Gun show and pawn shop finds

[Milsurp Collector]

On Saturday I went to a gun show out in the country about an hour from my home. That particular gun show tends to have more used guns and accessories than the bigger gun shows in my area. On the way to the show I saw a pawn shop that said "GUNS" on the building, so I stopped and checked what they had. They had a nice M1903 Mark I complete with a M1907 sling. I was interested but they were firm on the price and I wanted to see what was at the gun show first so I didn't buy it.

The show had several interesting older guns. There was a guy there who specializes in old gun sights. He had an entire display case full of old but excellent condition Lyman peep sights, enough for dozens of rifles. I bought some British web gear, an English-French phrase book from World War I with the American soldier's name and unit and the year 1918 inked in it, and this Steyr M95 short rifle. When I saw the stock I had to get it. It was full of cosmoline so it hasn't been fired since it was imported. The bore is in very good condition.



On the way home I stopped at the pawn shop as they were closing up. I put cash a little under their asking price on the counter, and they accepted. The M1903 Mark I's metal and wood are in excellent condition. It has a 6-42 barrel that has a shiny bore.



The stock has the original inspector's initials (W.J.S.) and a S.A./S.P.G. mark from a rebuild at Springfield Armory (Stanley P. Gibbs).



Stippled buttplate



M1907 sling marking



There was a even surprise inside of the buttstock.



So if you are passing through a town and see a pawn shop that sells guns, check them out. There might be something interesting inside.

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