What type ? A heavy barrel 1903 rifle

[Promo]

It might be that this rifle was purchased from Cabelas for resale. I didn't look up what the selling price at RIA was, but I found this: http://www.cabelas.com/product/gun-l...8-/2028230.uts

The barrel might also be a Winchester barrel. Removing it from the stock could probably unveil additional markings on the barrel.

[Fast996]

It might be that this rifle was purchased from Cabelas for resale. I didn't look up what the selling price at RIA was, but I found this: http://www.cabelas.com/product/gun-l...8-/2028230.uts

The barrel might also be a Winchester barrel. Removing it from the stock could probably unveil additional markings on the barrel.

The rifle sold in Febuary at RIA for about 3900.00 The sales person said to me it was brought in by a individual. You never know what you may find at Cabelas,both good and bad because most appraisers over there don't know half of what they need to..

If that barrel is a winchester I don't know if it would be roll marked. And if it is not a Springfield I would think with no provenance this gun might be worth maybe 2500+- and that's if it hasn't been cut (stock),if so maybe 2250.00

Another thing,the screws all look very good, I don't think this rifle has been a part. Rock Island never had it a part,which I find the lack of detail in their listing strange and certainly Cabelas hasn't either. There should be either a part # marking on the underside of the barrel hidden buy the forearm wood or a 4 digit star gauge code.

Here's RI grading.....NA NEW: all original parts; 99% or more original finish.
NB EXCELLENT: near new condition 95% - 98%, used but little, no noticeable marring of wood or metal, bluing near perfect (some wear at muzzle or sharp edges can be expected).
NC FINE: All original finish 90% - 94% or better, some dings in wood wear commensurable with percent of finish.
ND VERY GOOD: in working condition, 80% finish or better.

The gun was graded ND which is better than 80 pct and original. So it will be interesting to see this gun in hand.

[Fast996]

Ok I finally talked to a person that knows a little about this rifle. This rifle was bought at Auction buy a Cabelas buyer. The manager collects Springfields and he says that the gun is original,not a parts gun,it hasn't been cut or altered,it is a match action. He said the bluing looks factory. I asked him if the barrel was a Springfield and he thought is was. This does look like a style T,but the serial # is later than 1930. It is a 28 inch barrel and in another post Cosine26 commented that by 1931 the 28's were gone. Just hoping that somebody here that knows about these Springfields can shed further light. If it is a armory gun I would guess that somebody other than the DCM sold and ordered it. Like I said it is not on the SRS list.

Just a question...should I have the stock taken off to check what marks are on the barrel? I ask because the rifle looks to be never taken a part before. Thanks

One little comment...the manager said when the rifle came in customers would just stare at it and ask what it was..he said it was a really impressive looking rifle.

[Promo]

Sorry, my English was not correct - not my mother language .. I wanted to express that Cabelas most probably bought the rifle at Rock Island Auction, and then putting it up for sale on their site.

This however leads me to two questionable points:
- If they bought it for $3900 (is that already with the buyer's premium?), why would they then sell it for only $3,999? That would only make $99 profit for them, which is VERY little and not worth the effort
- If the store manager is - as you said - a M1903 collector himself: why doesn't he keeps the rifle for his own collection? What would make him first buy the rifle, and then shortly afterwards sell it again?

To me this more appears that they/he thought he had made a good buy, but then finding out something which he wasn't prepared for, and now hoping to limit their (potential) loss to sell the item as close as possible as to their wholesale price.

Edit: If I were considering to invest $4,000 on a rifle which can be suspicious, I'd definately be expecting to have it disassembled (better by one of their employees, so you're not responsible for any damages which could be done in this step).

[browningautorifle]

- If they bought it for $3900 (is that already with the buyer's premium?), why would they then sell it for only $3,999? That would only make $99 profit for them, which is VERY little and not worth the effort
- If the store manager is - as you said - a M1903 collector himself: why doesn't he keeps the rifle for his own collection? What would make him first buy the rifle, and then shortly afterwards sell it again?

To me this more appears that they/he thought he had made a good buy, but then finding out something which he wasn't prepared for, and now hoping to limit their (potential) loss to sell the item as close as possible as to their wholesale price.

All valid points. And they all make sense to me.

[Fast996]

Sorry, my English was not correct - not my mother language .. I wanted to express that Cabelas most probably bought the rifle at Rock Island Auction, and then putting it up for sale on their site.

This however leads me to two questionable points:
- If they bought it for $3900 (is that already with the buyer's premium?), why would they then sell it for only $3,999? That would only make $99 profit for them, which is VERY little and not worth the effort
- If the store manager is - as you said - a M1903 collector himself: why doesn't he keeps the rifle for his own collection? What would make him first buy the rifle, and then shortly afterwards sell it again?

To me this more appears that they/he thought he had made a good buy, but then finding out something which he wasn't prepared for, and now hoping to limit their (potential) loss to sell the item as close as possible as to their wholesale price.

Edit: If I were considering to invest $4,000 on a rifle which can be suspicious, I'd definately be expecting to have it disassembled (better by one of their employees, so you're not responsible for any damages which could be done in this step).

You are exactly right. I must have had "gun fever" because I checked the description on the gun late last night and the LOP is listed as "13". This is even though I had 3 managers tell me the gun was unaltered. Would I pay 4,000 for a cut gun? After collecting Winchesters that discipline tought me never buy a "cut" gun. I don't know if these shotgun stocked type Springfields are considered different. That being said I will look at the gun and ask if the tech there can remove the stock,given the gun I doubt they will. If the gun is a true style T barrel then I might consider it,but not at the $4,000 that they have in the gun....maybe $2500 to 3000 but knowing the Cabelas culture,the current manager will not take the 800.00 hit. Thanks

p.s. Rock Island never mentioned that the stock had been altered,strange because they usually vet their guns very well.

[sdh1911]

The serial # is late for a "T" style, but anything is possible with these. The parts for the most part are correct, except looking at the rear butt cap, it shows sloppy fitting due to stock What appears to be shrinkage? I used to build these from correct parts and mark them SDH on the stock, if you see that its worth about 1/3rd book value....SDH1911

[Phil McGrath]

My 1.47 03a1 also has the little tick mark in the receiver rail, so don't get too excited thinking its NM only because its not, mine is just a std. Service Rifle.