'o3 Restoration question

[TomD]

Hello,
I have a 5 digit number Rock Island Springfield '03 that I purchased in the mid-60's.
It was in mint condition so naturally as was the custom back then I "sporterized" it with a Bishop stock, Lyman sights and had it blued.
The problems are that the receiver was drilled to accept the rear sight, and the origional stock, sights and hardware have been lost in time.
My question is can the receiver be repaired, and the rifle be restored, or does this rifle have value to somebody as a parts gun?
Thanks for any advice on this.

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[Chuckindenver]

can it be fixed? yes..should it be fixed? no..
restoring a SHT 1903 isnt the issue.
welding holes up on one is.. it would cost more to restore it, then its worth, and it still should not be fired..
parts id say...

[noelekal]

You could restore it as a "looker" but it's value will be pretty severely impaired. Digging out correct hardware and a proper stock set would be fairly time consuming and also pricey.

An original, unmolested Rock Island sporting a serial number in the range of your rifle would be a rare beauty and very costly.

You might consider having a gunsmith fill the holes, gathering up a stock and hardware to recreate a rifle that looked as if it was a post World War I rebuild. That might be a more realistic goal.

[TomD]

Thanks for the advice guys, more than likely one day I'll break it down for parts. I know it shouldn't be fired ( but I have with military and civilian loads) so it should not be sold as a shooter.

[ABPOS]

Turn it into a 03A4 replica. That's what I'd do, if you have the dough to do it.

[Chuckindenver]

Turn it into a 03A4 replica. That's what I'd do, if you have the dough to do it.

how you gonna make a low number 1903 into a 1903A3 A4 replica?

[TomD]

actually I was wondering the same

[Rick the Librarian]

Once the sights have been changed and the receiver drilled and tapped, restoration pretty much goes out the window. Keep it as-is or break down for parts. If it is a nice-looking sporter, keep it as it is.

[rugersworld]

enjoy it as a cast bullet shooter

[ABPOS]

Oooops. I guess the 03A1 sniper rifle wouldn't work then?? Sorry about that.