Need advice

[Calfed]

I picked up a low serial number Rock Island M1903 today





I know there are issues involved in shooting these things. Do they have any value to collectors as is? Or is their main value as a parts donor?

I have a high number barreled receiver that I got from CMP way back when.



I could :
A) keep this as is as a collectors item
B) Keep it as is and shoot it , probably with low power, cast bullet loads
C) graft the high number (S/N 867855) receiver on to this (the barrel that came from CMP is a rusty mess).

What do you guys think?

Information

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[bb1]

There is no way to tell. The problem with the low number rifles was that the heat treatment was done by the seat of the pants method. It was found that on bright sunny days, the ovens were allowed to get as much as 400 degrees hotter. On some actions, the steel was burnt. The strength was ruined. On most of them, they were fine. I imagine that the hardness could be checked by Rockwell, Brinell or what ever. The government tested them to destruction. If they passed, it was still too late to do you any good.
My recomendation is to flip a coin. When the coin is in the air, sometimes you realize what you really want to do.

[Calfed]

I guess my real question is whether these low number rifles have intrinsic collector value if they are original and in good shape--even if their safety is questionable?

I know that I'll have to wait till I actually receive the rifle (got it at an online auction) to know how original and in what condition it is in, but if original and if in good shape, might it be a mistake to start swapping receivers around to make it a safe shooter?

[Jeff L]

From what I can tell, the bolt and trigger guard are not correct for the receiver. I would guess the same for the barrel, probably a WW2 barrel date. At least the mag cut off doesn't appear to indicate it was a drill rifle. The condition looks ROTC or maybe VFW. Looks like Swordbuyer special.

-Jeff L

[Calfed]

The condition looks ROTC or maybe VFW. Looks like Swordbuyer special.

-Jeff L

"Swordbuyer special" ?

[Jeff L]

Swordbuyer is a dealer on the gun auctions that sells a lot of drill rifles. Many times they're not correctly graded as poor (rusty POS).

-Jeff L

[Calfed]

Nah--got this from an online estate sale Don't think it was Swordbuyer.

Thought it was worth the $250 that I bid for it--but maybe I outsmarted myself

Thanks for the advice.

Steve

[Lancebear]

Calfed,

Glad you didn't spend too much. The stock might be pretty good under the gunk. Looks like it is a Remington or Smith Corona 03A3. Ya' can tell by the front cut for the lower band spring, square or round. Don't know which is which. The money in that rifle is probably in the stock if there are no cracks or major problems. Maybe the barrel is good also. Receiver is a problem.

You'd probably do best by cleanin' it up and hanging it on the wall or part it out. Might be some good money in the bolt if it is a rare one and is fit. I wouldn't put any money into it. Your other receiver is a late low number SA.
High numbers for SA's sorta' start at 900,000 and maybe a bit earlier. The big wheels will chime in on that I hope.

Good luck,

LB

[Calif-Steve]

You have a SA 867,xxx high number receiver/barrel combo. Swap out the parts from the Rock Island and you have a nice shooter/keeper. That RIA receiver looks beat and it is a low number. Nice in the parts box. By the way the high numbers (SA) begin at 800,000.

[Calfed]

800,000 is the number I've always heard and it was sold to me by CMP as a "high number" receiver. (still not sure why i bought it)

The barrel attached to the receiver is a rusty POS, so hopefully the barrel on the RIA is better. But it will take some gunsmithing from chuck in denver to make the swap