Opinion on 03A4 Trade Against RIA Group

[petown1]

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:









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

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Calif-Steve]

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.

[Chuckindenver]

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

[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.

[JGaynor]

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.

[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?

[Mike Haas]

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

[JGaynor]

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 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.

[cplstevennorton]

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

[petown1]

Thank you, Mike, I appreciate your response.
Ed