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| Author | Comment | ||
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 Smokepole50 |
Strange 03-A3 with 25 round mag and side mounted sling**PICTURES ADDED** |
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Posts: 1218 (12/14/08 11:12 AM) Veteran member |
I saw a strange 03 last night with a 25 round fixed mag and a side mounted sling. It was a Smith-Corona made rifle in very nice condition.
Anyone ever seen anything like this? Also, what are USGI BAR mags going for now? I saw 4 last night that looked unused? Smokepole
Last Edited By: Smokepole50 12/16/08 02:22 PM.
Edited 1 time.
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eb in oregon |
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Posts: 452 (12/14/08 11:20 AM) |
Sounds like an armorer modified firearm, I've never heard or seen of a proto-type "trench rifle."
Though who knows. It could be a one-of-a-kind factory project that somehow founds its way out the door. However as I'm learning, though this could be a possibility, with out documentation or picture proof, you got nothing. Eric
"We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin, July 4 1776 |
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Rick the Librarian |
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Posts: 4612 (12/14/08 11:30 AM) Host |
There are a few "Air Service" type magazines - or, as Eb said, it could be a gunsmith special.
Some Greek M1903s/03A3s came with side mounted slings. Best guess is they were used by Greek mountain troops or those miunted on horses. |
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Smokepole50 |
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Posts: 1219 (12/14/08 02:09 PM) Veteran member |
This rifle WAS part of a collection that was just recently purchased because the man is dieing. He sold it ALL in one package. I don't think this 03-A3 is
a gunsmith rifle. I will try and get some pictures of it tomorrow. He had some very nice stuff like a M1-D, a Krag, a Eddystone 1917, a M41 Johnson, 2 Hakims,
several M1 Carbine's a MINT condition Spandau 71/84 with original ammo, a almost new Jap bring back carbine, severl German pistols and lots of other stuff
I did not have time to look at. He also had lots of very valuable old ammo. I was druling over the stuff last night at the Christmas party. 9mm Kurtz made by
Walther in little small boxes of 12 rounds. A case of Egyption 8mm and a unopened case of Chineese 7.62x39. How about some 1917 45 Long Colt in the original
unopened boxed, I.ve never seen some of this stuff.
Smokepole
Last Edited By: Smokepole50
12/17/08 01:22 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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stantheman1986 |
Yes | ||
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Posts: 5193 (12/14/08 05:44 PM) |
Another reason to shoot and enjoy all the stuff you have in your collection, I used to be OCD about shooting some of my stuff, then I realized I won't be
around forever and I don't want to be on my death bed thinking about someone blowing 5,000 rounds through my previously only-once-fired-by-me 1954 H&R
CMP Garand..........or getting waxed by a meteor falling out of the sky tomorrow never having gotten to shoot my Snider Enfield.
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Smokepole50 |
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Posts: 1221 (12/15/08 11:16 PM) Veteran member |
I took pictures of this rifle today. I'll try and post them tomorrow.
Smokepole50 |
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Smokepole50 |
Here are the photo as promised........ | ||
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Posts: 1222 (12/16/08 02:26 PM) Veteran member |
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m1 talker |
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Posts: 6310 (12/16/08 04:17 PM) Veteran member |
What is so different from that and the 20 or 25 round magazines that were made for the Gewher 98 in WW1 by the Germans? After all, the 1903 was a derivative of
the Mauser 98 and the 1903A3 was a derative of the 1903. I don't know if many were made that way, but it all seems plausable. It sure would be fun when
guys like Cheapdad, Biff, and I get together at the range and re-enact the second battle of the Marne!
Curt |
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Sgt Rob P |
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Posts: 147 (12/16/08 04:28 PM) |
Although not correct for use on an M1903A3 the 25 round magazine and modified trigger guard are a direct replacement for the standard triggerguard. The 25rd.
magazines were designed for use on the Air Service model M1903's and for use on the various periscope mounted M1903 rifles during WWI. The magazines though
uncommon are not exactly rare. The triggerguard a little more so as I have not seen any for sale in about 15 years. Canfield's latest M1903 book has some
nice pics of both the above mentioned M1903 applications of the 25rd magazine.
Also notice that the muzzle guard with bayo lug is missing on that rifle, some one monkeyed around with that rifle. Semper Fi, Rob
Last Edited By: Sgt Rob P
12/16/08 04:33 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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 WVchuck |
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Posts: 11543 (12/16/08 04:59 PM) Forum Site Moderator |
Monkeyed with or not, that is interesting!!! I've never seen anything like that aside from the 98 Trench mags.
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vamelungeon |
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Posts: 800 (12/16/08 08:25 PM) |
There was an article in American Rifleman a while back about the Air Service '03's and I bet that's what you've got. I don't save my
Rifleman magazines, but someone around here has the article.
NRA Life Member
Audie N4AUD Wise, VA |
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M14man |
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Posts: 120 (12/16/08 09:56 PM) active member |
I have one, This one is mounted on a M1903MK1 and then separated with the follower and keeper to prevent follower loss.
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Crunch130 |
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Posts: 800 (12/16/08 11:05 PM) |
I thought the few Air Service rifles were from WWI, eliminating the possibility that an '03A3 would be original like that?
Crunch |
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M14man |
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Posts: 121 (12/16/08 11:24 PM) active member |
The 03A3 was not originally like that. The trigger guard is from an 03, and the mag (WW1 era) was added later to that rifle.
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Smokepole50 |
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Posts: 1223 (12/16/08 11:56 PM) Veteran member |
So.......your saying that this was only a WWI modification, correct? If that is the case, whats the reason for the side mounted sling and no bayonet lug? Where
did those sling swivel's come from? Air Service 03, whats that mean exactly? Did they have them to shoot out of bi-planes during WWI? Surely they would not
have used them to shoot at planes from the ground, what advantage would the mag have been for that. Could it have been a sort of survival rifle for downed
pilots? If it was used as a survival rifle could it not have also been adapted to the 03-A3 and used in a PBY or some other type of WWII transport plane as a
survival weapon if the plane crashed? I really have no idea, and I am not trying to defend this rifle because it is not my rifle, I am only trying to determine
it could be original and not some old times project rifle because he saw one left over from WWI and wanted one for himself.
Smokepole |
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Crunch130 |
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Posts: 801 (12/17/08 12:18 AM) |
The side-mounted sling allows you to actually carry the rifle on your back without getting pounded by the mag. The NRA article made it sound that they were for
downed aviators with enough ammo in one mag that they didn't need to carry a cartridge belt. Not for aerial combat.
Crunch |
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Sgt Rob P |
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Posts: 148 (12/17/08 01:08 AM) |
As I mentioned, see Bruce Canfields book. It is a WWI mod, and there is no documented use of that modification to the M1903A3 rifle. Sorry smokepole50, but the
mag mod, the side sling swivels and the stock appearing to be cut down with the muzzle cap with bayonet lug missing all lead to some sort of militaristic
looking bubbafacation.
I would also add that it is generally accepted that a scant stock on a Smith Corona M1903A3 would have been added in a post WWII rebuild. Semper Fi, Rob
Last Edited By: Sgt Rob P
12/17/08 01:18 AM.
Edited 1 times.
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Sgt Rob P |
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Posts: 149 (12/17/08 01:22 AM) |
Crunch130 wrote:The original "Air Service" rifles had no provision for sling or sling mounts. Again check out some photo's in reference material. Semper Fi, Rob |
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BobM14 |
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Posts: 488 (12/17/08 05:56 PM) |
For all the reasons already mentioned, this 03A3 is definately a fabrication in civilian hands. It's cute, but it ain't "real". The
"actual" rifle pictured here is lacking the rear sight leaf modification barely visible on the first image.
Armed Infidel
Last Edited By: BobM14
12/17/08 06:07 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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