Things Seen at Gun Shows...

...that you wish you didn't see. So as my quest for the right 1903 continues I went to a local gun show this weekend and didn't find it. What I did find nearly made me sick. Gun sellers are starting to make used car dealers seem honest.

First seen was a Remington 1903 with a 3 mil serial number and a 10-42 dated barrel that was marked as a "match" model. Heavily sanded C stock with no cartouches at all and a thick almost acrylic coat of Trueoil. The only other marking was a P stamp under the barrel just foward of the nosecap. What made it a match was some square block of aluminum peep sight with no markings but it did have a target disc screwed into it. Oh and it still retained the original sight on the barrel. All this goodness for only $1400 usd. Now I don't claim to be an expert on 03's by any means but to me I don't believe that during the most desperate days of WWII for the US that they would build rifles to be put on the side for shooting matches. Also post war if one was built from a wartime receiver I highly doubt they would have retained the original war service barrel for match purposes. Pass

Next, 2 tables down was an extremely rough Smith Corona 03-A3. Heavily sanded stock with no cartouches and many deep dents still visible, replaced unfinished handguards and a gash on the barrel obliterating the month of manufacture the year was 43. What impressed me was what looked like a blued carbine rear sight with 2 cover screws below it blocking the d&t'd holes where an alternate sight had been mounted. All this wonderfulness for only $1499 usd. Pass

Lastly a Remington 03-A3 in what looked like somewhat decent condition. All cartouches in place and correct, correct oil finish on the stock, correct sights, correct sling, 3.3 mil serial number and a 3/43 dated barrel. Oh about that barrel almost no rifling whatsoever especially at the muzzle. All for only $1600 usd. My brother jokingly asked how many smoothbore 03-A3's were made during the war. The seller wasn't amused. Pass

We were there early and that was it only those 3 in the whole show so the search continues. Rant over, thank you.

My local show has a guy that buys every naughty stamped K98 mauser he sees to resell them in the $3000 price range. Hence, there aren't many K98s available in stores, and he can claim that those fine rifles are quite rare and are worth the premium price.

Well, Simpsons has a nice 03a3 National Ordnance (ugh) for a mere $850 or a reactivated drill rifle 03a3 for $1595! It doesn,t seem to matter anymore if an 03a3 is drilled, sanded, rusted or butt ugly the seller still thinks it's worth $1500 to $2000+. You see them now on Gun Broker for $3000. Come on man - the U.S. made millions of them.

Sadly 1903's and 03A3's like those described seem to be the norm nowadays. The last show in Monroeville that I went to a dealer who usually has several 03's and 03A3's had a "1903 MK1" for $1800.00. The only thing that was MK1 was the receiver, it was completely re arsenaled, not anything original to it. When it comes to 1903's in particular knowledge is everything. I have over the last 4-5 years have obtained some really great books and am a subscriber to SRS. Years ago I read somewhere that if you want to collect anything, spend your first 1000.00 on books on the subject that you're interested in.

What you guys see at only a few shows is nothing. I am at a show almost every weekend. The amount of professional know it all's is mind bending. These dealers think everything they have is gold an correct. I due not know everything an will never claim too. But i due have a few of my consignors who send firearms with me that due. Right now i have a few 03A-3's for one gentleman that are correct. an not out of line in price. Under $1400.00. I also have a bunch of M1 grands from another consignor who used to be a fixture at Camp Perry. So at his age now an no one to leave these items to. He is parting with. None of them would be a rack grade. If you would like to confirm what i have on my racks as Aragron243 as he has seen my items,.