Springfield blurb for Claven2

Hey mate, As if you didn't already know. The 03 pics are a single lug vintage 1912, a 34 A1 (issued) and the sniper is a prototype straight from Ft Benning Ga.. I'll tell you a short story and hope you don't mind. In the 1983 time frame I had just finished getting my degree in gunsmithing and was also collecting 1903's, I started building 03 parts guns of all different periods and variations and adding them to my collection, now keep in mind the going price was around $300.00 for a nice example and $500.00 for a mint item. I was building them for less than $150.00 and N.M. guns for around $250.00. These guns were text book correct in absolutely every respect, as well as very good shooters. My close fiend Will Elis was engaged in the same pursuits but on a much larger scale. He showed me his logo (MADE IN FT. ELIS) under the handgaurds of all his builds and he would leave the "R" from Property in the roll stamping. So I took his idea and stamped all the guns I built with SDH in the area of the normal Cartuche. Will passed on in the late 1980's around the time I had first injured my back. I had to sell most of my gun's (well over 150). Will's family had taken his guns to auction, however, the auctioneer never included the fact a good deal of his guns were built from parts, These included T style, International match, 1904 date RI in 03 cal etc. I hope the buyers were sharp. Several years ago a California dealer was sell a mint 1924 period N.M. 03 Springfield with an un-known inspector, S.D.H.. I called him to inform him of who S.D.H. was he he told me I was full of, well you get the picture. To this day I watch his stuff and it seems all his items are top shelf and as he describes "original". I wonder how many other fellas are out there doing the same thing. I see this happening with the M1 rifles in mass. This is why I burnt out on U.S. Stuff, most Yanks have no standards. I'm quite happy staying with the milsurp for my own collection, but, I would like to buy a N.M. 1903 with the inspector S.D.H. just to see how my work has progressed-SDH

I totally understand what you're saying. US stuff is very often not serialized except on the receiver, thus arts guns are indistinguishable from legit pieces - especially once you factor in arsenal rebuilding.

I've sold several "parts" USGI M1's, reparked, restocked with real GI wood, etc. only to see them resold the second or 3rd time as "mint, unissued" pieces. If I lived in the states, I'd buy only from the CMP ;)

This is entirely true, CMP is truly the only right source for "as issued" items. the unfortunate end to this, many guys have these guns re-built to as issued and I must confess, when I was working out of a Gun shop in NY, I had to do many of these restored guns. Whenever I did this I stamped the gun under the butt plate with SDH and the date of completion. In some cases I stamped SDH directly on the pistol grip, I'd tell the client it was a legal matter. Sometimes it worked and sometimes not. Once the guns were done who is to say where they go and now they are CMP original. I am glad for the guns I kept and know well where they came from, BR-SDH

Gentlemen I have to comend you for sharing your knowledge with all of us. As a fairly new collector I`m quite naive and tend to trust a sellers description if they seems legitimate. I wanted to add an `03 and a garand and think I`ll stick to my first choice of purchasing through CMP. Thanks again for your opinions.

I am happy with your choice of where your purchase will be made, Please keep it as is, trust me in the long run it will retain more value. If you find you must replace a part or two, post me a message and I will help you along with replacement part's. There is a lot of snake's in the grass and I can help you sort them out-SDH