From Ben's Private Collection - Smith Corona Contract Model 1903-A3 Rifle, 5 Rd Bolt Action, 30/06 Cal, Good/VG Cond, Ser # 4716041 - C& R Eligible

Smith Corona U.S. Military Contract 1903/A3 Rifle. The rifle has definitely been refinished at some point in what appears to be a pretty decent kitchen table refurb job. I say that because it has a high luster finish on the stock that is not at all similar to the original issue finish. It looks good though with only a small ding/scratch on the right-hand side of the stock which I had included in the images. The walnut stock features really nice grain but there are no stampings or cartouches to be found. The barrel features a micro adjustable rear sight along with a blade style front sight and it has the letters S.C. with a flaming bomb stamping and the numbers 8 44 under that stamped on the barrel. Bore shows virtually no use and is bright and shiny with pronounced lands and crisp grooves. There are No Import Marks on this rifle so it must have come from a source here in the U.S. and it is Definitely Not some Frankenstein import re-do. All visible serial numbers on the rifle are matching. Based on the serial # the date of manufacture on this rifle is 1944 so the barrel is probably original to the rifle. There is some surface rust in a few spots like on the stocks crossbolt heads, and the barrel band and sling swivels. I could have cleaned it up, but I didn't want it to appear like I was hiding anything, and I would rather just be honest about it and let the buyer address it. I have had this rifle for over 20 years and when I pulled it out of the safe and looked closely at the rifle it surprised me that I had ever purchased it and held onto it. In later years I have been more discerning. But then I checked the bore and I thought that must have been it.I have always been a sucker for a really good bore.  This rifle is not perfect on the outside (although it's really not bad either), but it has an A-1 bore. Plus it is a Smith Corona. S.C. only produced these in 1943 and 1944. This is a 1944 model. I have priced it accordingly.  The rifle ships in a hard case for maximum protection. This rifle has been represented here through images and description with 100% accuracy as I know it and if you are not comfortable buying it based on this information Do Not Make the Purchase. All sales are final on this rifle. This rifle is C&R Eligible. The back story. Over the last 30 plus years in the gun business I have acquired some really nice surplus firearms. These guns came from Gun Shows, private collections, and private individuals that I have met along the way, as well as, on occasion, what I would deem as the best of a particular lot when it came in here to Classic. Well, all good things must end and at this point in my life it is time to downsize a little and that includes letting go of some of these "Gun Safe Queens" that I have typically only pulled out to clean ever so often. Now don't get me wrong, there was a time when I would not have even considered giving up one of these firearms as they have been very special to me. However, my daughters show no interest in inheriting them, and at this point in my life I've decided that I would rather see them in the hands of folks that would relish them, than to have them to continue sit in a dark safe here at Classic. Each gun from my private collection is unique and they will sell individually by serial #, so when that gun is gone, it is gone and irreplaceable. At least from me. If you no longer see this rifle in inventory, you will know that it has sold.