Correct Bolt for Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter

Hello,

I'm new to the forums and looking for some clarification on my Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter. My father originally purchased this rifle in 1989 and has paperwork from SA confirming its manufactured date and who it was sold to. It also said, "It is possible that this rifle was originally issued as an NB model, but there is no way to substantiate this". According to the Flaydermans Guide, the Serial#1271963, falls in the serial # range of the 1903 N.B.A. Sporter, which only 589 were made.

An interested buyer claims the bolt is Remington and not original SA. The top of the bolt handle is stamped J5, underneath there's the Rockwell Test punch, and the letter R. The top of the bolt has the serial # electro-penciled, but only the last 5 digits. Research shows, SA stamped their bolts J5, around 1918, which is well before when this rifle was manufactured. Also, I came across a 1903 NM on gunbroker, serial# 1272191. The bolt handle is stamped W3L, underneath the Rockwell Punc and the letter X, which is reflective with mid 1920's manufacturing.

My question, is this a Remington bolt, that the original owner could have replaced, or a SA bolt, that was picked out of the bolt bin, during manufacturing?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4/zBaEgi-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4/7gD2yT-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4/Ju6fRB-1.jpg

Thank you

The buyer is mistaken. This site is rock solid. This link is straight to your j5 bolt.
http://www.vishooter.net/slc6_2008.html
Please navigate the rest of the site as well.

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Originally Posted by pickax

The buyer is mistaken. This site is rock solid. This link is straight to your j5 bolt.
http://www.vishooter.net/slc6_2008.html
Please navigate the rest of the site as well.

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Thank you, for the link. Do you know what the letter R, under the bolt handle represents?

The gentleman that created the chart inspects most of the 1903 an 1903a3 the CMP sells.

contact via the CMP forum below

CMP Forums - View Profile: John Beard

The serial number of your rifle is listed in SRS with the following entry:
1271963NM 092726DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
Per SRS your rifle therefore would be a NM rifle sold on 27th September 1926. Could you possibly share pictures of the whole rifle?

I'll ask John Beard to possibly reply in here, he anyway is active on this forum as well.

The buyer is mistaken. Your rifle has its correct original bolt. The J 5 bolt originally appeared in the 1918-19 period and the steel lot code was stamped beneath the safety lug, not atop the handle. The J 5 bolt then re-appeared in the 1926-28 period, but the steel lot code was stamped atop the handle and the lettering font was different. Your bolt exhibits the correct location and lettering font for the 1926-28 period. The "R" is a subinspection mark and has no relationship with Remington. Follow the link.

J 5 Bolt steel lot code

Stay safe!

J.B.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John Beard

The buyer is mistaken. Your rifle has its correct original bolt. The J 5 bolt originally appeared in the 1918-19 period. The J 5 bolt then re-appeared in the 1926-28 period, but the lettering font was different. Your bolt exhibits the correct lettering font for the 1926-28 period. The "R" is a subinspection mark and has no relationship with Remington. Follow the link.

J 5 Bolt steel lot code

Stay safe!

J.B.

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Thank you, for your input. My other question, is it normal for only a portion of the serial# to be electro-penciled, on the bolt? I’ve seen and heard the whole serial# would be included?

Thank you

I would love to see pictures of this whole rifle if you get a chance!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lt.AldoRaine

Thank you, for your input. My other question, is it normal for only a portion of the serial# to be electro-penciled, on the bolt? I’ve seen and heard the whole serial# would be included?

Thank you

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Yes. When Springfield first began serializing bolts, they only put about the last four digits on the bolt. Later bolts have the entire serial number. Your bolt is correct.

Stay safe!

J.B.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rcathey

I would love to see pictures of this whole rifle if you get a chance!

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Here are a couple pics, the rifle is a real beauty. As I stated before, I have the paperwork from SA confirming the sale, to the original owner. The original owner had checkering added to the forearm and pistol grip, and a plastic cap installed at the bottom of the pistol grip. Also, there's an ID tag attached to the rear sling loop, of the shooting range, the individual belonged to? I'm curious about the value, Flaydermans Guide has it ranging from $5,000-Exc to $2,750-VG, apparently 589 were made. How much would the personal modifications, devalue the rifle?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4/qZdRg0-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4/sLi8LI-1.jpg

Thank you

---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Promo

The serial number of your rifle is listed in SRS with the following entry:
1271963NM 092726DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
Per SRS your rifle therefore would be a NM rifle sold on 27th September 1926. Could you possibly share pictures of the whole rifle?

I'll ask John Beard to possibly reply in here, he anyway is active on this forum as well.

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I posted pictures, of the rifle.

Your rifle is a National Match rifle Style "NB". It is not an N.B.A. Sporter. Thanks for the extra pictures.

Stay safe.

J.B.

I have a M1903 NM with "B" stock, headless cocking piece, reverse safety and Lyman sights - serial number 1273742/barrel date "9-26" that is documented in the Mallory's DCM sales records. My rifle also has a "J5" bolt that is electro-penciled with the full serial number. The M1903 NM B stock rifles are scarce - I have owned two and have seen one or two others in 30 years of collecting M1903 rifles. The documentation makes your rifle very desirable. I think that the checkering and butt cap probably reduce the value of the rifle by at least $500. I see a lot of nice M1903s sell at Rock Island Auction Company. Rock Island usually gets top prices (at least when I am bidding). However, 1903 prices have been falling steadily for the last several years. M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in 98% condition have been selling in the $3000 range recently which is down about 50% from the highs of five or six years ago. Rifles with Style B stocks are very scarce but they don't seem to sell for a lot more than M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in the same condition. I recommend selling a rifle like yours thru a recognized auction house - in my experience the 15% seller's premium companies like Rock Island charge is worth the additional exposure. In additional you will not have to deal with idiots who try and tell you the bolt is not correct to beat you down in price.

From the DCM Page of the January 1927 issue of the American Rifleman

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From 1930 Rifleman

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FWIW

From the 1931 American Rifleman 1931
Imgur: The magic of the Internet

FWIW

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Originally Posted by Tom Jackson

I recommend selling a rifle like yours thru a recognized auction house - in my experience the 15% seller's premium companies like Rock Island charge is worth the additional exposure. In additional you will not have to deal with idiots who try and tell you the bolt is not correct to beat you down in price.

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Tom,

Does Rock Island Auction charge a seller's commission in addition to the 15% buyer's premium? And if so, do you know how much it is? Are they negotiable on the seller's commission? Just curious. A good friend recently had a very unfavorable experience with another auction house. Please advise.

Thanks! And stay safe!!!

J.B.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tom Jackson

I have a M1903 NM with "B" stock, headless cocking piece, reverse safety and Lyman sights - serial number 1273742/barrel date "9-26" that is documented in the Mallory's DCM sales records. My rifle also has a "J5" bolt that is electro-penciled with the full serial number. The M1903 NM B stock rifles are scarce - I have owned two and have seen one or two others in 30 years of collecting M1903 rifles. The documentation makes your rifle very desirable. I think that the checkering and butt cap probably reduce the value of the rifle by at least $500. I see a lot of nice M1903s sell at Rock Island Auction Company. Rock Island usually gets top prices (at least when I am bidding). However, 1903 prices have been falling steadily for the last several years. M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in 98% condition have been selling in the $3000 range recently which is down about 50% from the highs of five or six years ago. Rifles with Style B stocks are very scarce but they don't seem to sell for a lot more than M1903/M1903A1 NM rifles in the same condition. I recommend selling a rifle like yours thru a recognized auction house - in my experience the 15% seller's premium companies like Rock Island charge is worth the additional exposure. In additional you will not have to deal with idiots who try and tell you the bolt is not correct to beat you down in price.

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Tom,

Thanks for the info. One other thing, the rifle has a "8-32" barrel date, it's SA with the NM star. Obviously, the barrel was changed, how much does that affect the value?

Thank you,
Chris

Rock Island does charge the seller a commission. BUT you can negotiate this charge and if you have a large collection or some very unique firearms they have eliminated the commission. Times are hard for auction houses and they want you business.