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.

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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.

I visited the Anniston and Talladega stores in March and July. Bought a 1928 1903 for 830 in March and a Smith Carona 1903a3 in July for 750. Tax is 7%. Really scored on the SC. Value will often depend on bore condition. CMP will grade a rifle a rack grade if the bore is dark when it is just dirty. Mine turned out to be shiny and bright after cleaning. Store reports show 1903s are still available. 1903as now sparse. Believe they are currently doing mail orders for 1903s. Go to their site and forum for more accurate details. Your rifle with a good barrel would be a $900 Service Grade. Good luck.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=80291

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Originally Posted by FremansFarm

Really scored on the SC

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Depending on the serial number of your rifle, you might need to be on the hunt for one of these. I found my typewriter first, serial number inside the frame is from the last month of production before they shut down to retool for rifles, but alas it didn't have the case. Nonetheless it's in perfect working order (now ;). Took me a few years to find a rifle worthy to make a pair.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...bb5365cd-1.jpg

Well now ya got me thinking. I don't have a Springfield (or Rock Island) 1903, only some Remington's. I do have unfinished, 80% inletted C-stock from Roy Dunlap in the closet that's just dying for a rifle too. I'm going to be back home in Ohio next week with only a 2hr drive to the north store. Should I go take a peak? anyone been up there recently and can give me a heads up on inventory?

Last trip up I made the detour an found a rack grade m1c that was just perfect for a project. bore looked almost smooth, late 50's date (I think. have to dig it out to check.), 50 % finish left on the receiver with no rust or pitting - black manganese park. Stock looked like heavy field use too. Everything seems to point to one of the early Vietnam arsenal re-builds. base mount screws only lightly staked. Perfect rifle for a project, and sure beats trying to drill and tap the other bare receiver I had set aside fore the project. Now I've gone and hijacked. Sorry.

EDIT: Well shoot. Looks like the north store is closed until Sept. 5. https://forums.thecmp.org/forum/cmp-...-september-5th

Rats. The monthly CMP sales update email said no 03's left at any store.

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Originally Posted by ssgross

Rats. The monthly CMP sales update email said no 03's left at any store.

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I am painfully finding out the same. The search continues.

my next source would be to look for the right sporter to restore. I'm not much for a "collectors item", not to mention the price is always too high, and everyone selling wants to convince you theirs (often a junk parts rifle) is more collectible than everyone else's. Besides, it feels far more satisfying nailing 3 x's in a row with something that came from your own hands. When I'm gone, I'm certain my kids will sell the few "collectibles" I have, and fight over who gets to keep the ones I built, which was often done with little ones hanging around the bench "helping".

Here is one from my watchlist today.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1061921505
...looked promising until picture #31. The tang scew hole looks filed out square and filled with epoxy.
If you can get a sporter in good shape in the $300-$400, you'll have your finished service rifle for 600-1200 when you are done, depending on what it needs and what you want. Don't be surprised when you shoot a 1MOA group off the bench and guy offers you 2K for it.

That is #30 on my computer screen. I have passed on quite a few sporty 03's and A3' online but maybe some will be worthy of another look, considering your excellent remarks. In fact there is one local to me available for fondling. Thanks.

Not a 03 but worth a look/work? It just popped up because it is also nearby.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1063331668

there are not $500 of useable parts on that rifle, and the barrel is not re-sellable. If that barrel was competently plugged, and not because the barrel was on a drill-rifle, then it was likely so done for a very good reason. Any honest and competent gunsmith that comes across a rifle that is a serious danger will do such a thing, lest the owner pass it off as safe to an unsuspecting buyer that then blows their face off.

I am not so sure if it was competently plugged. I was told that there appears to a steel rod in the barrel 5" in from the breach and the rod is about 6" long. No welding or holes present. Its at a LGS.

My not so bright idea was to grab it and having someone re barrel it. The ramifications of doing something along those lines is way above my pay grade.

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Originally Posted by Mjac

I was told that there appears to a steel rod in the barrel 5" in from the breach

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So...lots of room to be able to chamber a cartridge? Wow...

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Originally Posted by ssgross

...looked promising until picture #31. The tang scew hole looks filed out square and filled with epoxy.

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ssgross, I think what you are seeing there is the slot that the cocking piece rides in. The rear hole in the tang is a blind hole on the 1903 models. Later, for the 1903a3 they drilled all the way through. Salt Falt

dont get desperate, alot of Junk being sold on line these days, there is a good auction house out of FL that offers up some nice 1903s now and then. go to gunshows, and learn what no to but, {recovered drill rifles} figure out what you want, save your money, and buy what you want. an original correct 1903 will set you back a bit of cash, an original 1903A3 will do as well, you should be able to find a nice Remington 1903A3. for around 12 to 1300. a nice original 1903 will cost twice that. now parts guns, like youv share here, and a train wreck waiting to happen.

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Originally Posted by ssgross

my next source would be to look for the right sporter to restore.
If you can get a sporter in good shape in the $300-$400

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I did and it should be in hand next week. Sporter pics allowed here? ;)

I'll need a new (old) stock for sure.

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Originally Posted by Mjac

Sporter pics allowed here?

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Of course, it started as a 1903...

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Originally Posted by Chuckindenver

good auction house out of FL

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Details please. For future reference.

just search gun auctions USA. they are located in Largo FL.

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Originally Posted by Chuckindenver

just search gun auctions USA. they are located in Largo FL.

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Interesting. They advertise at a public shooting range where I am a RO. I had not heard of them before. Thanks.

noticed a nice greek return that would be a great example on the auction they have right now

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Originally Posted by Chuckindenver

noticed a nice greek return that would be a great example on the auction they have right now

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Interesting. Thanks. I am traveling and this one will be gone before I can look at it. My loss. Meanwhile I am signed up for future auctions.