Correct Bolt for Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter

[John Beard]

Your rifle is a National Match rifle Style "NB". It is not an N.B.A. Sporter. Thanks for the extra pictures.

Stay safe.

J.B.

[Tom Jackson]

I have a M1903 NM with "B" stock, headless cocking piece, reverse safety and Lyman sights - serial number 1273742/barrel date "9-26" that is documented in the Mallory's DCM sales records. My rifle also has a "J5" bolt that is electro-penciled with the full serial number. The M1903 NM B stock rifles are scarce - I have owned two and have seen one or two others in 30 years of collecting M1903 rifles. The documentation makes your rifle very desirable. I think that the checkering and butt cap probably reduce the value of the rifle by at least $500. I see a lot of nice M1903s sell at Rock Island Auction Company. Rock Island usually gets top prices (at least when I am bidding). However, 1903 prices have been falling steadily for the last several years. M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in 98% condition have been selling in the $3000 range recently which is down about 50% from the highs of five or six years ago. Rifles with Style B stocks are very scarce but they don't seem to sell for a lot more than M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in the same condition. I recommend selling a rifle like yours thru a recognized auction house - in my experience the 15% seller's premium companies like Rock Island charge is worth the additional exposure. In additional you will not have to deal with idiots who try and tell you the bolt is not correct to beat you down in price.

[Cosine26]

From the DCM Page of the January 1927 issue of the American Rifleman

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From 1930 Rifleman

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FWIW

[Cosine26]

From the 1931 American Rifleman 1931
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FWIW

[John Beard]

I recommend selling a rifle like yours thru a recognized auction house - in my experience the 15% seller's premium companies like Rock Island charge is worth the additional exposure. In additional you will not have to deal with idiots who try and tell you the bolt is not correct to beat you down in price.

Tom,

Does Rock Island Auction charge a seller's commission in addition to the 15% buyer's premium? And if so, do you know how much it is? Are they negotiable on the seller's commission? Just curious. A good friend recently had a very unfavorable experience with another auction house. Please advise.

Thanks! And stay safe!!!

J.B.

[Lt.AldoRaine]

I have a M1903 NM with "B" stock, headless cocking piece, reverse safety and Lyman sights - serial number 1273742/barrel date "9-26" that is documented in the Mallory's DCM sales records. My rifle also has a "J5" bolt that is electro-penciled with the full serial number. The M1903 NM B stock rifles are scarce - I have owned two and have seen one or two others in 30 years of collecting M1903 rifles. The documentation makes your rifle very desirable. I think that the checkering and butt cap probably reduce the value of the rifle by at least $500. I see a lot of nice M1903s sell at Rock Island Auction Company. Rock Island usually gets top prices (at least when I am bidding). However, 1903 prices have been falling steadily for the last several years. M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in 98% condition have been selling in the $3000 range recently which is down about 50% from the highs of five or six years ago. Rifles with Style B stocks are very scarce but they don't seem to sell for a lot more than M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in the same condition. I recommend selling a rifle like yours thru a recognized auction house - in my experience the 15% seller's premium companies like Rock Island charge is worth the additional exposure. In additional you will not have to deal with idiots who try and tell you the bolt is not correct to beat you down in price.

Tom,

Thanks for the info. One other thing, the rifle has a "8-32" barrel date, it's SA with the NM star. Obviously, the barrel was changed, how much does that affect the value?

Thank you,
Chris

[mark1]

Rock Island does charge the seller a commission. BUT you can negotiate this charge and if you have a large collection or some very unique firearms they have eliminated the commission. Times are hard for auction houses and they want you business.