OG Stamped M1903-A3s

[nehalemguy]

Short version ....If you find a Remington or Smith Corona M1903-A3 with an unboxed "OG" cartouche on the left side of the buttstock, slow down and take a closer look. You are likely looking at an unissued rifle.

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[F2CMaDMaXX]

Made me go in the safe to check my Remington, no OG on mine

 

[nehalemguy]

Long version............

During WW2 both Remington and Smith-Corona had contracts to produce M1903-A3s for the U.S. government. However, by late 1943, M1 Garand production by Springfield Armory and Winchester was meeting or exceeding the demand for the Garand. By late '43 the two producers were cranking out a new M1 every 30 seconds.

The effect of that high M1 production was that the 03-A3s were not really needed for the war effort. Both the Remington and Smith-Corona contracts were canceled in early 1944 and production ceased by the end of February. Many of the excess rifles went straight into storage at the Ogden Arsenal (source: Bruce Canfield) where they were checked in, given the "OG" stamp, and crated up for storage.

Some years later, these rifles were declared surplus and began being sold off thru the DCM and other outlets. All those unissued, basically new and correct, rifles were slowly released out to the public where they can still be found today.

More later....

 

[nehalemguy]

Parts are interchangeable between Remington and S-C rifles, but there are differences in finish and markings. Remington stamped many of the small parts with a small "R". Smith-Corona on the other hand left most parts unmarked.

All 03-A3s in original condition will have parkerized front sight bases, barrels, and receivers. Bolts will always be blued. In addition, Smith-Corona parkerized the magazine floorplates and trigger guards, stacking swivel, bayonet band, firing pin cocking rod, and the safety. The remaining small parts were blued.

Remington floor plate on the left. Smith-Corona on the right. Note the difference of the stamping behind the front screw. Straight crease on the Remington and curved "smiley face" on the S-C.



Both manufacturers stamped their barrels directly behind the front sight with either "RC" or "SC", the flaming grenade, and then the date the barrel was proofed. Remington must have continued to manufacture replacement barrels after rifle production had stopped. It is not hard to find surplus Remington barrels still in the wrap with late 1944 proof dates, even though rifle production had stopped in mid-February.

 

[nehalemguy]

Front bayonet bands and stacking swivels. Blued Remington on top and parkerized S-C on the bottom.

 

[nehalemguy]

The stock cut-out for the lower band spring is another difference between the two manufacturers. Remington's cut-out was square on the right side while the S-C cut-out was round. Both company's lower bands were blued.

 

[nehalemguy]

Both Remington and S-C rifles left the factory with the straight grip stocks. If you see a 1903-A3 with a stock that has any type of pistol grip, it is a replacement stock.

Remington used stock reinforcement bolts while S-C used reinforcing screws. Both stocks will have the "FJA" cartouche and ordnance wheel. In addition, Remington stamped "RA" for Remington Arms on their rifles.

 

[nehalemguy]

The magazine cut-off is where you can see another difference between the two manufacturers. Early and mid-production Smith-Coronas had a cut-off that was polished bright on the "ON" side. Remington used blued cut-offs throughout production. The polished cut-offs do occasionally show up on late-production S-C rifles but both companies were using blued cut-offs toward the end of production.

 

[Moeca]

Great info and nice write up to share it! In all my reading and research I don't remember seeing the info on the OG stamp. It's a very interesting rifle family to research and learn.

I do have a soft spot for the Springfields my wife calls it a problem. I call it saving the history. The number of them is almost embarrassing but the sure are pretty!

 

[1911Fanatic]

We have an SC serial number places it as mfg in 1944. The barrel has 4 lands and grooves..no OG stamp though. It has a little wear.

 

[nehalemguy]

I don't remember seeing the info on the OG stamp. It's a very interesting rifle family to research and learn.

There is also a boxed OG stamp as well, but I have only observed it on rifles that have been arsenal rebuilt.

-E-

 

[Mark W.]

One of the firearms I regret selling the most back when I was a starving Custom Knifemaker that had to pay the electric bill. Was my original condition Smith Corona O3-A3 And the price I got for it now just makes me cry.

 

[nehalemguy]

Another difference between Remington and Smith-Corona is the butt plates. Both companies used blued plates but had different checkering patterns on the rear of the plate. Smith-Corona on the left. Remington on the right.

 

[rockicker]

Very cool details. Thank you for sharing them.

 

[gmerkt]

There is also a boxed OG stamp as well, but I have only observed it on rifles that have been arsenal rebuilt.

There is also an OGEK, the last two letters standing for Elmer Keith, inspector. I had one of these on a Model 1917 US Rifle.

 

[the apprentice]

Short version ....If you find a Remington or Smith Corona M1903-A3 with an unboxed "OG" cartouche on the left side of the buttstock, slow down and take a closer look. You are likely looking at an unissued rifle.

View attachment 2161411

Nehalem:
Bought a Smith Corona about 35 years ago looks brand new with the OG stamp even picked up a 1911a1 with the OG good information thank you for sharing:

EFB0D09D-3C74-45C8-B0B9-AC2D37D6D07B by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

2DFBAAAB-AC0E-4DE1-9FAE-E1C10F7828A9 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

A4E4A857-51FA-4BF1-B07F-BA767CC4B111 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr
AC513F9F-F1C8-4B95-A2EF-2FB1BA0A4EF8 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr|
7EBE6221-0DD3-4302-8B21-5843766C6C99 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr
193CF91F-06BA-453C-8517-ADE7C4E411E5 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

 

[1911Fanatic]

Nehalem:
Bought a Smith Corona about 35 years ago looks brand new with the OG stamp even picked up a 1911a1 with the OG good information thank you for sharing:

View attachment 2220032EFB0D09D-3C74-45C8-B0B9-AC2D37D6D07B by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

View attachment 22200332DFBAAAB-AC0E-4DE1-9FAE-E1C10F7828A9 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

View attachment 2220034A4E4A857-51FA-4BF1-B07F-BA767CC4B111 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr
View attachment 2220035AC513F9F-F1C8-4B95-A2EF-2FB1BA0A4EF8 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr|
View attachment 22200367EBE6221-0DD3-4302-8B21-5843766C6C99 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr
View attachment 2220037193CF91F-06BA-453C-8517-ADE7C4E411E5 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

What year is yours? And how many lands and grooves?

 

[nehalemguy]

There is also an OGEK, the last two letters standing for Elmer Keith, inspector. I had one of these on a Model 1917 US Rifle.

Yes, but you have to know which OGEK is who.

There was also an inspector by the name of Ed Klouser at Ogden during the same period. According to John Beard, O.G.E.K. with dots inside a rectangle box was Elmer. OGEK sans dots with no box was Ed.

-E-

 

[nehalemguy]

Nehalem:
Bought a Smith Corona about 35 years ago looks brand new with the OG stamp even picked up a 1911a1 with the OG good information thank you for sharing:

View attachment 2220032EFB0D09D-3C74-45C8-B0B9-AC2D37D6D07B by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

View attachment 22200332DFBAAAB-AC0E-4DE1-9FAE-E1C10F7828A9 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

View attachment 2220034A4E4A857-51FA-4BF1-B07F-BA767CC4B111 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr
View attachment 2220035AC513F9F-F1C8-4B95-A2EF-2FB1BA0A4EF8 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr|
View attachment 22200367EBE6221-0DD3-4302-8B21-5843766C6C99 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr
View attachment 2220037193CF91F-06BA-453C-8517-ADE7C4E411E5 by Jeff Lee, on Flickr

That A3 looks nice! What make is the 1911A1?

-E-

 

[orygun]

In the early 60's Dad belonged to the Estacada Rod and Gun club. Many of the members had bought what he described as "brand New". So, Dad goes thru the process and bought one, but his wasn't "brand new" and he was a little disappointed. He said it was more accurate than the "new" guns, so he felt a little better.
How many groove barrel do these OG guns have?