1903-A4 found for cheap

[warhwkbb]

I just wanted to brag a little. Who says there are no great deals at gunshows. While admiring an old Savage 99 in 250-3000, I noticed a sporterized 1903 springfield. I know they are almost a dime a dozen. Before I left, I happened to look at the receiver stampings and I noticed they were upside down. So I made an offer. He was asking $275 and I took him down to $225

I'm fairly certain this is one of the rare 1903-A4 models. Besides the upside down receiver markings, it also had the "Flaming Arsenal" stamp on the front of the barrel which is stamped 7-44.

The rifle stock was a hideous Monte Carlo with an ill-fitting recoil pad. Gibbs Rifle Co has the repro M73G2 scope and bases available, and the rest of the hardware and stock can be purchased from Numrich. I think I put together a real 04-A4 for less then $700

Did I do ok?

 

[leadcounsel]

Were you at the Puyallup WAC show today.

I handled a very nice sporterized 1903-A3 with a tapco scope. He wanted $225. I didn't think it would get snapped up so I left it for an hour. Then it was gone.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Hard to tell from that photo but the receiver looks like it has been scrubbed and I don't see any scope mount provisions.

 

[clamman]

A bigger picture would help. Also, you better pay them bills! They is a stackin' up!

 

[warhwkbb]

On second thought...

Here are some better pictures of both sides of the receiver. Probably not an A4 but some weird markings none the less. All A3's I have seen have "Remington 1903-A3" stamped on the left side, this says "NATL ORD" from El Monte, CA on the right.


Leadcounsel, I was at the Puyallup show on Sunday, but did not see the scoped '03 you mentioned.

 

[gandog56]

You lost me as it being a good deal as soon as you used the term, "sporterized" That means the gun has almost NO value left to me.

 

[paintballdude902]

back when i worked for an electrician (after quitting college and waiting for basic) i was working in an out building at a hog farm. and came across cans of linked .30-06 ap and tracer rounds and an 03 springfield. i tried to buy it off that old man for hours. turns out his brother had been a gunsmith and when he died he never touched any of his stuff. made me sad to see the rust forming on it

 

[mstreddy]

this says "NATL ORD" from El Monte, CA

That makes it a non military issue rifle. From what I understand Nat'l Ord built up their own receivers with a mix bag of GI parts. There are some that don't think too highly of them, and there are some that mention issues with the receivers not being true to spec.
You might want to research it before plunking serious cash for the stock and parts from Gibbs. You may also want to check the CMP, they have some very nice repro stocks for around $170.

I have one of these also, and compared to my military variants, there are some differences in the feel, fit, and look to them.

Eddy M

 

[Orlando]

Hate to tell you but what you have is a commercial cast receiver. From what I have been told there werent that many of the National Ordanance made as they had issues and were prone to failure
Many will recommend against firing it

 

[Slimbo]

I picked up an 03 a year ago for 4, '29 Springfield receiver, hs barrel etc...