1903a4 on GB opinions

[xarmor]

I am looking to add a 1903a4 to the stable and have been considering this one. The only thing that bothers me is the cartouches on the stock. I can see a faint FJA under the sharply struck FJA and it is missing the RA. I know some very early rifles did not have the RA but the parts shown indicate it may be a later rifle. I am going to PM the owner and see if he will send pics of inspector stamps, bolt cutout barrel date and SN. It looks to have a large bow trigger guard and the late version of the 73b1. I believe the buttstock also has a faint RIA rebuild stamp, stock looks to have been sanded imho. Scope covers are probably repros. Not sure what the reserve is, any other opinions would be helpful. Thanks.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=148331543

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[three0three]

I am looking to add a 1903a4 to the stable and have been considering this one. The only thing that bothers me is the cartouches on the stock. I can see a faint FJA under the sharply struck FJA and it is missing the RA. I know some very early rifles did not have the RA but the parts shown indicate it may be a later rifle. I am going to PM the owner and see if he will send pics of inspector stamps, bolt cutout barrel date and SN. It looks to have a large bow trigger guard and the late version of the 73b1. I believe the buttstock also has a faint RIA rebuild stamp, stock looks to have been sanded imho. Scope covers are probably repros. Not sure what the reserve is, any other opinions would be helpful. Thanks.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=148331543

after all those years, the sling aged but the scope covers did not? this may mean the scope is repro also, I don't know about A4s anymore ever since they started reproing them using cheap parts and possible time bomb receivers. there are just to many varibles to buy online

[Johnny Peppers]

The stock has been sanded pretty hard as evidenced by the rounded edges of the cutoff recess and the stock bolt, yet the cartouches are very sharp with all the fine detail. Doesn't look real to me. I bet with some strong light you could see remnants of the original markings.

[three0three]

with the BIN price at 3k the reserve is probably no to far behind that. I would tell him to send it to a collector of your choice to authenticate it and if its the real deal you'll cover the bill.

[Chuckindenver]

rifle is ok, without seeing the serial number range, hard to say if the stock is original.
it is an early C stock, used on the first 1000 A4,s made, and common to see a sanded stock with sharp markings.
Springfield provided all the C stock for the first group of A4,s.
rifle is a rebuild, base, and rings seem correct.
heres my only issue...
if i want to get 3 grand for anything, a used dog collar, or a high dollar rifle.
id post as many pictures, as i could, showing every detail about the unique things of the rifle, dates, markings , scratches, ect...
also, didnt notice a 3 day inspection...and only shipping to an FFL, the rifle is C&R ok..
that rifle might actually fetch the price of 3 grand with good pics, better dicription, and a realistic starting bid..
with respect to the seller, GB doesnt offer a staight buy it now price auction,
only a Dutch, and reserve and no reserve style..they really need to change this.
and the forever relist on guns, not sold..frustrating to see the same high priced guns, for weeks and weeks, with no bids.

[Johnny Peppers]

Where is the RA if the stock was sanded but didn't touch the FJA or crossed cannon cartouche? There appears to be another stock marking on the left side of the butt stock in the 3rd picture that didn't survive the heavy sanding. Also has mixed blue and phosphate small parts that should be all blue.

[RBruce]

There is an old FJA under the new FJA stamp. The old F is partially covered by the new J, the old J is partially covered by the A, and the old A is just to the left of the new ordnance stamp. The old FJA appears to be larger than the new one. It appears that the stock have been re-stamped with repro stamps.

[P.W.Browning]

New stamps, and bad ones at that. It would have been better to have left the stock as-is, with the new stamps the value just dropped to near firewood

That Ordnance Wheel is just pitiful.

Clearly repro scope caps, and not because of the age or lack of wear, but the construction is wrong.

That being said...it still may be a good foundation for a restoration.

-Patrick

[xarmor]

There is an old FJA under the new FJA stamp. The old F is partially covered by the new J, the old J is partially covered by the A, and the old A is just to the left of the new ordnance stamp. The old FJA appears to be larger than the new one. It appears that the stock have been re-stamped with repro stamps.

That was my thinking. There is an old FJA and the rebuild cartouche on the buttstock is almost gone. If the rifle was in the first 1000 or so I would not expect to see an RA marking but I would also not expect to see 2 FJA stamps (obviously not double struck). With the exceptioin of the stock and scope covers the rest of the rifle looks ok to me, but I won't know for sure until I get the SN and barrel date. Thanks for all of the input.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

RBruce,

The photo in Johnny's post was to show the difference of the metal finishes and not a photo of the gun for sale. I thought the same thing at first too.

Agreed the stock markings are re-stamps in the example showing the correct metal finishes.