SC 1903A3 from South Store - 6 groove

[willgaga]

Was at the South Store on Saturday. Was the 7th person in and was looking for a Krag. The three they had were pretty rough (found a good looking one at the TMP). Was looking at the 03A3s and saw this Smith Corona. It was a field grade and rough looking (heard one guy saying he passed on it because it was rough), but it it has
a Smith Corona stock and Barrel and also good ME and TE readings . The tag said dark bore, but I ran one patch with kroil through it and it looks bright and shiny to me.

The real bonus is that I was looking at it today and the barrel is actually a 6 groove. The weird thing is the barrel date is 4-43 while the serial number would put it to be manufactured in late 1943. Do you think the barrel was replaced? Any chance it is original to the rifle?









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[John Beard]

If the rifle shows few or no signs of arsenal overhaul or refinish, then yes, it's entirely possible, indeed likely, that the barrel is original. And I saw no signs of overhaul or refinish in your pictures.

Congratulations! Thanks for your patronage! And Happy New Year!

J.B.

[willgaga]

Thanks JB. No, no signs of a refinish, but it could use one (I won’t).

Happy New Year and thanks for all you do.

Will


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[navyrifleman]

Anxious to hear how it groups. Nice rifle!

[RDKBROWNING]

Nice. I have serial # 4832161. And serial # 4832430 is in the NRA museum.

[willgaga]

Thanks guys. Will do. Curious what your barrel date is Bob.


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[RDKBROWNING]

I'll have to dig it out later. I will let you know.

[bobk]

Pass on it because it was too rough, he must have wanted a new in box one. I would have grabbed it in a heartbeat. I love the unmolested ones with the dark receivers, and that one looks all SC. It will really look nice cleaned up and a good oil application on the stock. Congratulations on an excellent choice. You did well.