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Contributing Member
M1903A4 fake or original
The company "Old Arms of Idaho" opened a thread on this board where he linked to a small military arms collection he bought and is selling on gunbroker. He had posted this thread here: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=61310
Looking at the auctions I noticed a M1903A4 rifle, which I looked at in detail. It appeared to me to have been scrubbed and reserialized.
I am therefore kindly asking others to give their opinion on the rifle being original or not. See http://www.gunbroker.com/item/657204109 - thank you!
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Last edited by Badger; 06-20-2017 at 11:06 AM.
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The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Promo For This Useful Post:
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06-19-2017 06:32 PM
# ADS
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Contributing Member
Some stock stamps look they were done yesterday!
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Advisory Panel
I have to agree with you, the barrel ring markings look as you've described. The "G" is an "O" with a line inserted. The number was done yesterday. The whole affair looks to have been ground or polished. The area under the front sight looks to have been polished and blued...
Here's another for a look... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....ghlight=1903a4
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Legacy Member
Promo. I agree with the othhers. Yes, it looks like the serial number area has been ground down and a new number applied. The numbers don't look quite right--(shape and depth). Also the front sight and muzzle have been cold blued, another dead give away. Yikes! When will this stop! Salt Flat
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Advisory Panel
I thought I put an answer on the other posting where he's defending so hard but it appears not to be... I expect he'll take it and run. I can't imagine why such a hard sell here...
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Contributing Member
I have to agree with you, the barrel ring markings look as you've described. The "G" is an "O" with a line inserted. The number was done yesterday. The whole affair looks to have been ground or polished. The area under the front sight looks to have been polished and blued...
Here's another for a look...
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....ghlight=1903a4
I would have to concur guys, unfortunately it doesn't appear to be right.
A very Birchwood Casey looking cold blue at the muzzle.
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Originally Posted by
Promo
The company "Old Arms of Idaho" opened a thread on this board where he linked to a small military arms collection he bought and is selling on gunbroker. He had posted this thread here:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=61310
Looking at the auctions I noticed a M1903A4 rifle, which I looked at in detail. It appeared to me to have been scrubbed and reserialized.
I am therefore kindly asking others to give their opinion on the rifle being original or not. See
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/657204109 - thank you!
I don't know where the original post has gone but I did put a thanks to your comments Georg, even a blind man on a galloping horse could spot that one, it reminds me of a SMLE No1 MkV, I purchased from a "so called Enfield specialist" all nice with my questions etc, but when it arrived and as soon as the Butt come out the Wrapper I knew it was a lash up, of course pointing out it had a EFD very early fore-end and repro sight etc etc...... I got a right ear full of " you don't know what your talking about ".........I did return it and got a refund, lost a few ££ in post etc but it wasn't the first one, it ended up in an auction over here a few years ago.
I like others appreciate your concerns and knowledge and I hope it will help deter those that have the hard earned cash burning a hole in the pocket.
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Advisory Panel

Originally Posted by
bigduke6
I don't know where the original post has gone
I have a feeling that management has erased the whole thing, I sent a message that he was trying to sell on open forum. Plus the acrimony he was implying...
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Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:
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Legacy Member
He changed the description on GunBroker.
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I have a feeling that management has erased the whole thing, I sent a message that he was trying to sell on open forum. Plus the acrimony he was implying...
Still there.... 
For the benefit of any members considering bidding, I felt it was in their best interests to obtain as much feedback as possible from expert 1903 collectors, about this piece.
Regards,
Doug
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