M1903A3 Springfield
Remington Arms · Rifle · Discontinued · 1942
Also known as: Model 1903A3, Springfield 1903A3, U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1903A3
Overview
The M1903A3 Springfield is a bolt-action rifle, a World War II production-simplified version of the venerable M1903 Springfield chambered in .30-06 Springfield. Adopted in 1942 and manufactured chiefly by Remington Arms and the Smith-Corona typewriter company, it replaced machined components with stamped parts to speed wartime output and substituted the original leaf-type tangent rear sight with a sturdy receiver-mounted aperture (peep) sight, improving practical accuracy. It served alongside the M1 Garand as a substitute-standard service rifle, drill rifle, and sniper platform throughout WWII.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3940 g (139.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1097 mm (43.19") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 823 m/s (2700 fps) |
| Effective Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 4100 m (4484 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 2 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .30-06 Springfield · primary — also known as 30-06, .30-06 Sprg, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Two Position Safety
- Features: Receiver Mounted Aperture Sight, Stripper Clip Loading, Stamped Parts, Mauser Type Bolt
Variants
- M1903A4 Springfield — Sniper
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1942 · as M1903A3
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1942 · as M1903A3
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Production years: 1942-1944
Produced primarily by Remington Arms and Smith-Corona; part of total M1903-family production exceeding 3 million rifles across all variants.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Springfield Armory
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
The A3 differed from earlier M1903s mainly in its use of stamped metal parts and a rear receiver-mounted peep sight. Its accurized sibling, the M1903A4, served the US military as a sniper rifle into the 1960s.
Background
When the United States entered World War II, M1 Garand production could not yet equip the entire force, so the older bolt-action M1903 was rushed back into mass production. The A3 simplification (stamped parts and a robust receiver peep sight) was the wartime expedient that kept this 1903-era design fighting through 1945.