Auction Gambling - 1903 C-Stock?

All,

I buy and resell from auctions and sometimes take some gambles. This is especially true when it comes to online auctions that are frequently quite light on details.
I'm a collector too, of course, and have scored some shameful deals for my own collection by perusing these online auctions. I hope this series will help illustrate that deals are still out there! This is not an advertisement -- just meant to be a fun little follow along.

So, he's the skinny:

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Those are the only pictures I had to go on. Looks to me like that might be a C-stock but I can't see clearly the shape or if it's not cut down (gamble number 1 and 2). I can't see the muzzle of the barrel either (gamble number 3). It might come with more parts than shown in the pictures since the description wasn't exactly clear (gamble number 4).

Now here's the fun part, my bid plus buyers premium came to only $115.50. With the parts we can see, I'll almost certainly come out even. If my gambles fall the way I hope, I could make a couple hundred (and have a nice 1903 receiver for a paperweight).

I'll know my shipping costs early next week and maybe have the parts in my hands by the end of next week.

Stay tuned!!

Sure a rough looking skeleton though. Hope that "C" stock works out, I've always liked them better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rcathey

and have a nice 1903 receiver for a paperweight)

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Are you going to rebulid it or are you going just for the stock. I might be intrested in the paperweight if you plan on turning it.

I won't be rebuilding this. That would quite quickly turn into a money pit unless there are indeed more parts than shown.
I've PM'd regarding the rest.
But again, I don't mean this to be an advertisement. More of a little behind-the-scenes type thing.

I've made similar gambles, but usually for parts I wanted for myself. I've picked up two A4 bolts on cheap sporters that were worth more than the what I paid for the rifles.

You will come out ahead on that purchase I suspect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Allen Humphrey

I've made similar gambles, but usually for parts I wanted for myself. I've picked up two A4 bolts on cheap sporters that were worth more than the what I paid for the rifles.

You will come out ahead on that purchase I suspect.

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That’s basically the hope.
A little update, the auctioneer claims he’s not the “seller” and the seller is supposedly taking it to a gun store to ship to my FFL. The store still doesn’t have the rifle and I have no clue who this “seller” is or how to contact him.
The auctioneer was all too happy to take my money though.
It’ll get here eventually but it’s always interesting how much harder than necessary people make this.

I picked up a 1917 one time.

I could tell that it had been altered as the barrel did not match up. When I got it I found pipe marks on the barrel and shooting it had a very small crease.

Checked with our local gun smith (expert on old stuff) and it clearly had a different barrel put in, threads cut back and the cambering left a bad spot. More than fine to shoot and reload.

What I was after was the Stock. It was an R, the action was an E and it was a pristine R with no marks other than the Eagle.

I stripped the bun, found a bolt for it that worked with the odd head space, sold it as what it was and a warning that a normal bolt would not head space right, that bolt was for that gun and that gun only. Guy bought it as he wanted a project. I have parts and a stock that will sell one day for $300 plus and I got a lot back out of the barrel receiver.

That’s the kind of success story I’m looking for.
I’m still getting the run around from the auction house. Nearly two weeks after the auction and no word at all about shipping yet. Oh well!
I set out to make a behind the scenes post and this is definitely that haha.

Well, I won’t be needing that action wrench I drew up for usabaker.
You guys may find it hard to believe (I certainly do) but the rifle was 100% complete just in pieces.
Pics are forthcoming but why on earth would an auction company not take pictures of everything? The pictures I started the thread with are all the listing showed. Mind blowing.
So in conclusion, this is a bet that paid off probably 7 fold and no parts will be sold.
Clean living! ;)

Ok, so I lied. It's missing a couple sling swivels :madsmile:
Looks like the stock has been quite heavily sanded and it's quite dirty - lots of solidified cosmoline looks like but it'll clean up nice.
Here's the prelim pics (sorry for the sketchy quality):
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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rcathey

Here's the prelim pics (sorry for the sketchy quality):

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Looks like a nice buy!

For a total of something like $150 or a $160, I'm almost ashamed of the deal I got.
...almost.
I'm happy this one turned into a happy ending. It doesn't always go so well!

EDIT: Thought I'd add a link to the original auction listing if anyone was curious to see exactly what I saw: Springfield Model 1903 Rifle

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rcathey

it'll clean up nice.

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Yes it will...very nice stock.

Well the bore turned out pretty pitted.
That's a shame but that hardly makes this a bad deal.
At least the trapdoor I bought has a nice bore :D