I'm doing consulting work for a manufacturer who has received 5,000 + '03-A3 barreled actions less bottom metal. These were drill rifles. The barrels are welded up and toast as are the bolts. Receivers are in good shape with reversible tack welds on the safety/cutoff. Trying to figure out what exactly to do with them. Spare parts for the action are plentiful. We built two into full military. There is a market for that, but do you folks have any other suggestions? Long ago I saw some posts here where the bolt heads were modified to M98 style by grinding back the left lug allowing for a flat recessed barrel breech. Considering mods to cutoff and fabricating different bolt stop too. Any ideas appreciated.

Well, your employer could do something similar to a Sedgley sporter to apeal to the hipster hunters out there.

Sell them as is and let the enterprising new owners do the projects. You will make more money that way. Trying to make them into something else such as sporters, is a losing proposition,due to labor costs.
Remember they are A3s; not 03s.

X2

More money can be made by selling as is . I've reconverted 6-8 put of a supply of 12 . I picked the ones with the least amount of barrel tack weld and side cut off weld . They are great serviceable A3 rifles . Spare parts are cheap . FFL were needed for these , not the ones with heavy receiver cuts that some dealers did .

Forgot , I made one into a 22 lr using a 1922 m-2 bolt

And I actually can use a few of them; they make good 35 and 400 Whelens.

Your counsel appears sound. I will suggest pulling the barrels and selling the receivers. Thanks for the input.

Any chance you could post some pics
of the welds?

RE: Where are they on the barrels?

Thanks,
George

I would leave the barrels on . Just one more process that takes time and possible damage could occur .
The weld on the barrels is on the bottom ( receiver to barrel ) and a steel plug is hammered in the chamber and a hole is drilled on top ( under wood ) and the rod is plug welded .
Removing the barrels is easiest and less possible damage to the receiver if it's chucked up in the lathe and a part line is cut at the receiver barrel junction.

Years ago,for a law enforcement agency I "reactivated" a few "DEWAT (Deactivated War Trophy). including a nice Thompson Found the welds were pretty much of a splatter that looked OK..very little penetration.

I'd bet the same is true on your A3's

You are absolutely correct. They basically tack welded spots on the mag cutoff/safety and the barrel/receiver junction with stainless. Very shallow penetration. Easily remedied. I appreciate all of the good advice. I am going to recommend at least a portion of the pieces just be sold as-is or at the most dismount the barrels. They are tomato stakes anyway and just increase shipping. The bolts just have a dab of weld in the FP hole.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Years ago,for a law enforcement agency I "reactivated" a few "DEWAT (Deactivated War Trophy). including a nice Thompson Found the welds were pretty much of a splatter that looked OK..very little penetration.

I'd bet the same is true on your A3's

Thanks for the replies.

Not much chance of saving them.

George

According to the American Riflemans Whites lab testing Springfield Armory rifles below 800,000 and Rock Island under 285,507 are called low number springfields 03s..These guns have single heat treated receivers and should not be fired.

Some have discredited that testing, but Whites lab has always been considered one of the best and the nay sayers can't really back up much other than they have used them without incident so they claim.

I don't know and have owned only a few springsfields, that didn't fall into this category..I think they make nice rifles, very smooth action and pretty when customized with today custom stocks..the older American custom stock design was bulky too much wood and not to my personal liking..

Ok, the OP is talking about 1903-A3 receivers; completely different animal from the 03 in terms of material, metallurgy, and strength.

How much for one?

Stand by and I'll try to find out. May be issues with his import license to sell retail vs wholesale. They came from South America.

quote:

Originally posted by aephilli:
How much for one?

Return them to issue condition. They will be worth much more and the job is easier. Military sporters have very low value and are looked down on unless the work is super high quality. That kind of work is prohibitively expensive today.

Try to find the rest of the parts in South America.

Value and scarcity of the correct parts to restore a 1903A3, will not be worth the effort. Original stocks and barrels which literally used to sell for $9.95, are very scarce now. You will end up with a refinished a3 with a stainless steel welds on the receiver; those will have low value too.
As I said above, sell them as is and let the customer figure it out.