Smith Corona 03-A3 1903A3 Mann Accuracy Device Blue 22" Heavy Barrel 7.62 NATO Bolt Action 1943Our Assessment: When the US Army was looking for a rifle design to replace the 1898 Krag rifle, they looked directly at the Spanish Model 1893 Mauser. This was due to the fact that the performance of the Model 1893 Mauser was far superior than that of the 1898 Krag during the Spanish-American War. The Model 1903 is basically a redesigned Mauser clone. A U.S. Patent Court eventually found that the U.S. Army had violated Mauser's patents and required the U.S. Army to pay the German Mauser manufacturers patent royalties. Payments were stopped once WWI started. The 1903 has a strong reliable action that served the Army for over thirty years in two world wars.This Smith Corona 1903A3 is in Mann Accuracy Device configuration. It is chambered in 7.62 NATO. These Accuracy Devices were used by the U.S. Ordnance Department and commercial ammunition manufacturers to test ammunition for accuracy. There were not many of these devices chambered for this cartridge. It has a 1971 dated heavy barrel installed and the bolt is hand scribed with the serial number. This a Rare testing variation of the 1903A3 that will add nicely to your military collection.
Make: Smith Corona
Model: 1903A3 Mann Accuracy Device Configuration
Serial Number: 4798556
Year of Manufacture: 1943. Converted in 1971.
Caliber: 7.62 NATO (7.62x51mm)
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Barrel Length: 22 Inches. The extra heavy barrel measures 1.25 inches in diameter.
Sights / Optics: There are no iron sights. The rear sight base is intact.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock has been cut down to Mann Accuracy Device configuration. It shows scrapes & scratches. The grip has lost some surface wood. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized & Blue
Finish Originality: Original to Conversion
Bore Condition: The grooves are semi bright. The rifling is sharp & deep. There is fouling in the bore that should clean up some. There is some light oxidation near the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.5. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, scratches, and light discoloration from oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads show substantial use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: The safety is stuck in the FIRE position. We did not try to force it. The action functions otherwise. We did not fire this rifle. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic's check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
CA LEGALITY: CA Classified C&R: YES. PPT: NO
RIFLE