Newb 1903 question

[sray53txtn]

I just signed up for this site after reading some of the forums over the last few weeks.
I have a 44 Springfield M1 Garand with an Dutch Evo barrel - really nice and enjoy shooting it.
I'm looking for a 1903 A3 (seem to be in limited supply) and found one at my local gun club.
Seller bought it last year from Aim surplus
US Model 1903 A3 .30-06 Rifle with C Stock
Classic Springfield 1903 A3 .30-06 caliber bolt actions Rifles. Each has been professionally refurbished utilizing brand new 4-Groove, 1-10 RH Twist Criterion barrels, U. S. receivers (Remington or Smith-Corona) and Full C stocks. We received just a small number of these fine rifles.
His is a Smith Corona action that is really nice.
I'll have some pics this weekend and get to run a few rounds through it.
he want $999 for it.
Any thoughts on the latest Aim Surplus 1903 A3s?

Information

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[pickax]

Likely refurbed drill rifle receiver. Probably good shooters but no collector value or appreciation over time.
That money will buy a nice original or arsenal rebuild with a tight GI barrel. They are out there on the web.

[rcathey]

That money will buy a nice original or arsenal rebuild with a tight GI barrel. They are out there on the web.

Agreed. There was some talk about this 1903A3 (link below) in the auction gossip forum. Should provide a good reference to how overpriced $999 is for the 1903A3 the OP describes.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/786725313

[sray53txtn]

Any way to confirm receiver welded or not?
I have disassembly skills and rifle in my possesion

[rcathey]

Any way to confirm receiver welded or not?

If they’ll let you take it out of the wood look where the barrel meets the receiver on the underside. If there’s an ugly spot or obvious grinding, it was a drill rifle.
Also look around the cutoff. Drill rifles were welded here too and it’s difficult (not impossible) to clean this area up to look nice.
If these areas look fine, it doesn’t prove it wasn’t a drill rifle. If these areas look bad, it was a drill rifle.

But really, it’s a moot point. $999 is overpriced either way. In my area, at auction, I see 1903A3s going for around $700.
And I go to a lot of auctions.

[El Woodman]

, oNot to sound like a prick elitist, but It's a Marine thing...I know, "everybody" calls them Springfields...But not around here ...There are several rifles we discuss-M1903, M1903A1, M1903A3, M1903A4...M1903s and M1903Ai1s were made by Springfield Armory (Ma., not the Inc. in Geneseo,Il.), Rock Island Arsenal (Il., not the Armory in the Pilippines) And Remington. M1903A3s and M1903A4s were made by Remington, and Smith-Corona (Yes, the typewriter people), and are hence not "Springfields". '03s and '03A1s had the rear sight mounted above the barrel, forward of the bolt; '03A3s have the rear sight mounted on the receiver, aft of the bolt; '03A4s are sniper variants with telescopic sights. There are subtle and not so much differences between '03/A1s and '03A3s and '03A4s that I'll let our experts enlighten you about. All have markings on various different stocks, that contribute to collector value. And some are "mixmasters" as we call them, which can be collectable, or just good shooters. If you just want to know a bit about your shooter, Welcome Aboard!..But if you want to learn more than you ever wanted to about a particular rifle, you've come to the right place...Have fun with your Remington, or SC. And as stated above $700 for a decent M1903A3.

[kablair]

El Woodman,

Did you forget that Remington made '03s ?

[El Woodman]

El Woodman,

Did you forget that Remington made '03s ?

I mentioned it...Read carefully

[browningautorifle]

Not to sound like a prick elitist

Well how about this then...we all knew what he was talking about and choose not to worry about it.

He asked for help, not correction.

[Chuckindenver]

distortion around the cut off switch is a dead give away as to being a recovered drill rifle. might post some pics of that area.. then we can help