M1903-A3 by Nail Ord?

[Dick Hosmer]

One of the principals (if not the owner) of National Ordnance was the late Bob Hill, one of the premier Springfield collectors/authorities of the "trapdoor" period. Al Frasca's first book (co-authored with Bob) was largely based on the latter's collection and expertise. Nice guy, one of my mentors in the 1970s-80s - he should have known better.

[jgaynor]

National Ordnance made 03-A3's, M1's, M1 Carbines and Armalite knockoffs. One of the most comprehensive sources of information on the company and its principals can be found at the following link http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_natord.html

(the 03-A3's are discussed on the third page about halfway down)

Properly done an investment cast receiver is not necessarily a bad thing. Most Ruger firearms use investment cast receivers.

Personally I would avoid firing Ball ammunition in an 03-A3 made by National Ord, Santa Fe, or Golden State.

regards.

Jim

[Dick Hosmer]

Thank you for the clarification. Apparently I was misinformed - my info did not come from Bob directly (we only talked trapdoors!!) rather from a source - who occasionally still contributes to Jouster - who knew Bob fairly well in SoCal prior to Bob's move to Carson City NV (where he passed away circa 1997/8). I really miss our discussions, he had amassed a truly world-class Springfield collection.

[Merc]

The receivers are cast, not forged, making them weak.

I guess product liability issues in the 1960s were not what they are today. Some of their home brewed barrels and receivers were both rupturing and the rifles were never recalled.

[Sunray]

'Nail Ord' is somebody who can't type. National Ordnance were professional Bubba's like Gibbs et al. Took '03A3 receivers and made 'em into 'A4's.

[Merc]

'Nail Ord' is somebody who can't type. National Ordnance were professional Bubba's like Gibbs et al. Took '03A3 receivers and made 'em into 'A4's.

I took a good look at the receiver and the top of the "T" was missing and that's what I meant by a poorly struck logo that appeared to be "Nail" instead of "Natl," I saw a photo of another receiver on a different forum and it also had a missing T top and another photo of a ruptured cast receiver. You have to wonder why they thought their receivers would contain the powder charge of a .30-06.

[Dick Hosmer]

I am STILL looking for the source of the 1903 that I observed many, many years ago, which had an early receiver marked "Rock Island Arcenal" in serifed typeface. No, I am NOT making this up - was at a show, and I called it to the attention of several people. FWIW, it was a very clear, full, "C", not the top half of an "S", or any other type of die-break anomaly.

[fguffey]

The receivers are cast, not forged, making them weak.

I was at a gun show in Mesquite, Texas when I noticed a man trying to sell an 03 Remington, the dealer refused to talk to the seller because the barrel was stamped Santa Fe. I purchased the rifle for $125.00, the seller threw in 2 boxes of 30/06 R-P ammo he purchases with the rifle from Sears. The rifle had a Remington receiver and Remington barrel with a hunting type stock. I took the rifle to the range and found it to be one of the most accurate rifles I have without a scope. I intended to use the receiver on an A4 barrel I have that is chambered for 308 Norma Mag. Because of the accuracy I applied the 'leaver policy', I lefter the way I founder.

At the same show a dealer had a rifle he was going to sell for $200.00, that was before experts convinced him it was a US Presentation type rifle. When I finally got back to where he was located he had decided not to sell the rifle. He did allow me to see the Mauser, it was a National Ordinance. I told him it was a little late in the day to try to sell it but he could start over the next day.

F. Guffey