Hello,

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between the early Remington 1903 stocks and the later 1903A3 stocks.

I understand that the top handguard for the early ones have relief cuts for the rear sight and are somewhat humbacked, but what about the main stock itself?

From what I've read, the handguard on the A1s won't interchange on A3 stocks.

Also, I know the early Remington A1s had milled triggers/floorplates, so do these not fit on A3 stocks?

Sorry for all the questions, but from pictures I find it pretty hard to tell the difference. I've found a few in the usual places, but worried to pick them up without knowing for sure. I do have an original Remington A1 handguard so that may help eventually.

Any info. or links to info. would be very appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mark.

PS: I do have THE book on 1903s somewhere, but I'm out of town at the moment!

First, you are using incorrect terminology. Remington never produced a M1903A1, they produced M1903, M1903A3 and M1903A4 rifles. The A1 designation applied only to a stock change. All Remington M1903 rifles were produced with the S or straight stock, the very earliest of which had grasping grooves before these were eliminated and there is no exact date for the change, so serial numbers in the same sequence may have grasping groove stocks or not. Later Remington M1903 rifles had some stamped parts from the M1903A3 production as they were both being produced at the same time for awhile.

The handguards for the M1903 and the M1903A3 rifles are completely different and were dictated by the location of the sights on these two very distinctly different rifles. They are not interchangeable.

You really need to read your books as these rifles were made by four different manufacturers from 1903 to 1945 and there are many differences in parts.

Sorry about the A1 designation. I've talked to a bunch of non-collectors about what they have for sale and they keep showing me A3 stuff so A1 probably came from a combination of confusion and frustration.

I know they are very different rifles, but in all honesty, I really can't tell what the hell the difference is between these stocks and why the lower stock wouldn't fit any configuration of 1903 whether it be an 03 or 03A3....

I am aware of that the handguard is very different, due to the sight configuration which is different, but when you put an early 1903 remington up to an A3, other than the handguard, what's the difference?

The buttplate is apparently smooth and milled. I'm basically just looking for a remington marked stock that will fit an 03 with the early sight config. I definitely don't need one made in April 1943 or something.

I guess I should have been more specific and asked if there are any distinguishing inletting marks that would give it away. Is the inletting different for the milled vs stamped triggerguard?



My uncle has a 1903 Remington without the stock. He wants to find one, but he doesn't have internet. I planned to surprise him so I didn't want to press him on specific details....

I'll do some more searching or wait until I can get home and check the book.

If you are just wanting to re stock the Springfield, CMP offers new replacement walnut stocks for either '03's or '03A3's. Quality walnut and the inletting is quite good and requires little if any hand fitting. Something in the 100.00 plus range w/ shipping. Receently did one on '03 and turned out very nicely. Just a suggestion.

OK, here's the differences in the stock for an '03A3 v. '03.

The '03A3 stock has a cutout located forward of the rcvr cutout. This can be seen by looking down into the stock. It is there to fit the handguard retaining ring into which the rear of the '03A3 handguard fits. An original '03 stock did not need this cutout. However, many original '03 stocks were later modified to accept the handguard ring.

So, all stocks will take the '03 action, either with/without the handguard retaining ring cutout. But only an '03 barreled action will fit into an unmodified '03 stock - an '03A3 action won't fit because there is no cutout for the handguard retaining ring. There are lots of both styles out there.

Any of the stocks will fit your Uncle's M1903 Remington. Hope this helps.

Thanks guys,

I'll probably just get a temporary stock, then keep searching for a Remington (RLB marked I guess) stock later.

Mark