of the base is the lock nut to lock the windage/elevation slide which is missing from that base. In operation, you would loosen the lock bolt knob, make your adjustment with the elevation screw (which is not there) then tighten the knob. If you wanted to make a major elevation adjustment or remove the windage/elevation slide from the sight you would again loosen the knob as far as possible and push in on the knob which is spring loaded (doing this disengages the elevation screw) and pull the dovetail slide up and out of the base. Judging by the inletting in the stock that sight may have had a "long slide" which would have lots of elevation adjustment. It is really a very nice micrometer sight and is capable of 1/4" @ 100yd. adjustments. I have seen them for sale recently for close to $200...

November 13, 2020, 07:29 AM	#14
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	This thread at Milsurp forum has some more pictures of a sporterized (nicely) 1903 with the Lyman 48 installed... on the right side of the action. https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=38443 IIRC the 48 was also intended to be mounted on the right side of the 1917 and the Remington Model 30, which was based on the 1917. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 13, 2020, 07:38 AM	#15
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Yep, you're looking at the slide lock nut, 44. That's not the aperture. That one doesn't have an aperture installed, I don't think, essentially making it a ghost ring. This thread on the CMP site has a good illustration of the Model 48. http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=190383 __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 13, 2020, 10:01 AM	#16
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	I think it was a manufacturing setup convenience. The blank sight base was oriented whichever way to fit the rifle of interest and the mounting surface machined to fit. Some guns got it on the left, some got it on the right, which flipped the lock nut around. I bet the elevation slides were a common basic form, too. Be interesting to lay Lyman 48s for Winchester 70 and Springfield 03 side by side to compare.

November 13, 2020, 02:44 PM	#17
Jim567 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Location: NE FL Posts: 656	I would want not want that rifle. It was very cool looking at it. Thanks for the picture!

November 13, 2020, 07:38 PM	#18
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	@Mike_Irwin - do you have Bruce Campbell's The Smokeless Era? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 14, 2020, 11:03 AM	#19
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Gary, No, I don't. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 14, 2020, 11:06 AM	#20
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	In fact, I can't find any information on such a book by Bruce Campbell at all. Clark Campbell wrote "The '03 era: When smokeless revolutionized U.S. riflery"... Is that the one you're talking about? __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 14, 2020, 06:17 PM	#21
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I like it! Its an iconic mod. If you can't say something nice about a 1903 with an HS barrel then best to say nothign at all. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not