Posted: 7/19/2001 11:35:21 AM EDT
| ARlady and I are in the market for an M1903A3. Her grandfather used one during WWII. I have been told that some of the earlier version have weaker receivers and are dangerous due to improper heat treat. Does anyone which serial numbers denote the early models? |
| The heat-treatment problem you refer to exists in the 1903 models only. 1903A3 models ALL have the double heat-treatment, and are safe in that respect. Model 1903 actions with s/n above 800,000 (Springfield mfr.) and above 285,507 (Rock Island mfr.) recieved the double heat-treatment and are safe in that respect. |
| The weaker receivers were in the early original 1903 models. the heat treat problem was solved sometime during ww1 i think. the 1903a3 type was made only during ww2 so by then the receivers were properly heat treated. they're not that expensive and not hard to find at all. HTH |