Opinion on 03A4 Trade Against RIA Group

Hello,

I am a brand new member and, first, want to apologize for my inability to properly utilize photo posting here. I'm obviously doing something incorrectly, to the point that the potential deal I was interested in is likely no longer available.

However, since it has been decades since I've considered doing anything towards re-focusing my small collection more towards my WWI interests, I'd still like to get some informed opinions regarding my 1903A4 and my effort to trade it towards a small veteran's grouping which includes a supposedly correct RIA 1903.

The grouping is shown at: Springfield Rock Island Arsenal Mod 1903 U S 30-06 : Curios Relics at GunBroker.com

My rifle, which I thought may be fairly traded even-up against the group, is here:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../2dtptee-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../15dnko3-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/zmnzwy-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../2vhzucl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/sno478-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/ephdoi-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/rigju1-1.jpg

Cartouche's are limited to re-arsenal boxed RIA/EB, Keystone 'K' under cutoff, and circle-P at wrist.
Again, I'm sorry for the lack of posted photos; I'll keep trying to figure out the process. I have a couple other Springfields and older S&W's and Colts I'll be looking for help with as well.
Thank you in advance for your opinions on both rifles and how you would assess the values of both.

Ed

---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------

Looks like they posted!
Ed

You need John Beard or Rick to help you. I would think you are offering way too much. A nice RIA low number just doesn't command that much money and certainly not $4000-$5000. They are not that highly sought after, nice piece for sure but not nearly that much money. John/Rick I await your informed opinions. I recall a dealer I knew some years ago who would take an average M1911A1 slide and price it at $1500. He would wait many months until a guy would happen on his table and give the guy a big story about his rare slide. It would sell! I guess if you have enough patience you will sell your stuff.

the A4 will only go up in value.. the 1903 in question..is worth about half what the asking price is...

Thank you for the responses. For what its worth, the RIA seller now claims to have accepted an offer of 4,500 and terminated the GB listing. To your point(s) I couldn't come up with 4-5,000 by individually pricing his components but how does one value a provenanced group?
Also what should I ask for the 03A4 if try to sell it here? I also have a 1929 NM I'll likely sell or trade.
Thank you again.

Your rifle's Feb 43 barrel is way too early for that receiver. It is most likely a replacement probably done when the rest of the rifle was rebuilt at RIA.

I believe a fair value would be on the order of $3500. to $4000.

Sorry for the poor photo, but the barrel date is 12 - 43, not 2 - 43.
Thank you for the response, though. Would the December, 1943 barrel date better match the receiver s/n and, if so, would that affect the value?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by petown1

Thank you for the responses. For what its worth, the RIA seller now claims to have accepted an offer of 4,500 and terminated the GB listing. To your point(s) I couldn't come up with 4-5,000 by individually pricing his components but how does one value a provenanced group?
Also what should I ask for the 03A4 if try to sell it here? I also have a 1929 NM I'll likely sell or trade.
Thank you again.

---

petown

You can't evaluate provenance based on a GB add. For the kind of $$ the seller is asking what you, as a buyer must verify the claim first. If the seller isn't willing to give you all info necessary to do your own researh and verify. Walk away.

Your 03-A4 looks like a respectable rifle. Likely worth more than the GB Rifle.

Mike Haas

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by petown1

Sorry for the poor photo, but the barrel date is 12 - 43, not 2 - 43.
Thank you for the response, though. Would the December, 1943 barrel date better match the receiver s/n and, if so, would that affect the value?

---

Whoops My mistake :red face: A 12 43 barrel is most likely original to the receiver. Are there any traces of the original factory inspection stamps or sub-inspectors stamps? Naturally these would be lost if the rifle was restocked at RIA. However, the rifle has a firing proof which normally suggests (if restocked) that the barrel or bolt was changed. The other possibility is that the factory stamps were obliterated during a rebuild , simply worn off or a combination of the two.

I know where an original RIA WWI bringback group is. My friend owns it and I think he would sell it. I think he wanted around the 3k to $3500 price.

I posted pics of it a while back and here is a link to them. But if you were looking for something like this, I can make sure he is still willing to sell it.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/showth...gback-grouping

Thank you, Mike, I appreciate your response.
Ed

Thank you, JGaynor. I can't make out any other inspection stamps, other than what looks like the forward vertical leg of the box just behind the cutoff relief. If it makes any difference the forend finish shows a lot of handling marks, which virtually disappear from the lower band aft.
Thanks again and, if you have any rough estimate of value, I'd appreciate the opinion.

A WW1 Bring-back??? Gosh ALL of the M1917's are WW1 Bring-backs. Not so sure why that jerks up the price. Letters and paperwork are very easy to fake. I knew a Huntington Beach dealer who could and would fake up paper in a heartbeat. Be careful of provenance.

That's the "catch on the rifle in the GB ad - what value do you place on provenance?