It spoke to me

[blackhawknj]

Uncle Sam's Ordnance men were more concerned with getting a rifle back in operation than in keeping it "correct." I have a 1918 made M1903 with the "scant grip" stock. Not correct for 1918, correct for WWII.

[Darreld Walton]

Now I'm confused. According to www.vishooter.net/ra_serialization.txt the serial numbers beginning with 3,000,000 were assigned to A3s. Was this during the period before the term A3 was used? 7-42 is correct, my error on 6-42.

Must be some confusion somewhere. Remington M1903 s/n's start at 3 million. I own Rem. 1903 s/n 3,002,XXX, unfortunately sporterized, but with all of the very early features present. Some of the other fella's would have a lot better idea of where the Rem. A3's serial numbers started.

[pickax]

Yes, the serialization charts are a bit confusing as they list both together. However the serial/barrel charts just below them separate the rifles by model/manufacturer a bit more definitively.
So although in constant transition, The A3 starts in the 33K range around 12/42.
I'm really grateful for the VI shooter site, it's mighty handy. Thanks JB and all contributors.

[Rick the Librarian]

Remington M1903s start in the 3,000,000 range. The first M1903A3s appear in the 3,320,000 range and they both are serialed from there until about the 3,360,000 range (although a few M1903s appear in the 3,370,000-3,380,000 range. After that, all M1903A3.