Smith Corona 03-A3 Sporterized .30-06 Bolt-Action Rifle, 24-Inch Barrel, 1944 Production
Built in the final 1944 Smith Corona serial block, this 03-A3 combines wartime pedigree with a classic mid-century sporter conversion. Fewer than 235,000 03-A3 rifles left the Smith Corona factory, and this example retains its original two-groove military barrel while adding period-correct hunting upgrades such as a Monte Carlo walnut stock, swept-back bolt handle, and Weaver scope base. It delivers the proven .30-06 chambering in a full-size, bolt-action package that balances collectible scarcity with field-ready utility.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are noticeable handling marks on the walnut stock and on several metal surfaces from previous use. The bore retains good shine and clear rifling consistent with its 1944 manufacture date.
What’s Included
- Weaver-style scope base block (installed on front receiver bridge)
This rifle starts with an authentic Smith Corona 03-A3 receiver, part of the scarce final wartime production run. Collectors appreciate the limited Smith Corona output compared to Remington, and the 4836 XXX serial range confirms 1944 manufacture.
The original 24-inch straight-taper war-emergency barrel remains in place, likely the two-groove pattern common to late-war Smith Corona guns. It wears a polished blue finish that matches the receiver, while the bolt body is left in-the-white and fitted with a swept-back sporting handle for improved scope clearance.
A 1960s–1970s era Monte Carlo walnut stock defines the sporter profile. The gloss-finished wood incorporates a cheek-piece, pistol grip, black plastic forend tip with cream/off white spacer, matching spacer behind the grip cap, and a ventilated Pachmayr cream/off white line recoil pad. Length of pull measures a comfortable 14 inches, and sling-swivel studs are factory installed.
Sighting options include a micrometer-adjustable receiver aperture rear sight paired with a ramp front bead, giving precise iron-sight capability. The receiver is drilled and tapped, and the included Weaver base lets the new owner mount a scope without further modification.
Chambered in .30-06 Springfield and feeding from the original 4+1 internal magazine, this sporterized 03-A3 offers reliable bolt-action operation on the familiar Mauser-inspired platform while preserving a piece of WWII manufacturing history.