Opinion of this 1903

I know there is not much info here but would you buy it sight unseen?

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upload image anonymous

---------- Post added at 09:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 AM ----------

more pics.

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---------- Post added at 09:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 AM ----------

More pics

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---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------

I am told the barrel date is 1928.

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Originally Posted by Mjac

would you buy it sight unseen?

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For $120, yes,
For $1200, no.

So 800 shipped would be a maybe?

Handguard seems off shade, not a big deal unless it is incorrect. The barrel date may be 1928 but it looks like a straight bolt handle which means low serial number, unless the bolt was swapped. The pictures are awful, can't tell if it's a Springfield or Rock Island from either the barrel or receiver shots. The cartouch in these pictures looks like it was done freehand. Do you know the maker and the serial number? Personally I would pass because I don't like what I see. But I don't buy sight unseen anyway. Too many possible variables with 100 year guns.

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Originally Posted by oldfoneguy

Too many possible variables with 100 year guns.

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Yes sir, true enough. The pictures are not mine and the seller has not furnished any other info at this point. My interest is fading but it is/was fairly local (at least in the same state) I'll be passing for many of the same reasons you mentioned. Thanks.

I had a A3 years ago and foolishly sold it. I am searching for another milsurp to satisfy the itch and have forgotten the many things to look for. Back to school for me, the search continues.
Thanks again.

Try CMP for a decent M1903. North and South have nice pickens. Good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldfoneguy

The cartouch in these pictures looks like it was done freehand

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My first thought was perhaps sanded and refinished at some point would make the stamp look muddy like that - so would a very bad picture - so could 100 years of grime and/or past wet.

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Originally Posted by Calif-Steve

Try CMP for a decent M1903. North and South have nice pickens. Good luck.

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This is the ticket - if you're looking for something with service history to shoot and enjoy. Given prices I've seen for lesser crap at gunshows or gun broker, you could even break even buying a plane ticket to Atlanta and making the 90min. drive to Anniston. Pick out what you like, have them ship it to your door, enjoy a nice lunch somewhere local and head home. Might as well put another rifle in checked baggage and hit the Talledega range in the morning to make the trip even more worthwhile.

Agreed. You're just a few hours from the store in Anniston, AL. They have a great selection of M1903 rifles in stock that are not available for sale on the website. I purchased one there a month ago when I was there for the Advanced Maintenance Course. I don't think Florida requires you to ship it to a gun shop, meaning you'd be able to drive home with it, and even shoot it at the Talladega Marksmanship Park, which also has its own store outlet with some M1903 rifles for sale. One stop.

Thanks for the in store tip. Is there an invertory of availability?
I could very well make a trip.

For the M1903s, M1903A3s and M1917s, not to my knowledge. You just walk in and pick one out. But they had about 10 of each to choose from. My friend and I had no trouble at all picking one up that we wanted, and all of them were very suitable, with fair to good to very good bores.

We were there assembling our own Expert Grade M1 Garands, but during our private store time, I bought an M1903. He bought an M1917, and we each grabbed a US Navy 7.62mm Mark 2 Mod 1. The Navy Garands are available on the website, as are the recently released Krags.