The last and final Springfield 1903A1 NM

[m1903rifle]

Hope you do not mind a piggyback on your post. A friend just obtained a minty 03 SN 3022999 if you could be kind enough to provide SRS data on this one?

Not much info for M1903 Remingtons in the SRS data. Yours is not listed, but here are the closest numbers:

3023202 02/03/90 USMC FIELD MUSEUM QUANTICO
3091705 09/16/48 VFW POST 7208

[cplstevennorton]

That's really sad and surprising to hear! Do you think it is because most youngsters want "Tactikool" rifles?

These precision rifles are hand made works of art.

I don't know what it is. The prices for a standard shooter are just fine. But it's the collector market that tanked. But it's not just M1903, it's sort of across the board.

I remember when the bottom fell out on Krags and trapdoors. I think it's just because the collector's died off mostly. I'm not sure it won't happen a lot on the M1903 as well.

I know when I look around the collector military gunshows like OGCA, I'm 39 and the youngest guy there.

[rcathey]

I know when I look around the collector military gunshows like OGCA, I'm 39 and the youngest guy there.

Try being 28 and setting up at a gun show. Some guy seriously asked me if my "dad was around" once.
I've seen this downturn too. It's even bitten me a couple times since it's happened so quick. I buy something for what I saw it sell for a year or two ago and I can't sell it for 75% of that.

[rice 123]

I think it is because guys my age grew up watching combat and reading comics like Sgt Rock and our dads fought in WW11 so we have an affinity to ww11 weapons But we are dieing off.. younger guys grew up watching V N movies and playing video games where M16 were used and when they got older if they went into they military they were issued M16s . So the younger guys really have no interest in WW11 weapons. my grandson turned 21 I wanted to give him my rock ola carbine but instead he went nuts over a beat up AR that was in my safe and took that instead. So over the next 10 years I look for ww11 weapons to decrease in value

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

So over the next 10 years I look for ww11 weapons to decrease in value

If the omission/twisting of history continues from the education system I fear you may be correct. I hope there will always be a core (as those here) that appreciate these weapons for more than just there monetary value but there true value as weapons carried by brave men in epic battles (some with clear cut good vs evil some less clear cut) representing the inevitability of war
and its costs to the living and the dead.•

“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.” ― Edmund Burke

[Rick the Librarian]

The last verified M1903 rifle was in the 1,536,000 range.

[Tom Jackson]

I have M1903A1NM 1526131, barrel date "3-39" with "D1" bolt. The rifle is essentially new with the original SA shipping crate. Steve is right, M1903 rifles have fallen in price. However, really nice rifles usually sell well at auction. I think the market for average condition collectible firearms has really taken a hit. I suspect the trend will continue as the current group of collectors age and anti-firearm sentiment increases. I am debating selling my collection before the market gets worse or hanging on to it and letting whoever eventually inherits it deal with it.

[Rick the Librarian]

I had a graphic example of what Tom said - listed a beautiful early Rock Island - no-bolt stock, all original, on a major auction house. It went for $1600 ($1280 after commission) - about half to 2/3 what I thought it would bring.

[Roadkingtrax]

I have M1903A1NM 1526131, barrel date "3-39" with "D1" bolt. The rifle is essentially new with the original SA shipping crate. Steve is right, M1903 rifles have fallen in price. However, really nice rifles usually sell well at auction. I think the market for average condition collectible firearms has really taken a hit. I suspect the trend will continue as the current group of collectors age and anti-firearm sentiment increases. I am debating selling my collection before the market gets worse or hanging on to it and letting whoever eventually inherits it deal with it.

The single greatest thing to ensure a rifle retains value is to document it if possible. The second would be to buy it cheap.

[tristan]

I have always had an itch for a late NM 1903 with an SA/SPG. Maybe I can afford one now.

I have M1903A1NM 1526131, barrel date "3-39" with "D1" bolt. The rifle is essentially new with the original SA shipping crate. Steve is right, M1903 rifles have fallen in price. However, really nice rifles usually sell well at auction. I think the market for average condition collectible firearms has really taken a hit. I suspect the trend will continue as the current group of collectors age and anti-firearm sentiment increases. I am debating selling my collection before the market gets worse or hanging on to it and letting whoever eventually inherits it deal with it.