I'm getting a little excited

A co worker just called me up to ask me if I was interested in a list of firearms his neighbor has for sale (older guy moving to a retirement community from a large house) among the list was a Springfield 30-06 in military trim. Granted I could have used a LOT more info. But I did get that it has the folding leaf style rear sight (so not an O3-A3) and that both the stock and sights look to be all original. So hopefully not sportsterized in any way.

The best part is the old boy also has a military trim 8mm Swedish mauser and he will sell both for $200.00 My buddy is interested in the mauser and I told him to get back over there and get all the info on the Springfield as I have CASH.

So I'm waiting to hear back.

I sold off my beautiful 03-A3 years back when I had to pay a bill and have been wanting to fill that military bolt action slot in my little collection ever since.

At this price even if some restoration is needed I will be way ahead of the game.

Wish me luck.

Don't forget to wear a ski mask when you go to pick it up! :)

Good Luck! :wave:

J.B.

Mark,
We are going to requre photos and range report!
Sounds like you could have a great steal there!

Hoping to get a chance to go see it today. I hate these 2nd party kinds of deals. It never seams as important to the middleman as it is to me.

I used to actively collect antique model airplane magazines and when I sold my handmade knives at the local gun shows I alway had a little sign stating I was buying model magazines and engines. And I found that giving out my card would rarely result in a direct contact after the show. So I started instead to get their Phone number and that resulted in some amazing finds.

I'll be giving my coworker a call this morning.

For $200 for TWO rifles, you'll be ahead short of the rifles being tomato stakes! :lol:

Good Luck, and let us know!

OK well I just got home from buying the Springfield. it's Serial number 7794XX All the metal and finish is in pretty good shape. The bore looks VERY nice save the last 1/4-3/8" at the muzzle which is to be expected and it's just cleaning wear. Otherwise the bore is downright shinny. The chamber feels pretty good (checked with a fired brass from my M1 Grand which is in Excellent condition. The Firing pin has a good clean strike (checked with some very shallow dimpled cases I had) trigger feels good and is pretty chrisp. Sights are complete and the rear sight snaps into place very nicely.

NOW the BAD the stock which appear that it was a very nice stock to start out with has had the classic lower band chop and rounding. So while I was told the stock was in Military trim it is obvious my coworker hasn't a clue!!

My buddy decided he wanted to get a pistol the guy had so I had to pay the one at a time price of $125.00 for the Springfield BUT it came wit 19 rounds (and the 20th brass) of 180 grain Rem core-lokt ammo which now days is damn near $25.00 on its own!!!

So I guess I join the heard of guys looking for a proper stock (which will now have to wait until summer since work is done for this year I drive a dump truck for a paving company and I'm broke)

If any of you well versed guys can look at my photo's and clue me into what specifically I have and what I need to find as it pertains to the original type stock and bands etc I would greatly appreciate it. I want to have it end up looking as it did back in the day.

OK Photo's

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...otos001w-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tos004w1-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...otos005w-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...otos006w-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...otos007w-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...otos008w-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...otos010w-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...otos011w-1.jpg


Sorry they have to be flash photo's but I know I won't have time tomorrow to take proper photo's I still have a bunch of shop to clean up so I have some where to fit my new lathe!

A range report will come hopefully before the weekend. But I might have to wait until I get some stuff loaded up to make it worth going to the range.

Too bad on the stock - it was a pre-WWII Type C. I spot a Remington floorplate. Is there, by chance, an "R" stamp on the right side of the trigger guard "bow near the woodline?

One suggestion is to look for a "generic" grasping groove stock without markings. Such stocks can be had for a lot cheaper than a "correct" one. Especially since it looks like your rifle may not be totally original/correct as far as the "metal".

Yes, a SA made 1936-38 stock. Too bad about that.

CMP sells a nice new fingergroove stock with high hump handguard, may be just the ticket.

At this point my goal is to make it look like it's supposed to. but not to try to do a perfect restoration. The collection of parts that is this rifle can "Look" pretty good for somewhere near what I could justify. So I guess that is where I'll head.

I like the idea of the genaric stocks.

Mark - You have a fine rifle at a great price! Keep everything clean and enjoy shooting it.

Ricks advice on the stock is spot on. Don't buy after-market. Pay the price for an original. Look for one without markings or with a rebuild cartouche and you will save money. If your trigger guard is indeed a Remington, you could sell it, and buy another (correct) one, and save money.

That gun deserves a decent original stock and handguard. You'll probably pay more for the stock set then you did the rifle, but it will still be worth it. Take your time and save the money, you'll be glad you did.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LeagleEagle

CMP sells a nice new fingergroove stock with high hump handguard, may be just the ticket.

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temp out of stock and not accepting any orders at this time. from the web site/

Whats the barrel date? Any chance you live near Anniston to pick up one of the original C type Keystones they have in the CMP store at $125? (Edit - just saw your Oregon address) Occasionaly someone is selling one of these on the CMP site trading page at some profit to the seller.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pmclaine

Whats the barrel date? Any chance you live near Anniston to pick up one of the original C type Keystones they have in the CMP store at $125? (Edit - just saw your Oregon address) Occasionaly someone is selling one of these on the CMP site trading page at some profit to the seller.

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Barrel date is 5-19 I'll check out the CMP ads.

I like the idea of a rebuild stock. I'm in no hurry this winters project is a .22 target rifle. and I really should restock the M1 Carbine first that stock is just plain ratty.

My brother owns a gun shop in SE AZ and has already been set to looking for a 03-A3 for a shooter.

Mark,
I too am looking for a stock for my 1920's rifle. However, it isn't a priority, so I am just watching the prices to get a feel for the market.
WOW! Prices seem stiff for a military original stock! I figure that eventually the right one will come along. I will keep my eyes peeled for you also.
Love your rifle! You have a fine weapon there!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mark W.

Barrel date is 5-19 I'll check out the CMP ads.

I like the idea of a rebuild stock. I'm in no hurry this winters project is a .22 target rifle. and I really should restock the M1 Carbine first that stock is just plain ratty.

My brother owns a gun shop in SE AZ and has already been set to looking for a 03-A3 for a shooter.

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Check for posts from a party called Hammonje (or something close). He must live close enough to Anniston that he can pick up three or four keystones at a whack. He does sell at a profit and should get something for his travel /expense. He had some real nice keystones for sale on the bolt actionwant to sell board a month or so ago. Downside is that he just posted that he had some sort of injury and is laid up so he has been slow in sending out his wares. The keystone wont be original for your rifle but it will make for a nice shooter stock and it is a GI product. The handguard would have to be had from CollectorSource (send a pic of your stock and they will try to match the handguard sent to your stock) as the Anniston stocks do not come with a handguard.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm not sure how quick I can start putting money into this rifle right now. I work construction (I drive a dump truck and trailer for a paving company) and my last pay check until about My is in the bank. Had I planned on buying the rifle or any rifle for that matter I would have budgeted for it. But this winter I will be lucky to finish the Savage MKII 22LR based target rifle I'm building. If some of the stuff from my other hobbies sells I will be able to move forward on the M1903. I do have a number of good gun shows coming up this fall so I might find something local.

At the risk of tooting my own horn, I do have a generic GG stock available at a very reasonable price. If you want to find out more, email me at rrsbls[at]msn.com (make the usual substitution).

RtL

(Whispered) I won't tell the mods your selling stuff in the forums Rick :lol:

Mark, you should go for it while Rick needs some money!
(I'll bet he's found something he wants to buy) :D

Nope - nothing in mind - just trying to pay for several "misdeeds" bought earlier - mostly connected with my new reloading "fixation"! :D