Springfield M1903 questions....

[Slimbo]

Found one at my local cabelas for 500, the finish on the stock is pretty decent, on the metal (except for the barrel) the finish is gone but it's not pitted, barrel marked 44, honestly don't remember the month. The serial on the receiver puts it being built in '29 from what I have found. I'm going to take a look at it more thuroughly probably later tonight to get a little more info together on it. Taking a bore light and a '06 round with me. What specifics should I look for other than normal barrel wear? The stock is arsenal stamped on the left side but I don't recall right now which it's marked with. Guesstimates? I'm thinking I'll offer 400 pending barrel condition.

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

I dont see 03's at gunstores too often. They are great guns. I own an 03' A3. If the barrel is good id say 400 would be a great price. Orignial stock or a sporter?

 

[Slimbo]

Original stock, doesn't look like its in too bad of shape, the two little claw looking pieces that point up on the foreend on the right are a bit miss aligned with the wood but it's not horrible looking. I'm going to eat and shower then head down to get a better look at it. I've been wanting one for a while and like you said I never see them in any of my local stores. They have this one for 5 and an A3 for 9? I believe it was. If they will deal and take 4 for it I'll be all over it, if not I'll probably have to pass.

 

[1KPerDay]

IF the barrel's good, $400-500 sounds good, judging on your description of the condition.

I paid $600ish for mine, but they look basically new, metal wise.

 

[Slimbo]

thats what i was figuring, hopefully they'll take my "i'll do 400 right now, that way you dont have to take it off hold and put it back on the rack" bait.

 

[Slimbo]

got it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Pics ASAP!

 

[Slimbo]

it was cleaner than i thought it was.

 

[Jim Watson]

Kind of a mixmaster, the action is from the 1929 Springfield range at
http://www.bowersweapons.com/US MODEL 1903 RIFLE SERIAL NUMBER RANGES.htm

The stock stamp is for Rock Island Armory, Frank Krack, 1920-1930 per
http://m1903.com/isstamps.htm

And the barrel is a November 1944 High Standard.

But still a good looking example of the type.
At least none of the "low number" business to scare you out of shooting it.

 

[Slimbo]

yep, its definitely going to get fired, if the weather stays good tomorrow after i get off work i'll be hitting the creek bottoms to put it through its paces.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Nice looking 03. Just don't be fooled into thinking that it will be worth a mint or anything. I personally would never have parted with more than $250 for a mix master. Even with as fine an example as that is, it's of no value except to someone with little knowledge of them and plenty of "spare" bucks.

 

[solman]

I thought most of these were overhauled at some point and mixed parts are to be expected.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I thought most of these were overhauled at some point and mixed parts are to be expected.

They were Solman. Thats why I laugh so hard when I see so many people crying their eyes out when I, or someone else, sporterize an 03. I guess they don't realize that 75% of these so called "historical" rifles were factory reconditioned with new barrels, stocks, and whatever else needed replacement so any real collectible value is in the crapper.

 

[ball3006]

It has a High Standard barrel. Those are good replacement barrels. My 03 Mk1 has one and is a great shooter. You did good......chris3

 

[1KPerDay]

So how's the bore/MW look?

 

[Slimbo]

Good as far as I'm concerned, picking up ammo now to go run some rounds through it.

 

[BrocLuno]

Yeah, with an HS barrel - if it shoots, it'll be good for club comp

Nice catch - I think for that price it's a better example than you'd get out of CMP if they even had any

 

[Slimbo]

Well I didn't get to make it to an actual range. But... I did get an impromptu tupperware killing session in. More to follow this weekend if the weather holds off, crossing fingers and toes.

 

[bigedp51]

A rub down with 50/50 raw linseed oil and turpentine with some heat from a hair drier or lamp will work wonders on the stock. In 1943 tung oil was approved for use on U.S. military weapons.

 

[Murphy4570]

That's a damn fine rifle for that price.