My "new" 1903

[ldickersonc]

I'm thinking a soft bristled toothbrush, or the kind of brush issued in M16 cleaning kits, nothing metallic at all, and some CLP. I know the finish will be damaged, but this should keep from going down to bare metal. What do you guys think?

[Mike D]

Take it easy with some #0000 steel wool and lubricant. You won't hurt it.

[Alvin Linden]

Buy a tube of Flitz polish. Use very sparingly with a soft clean cloth. It will remove the surface rust without disturbing any finish underneath. The stuff is miraculous. I have used it on rifles worth $8-$10,000, it will not damage the finish if you go slow! Finish with a coat of Renaisance wax [both items are available at Brownell's] to preserve the finish, beats oil hands down! Good Luck Jerry

[Johnny Peppers]

Careful with the Flitz polish. Even though it is advertised as being non abrasive, it is. It's abrasive particles happens to fall below what the government classifies as an abrasive, so it isn't abrasive by virtue of a technicality.

[ldickersonc]

Is there any way to get some kind of paperwork to authenticate what this is in the future? I dont plan on selling or trading, but if I do I'd like to get as much as I can.

[Mike D]

That might be hard. You can try the CMP, but like Johnny said, it's not in the DCM sales list. It is seven digits away from a NM in the SRS book, and there are nothing but NM's in that serial # range. If you so sell it, put it on auction with ALOT of good photos, and you will have no problem proving it is a NM.

$2500 starting bid will get you an idea of what it is worth.