03A3 bbl/front sight question

[GregU]

I picked up a sporterized 03A3 to use for a fake 03A4 build. This is a Rem 3,379,xxx receiver with a 1-43 stamped RA bbl. The rifle had been started toward a build before so the front sight was included but off. All the pics I've seen of snipers show the front sight longitudinal groove and 2 wide cross grooves. This rifle I have just has a longitudinal groove w/key. The front sight was ( I think ) a 1903 sight and the cross pin was drilled through the center of the dovetail/dovetail base/key on the front sight. Doesn't look like there was ever a cross pin hole in the rear of the sight base like I've normally seen. So, why no cross grooves?.

[chuckindenver]

pictures.

[GregU]

[4F4Nam]

I'll admit to grabbing at straws here but,.......... left over/converted/replacement '03 barrel????????

Ed

[chuckindenver]

kinda..
a few early 1903A3s were fitted with left over 1903 Remington barrels...
how bout a pic of the chamber area...id bet its cut for a rear sight base.
iv seen a couple like this over the years..
or, since this is a sporter, could just be a 1903 barrel that was installed on a 1903A3 by a gunsmith.

[GregU]

[chuckindenver]

yes, 1903 barrel used up stock..barrel is likely original to the action.

[GregU]

OK, that's probably a negative then on using this bbl? I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but this has me worried too. Slight heat ring on the front of the receiver. Looks like they heated the receiver to tap the front mount. That can't be good, can it?

[chuckindenver]

i have serveral later A3 barrels available., would take that barrel in trade..heat shouldnt be an issue...the holes drilled for a Weaver base is a bigger issue.

[Darreld Walton]

Greg, I am looking at my own rifle with same front sight arrangement, also with a 1-43 barrel date. Mine, though, has been machined into the A3 configuration at the chamber end. I've owned several rifles with the unfinished rear fixed sight base "pad", as yours, but they all had the "normal" A3 front sight base, key, and slots. Years back, in fact, back when there was Culver's and "Gun and Knife" 03 forums, (does posting back then make me a REALLY Old Fart?), there was a fellow I know up in Fairbanks who posted as "Dave in AK", who also reported a barrel assembly identical to yours, but I don't recall what his s/n was, and his report stirred a fairly good-sized kettle at the time!
There apparently was a LOT of "floor sweepings" that were cycled into production, and apparently not necessarily in one 'set' of serial numbers. The one on my desk at the moment with the 1-43 barrel date is s/n 3,516,244, and the barrel and receiver finish is a dead on match, with no evidence of being assembled, disassembled, re-assembled, or screwed with after it left the manufacturer. The A3's with the unfinished chamber ends that I owned, IIRC, were in the neighborhood of 3,37X,XXX.
I'd personally be inclined to leave the assembly as-is, put the front sight back on, of course, with photo documentation, and send a PM to John Beard.

I'd also just put filler screws into the 6-48 holes you have, and perhaps shop for another rifle. As Chuck mentioned, yours is drilled and tapped for a Weaver, or other two-piece base setup, and they will NOT align with the Redfield base you need for an A4 "tribute" rifle. There is most likely room for what would be a third hole, at the rear of the two in the front ring, to accommodate the 8-40 screw for the Redfield, but then, you'd need to index that hole off the hole in the rear bridge, which also would need to be enlarged and re-threaded to 8-40...........