Remington 1903-A3 Puzzle

[hammer24]

I recently acquired this relatively pristine Remington 03-A3 dating to '43 in a scant stock. I'm thrilled to have got it, but am having trouble finding any real info on it. I've scoured the web with no results of an example with similar stamps. I know it is Chinese translated "Safe for use", the nice young lady at the local Chinese buffet helped me with that. I know we sent some rifles to them during WWII to fend off the Japanese, and more during their civil war, but haven't found any examples online. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[rob63]

There is a Chinese militia marksmanship training manual that mentions the Model 1903, but I don't have anything else to add to your mystery. I think you are correct to assume it was likely given to the Nationalist Chinese.
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[/FONT]Edwin H. Lowe Publishing: Militia Marksmanship Training Manual (Rifle and Submachine Guns). Type 53 Mosin Nagant, Chiang Kai-shek Mauser, Arisaka and M1903 Springfield Rifles; Type 50 (PPSh-41) and Type 54 (PPS-43) Submachine Guns.[FONT=&amp]
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[Sgt7330]

I saw some interesting info on this group, at least one picture of an 03 with Chinese markings
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=41944

I don’t know about the book but found reference to it with info relating to Chinese lend lease 03s
https://books.google.com/books?id=v...IQAQ#v=onepage&q=03 Springfield China&f=false

Another reference to a book here, this post references a numerous amount of 03a3 used by Chinese in war w/ Japan
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=162447

 

[Expat]

CMP Forums

I would join this forum and ask. I would be surprised if someone there can't help you.

 

[hammer24]

Thanks for the responses fellas! I'll try to post a similar thread on the CMP forums. Mr. Beard from the CMP gave me some initial feedback through PM, but would love to see what they all think over there.

 

[Expat]

Let us know what you find out.

 

[hammer24]

UPDATE:
Mr. Beard and the guys at the CMP forum had a lot of info. The rifle seems to be an oddball, as nobody to this point has seen an 03a3 with a similar stamp. Many m1903s had this mark carved in to the stocks by the Nationalist Chinese, though. Federal ordnance imported a bunch of these m1903s in the 80s, and just about all of them were in really rough shape. This rifle was most likely rebuilt at some point, due to its exceptional condition, and possibly received on Taiwan after the civil war. That is just a hypothesis though. Here is a link to the thread over at CMP with quite a bit more info.

Chinese 03-A3? - CMP Forums