Remington 1903a3 questions

[John Beard]

I was at the Louisville Ky gun show yesterday and saw an alledged Remington 1903a3 wrapped in green paper that had grease between it and the rifle. The box had a Railway Express bill on it and also a serial number. The owner will not remove the paper but is positive the rifle is new. From reading Bruce Canfields book I was lead to believe that the new unissued pieces sold through the NRA/DCM/CMP were not wrapped in grease but rather the arsenal rebuilds were for long term storage. Feedback/opinions would be appreciated. Greg

The green paper wrapping is an arsenal pack or re-pack. New rifles were originally shipped from the Remington factory unwrapped in 10-rifle crates.

The rifle might possibly be new, but is much more likely an arsenal overhaul.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

[gfguns]

Thanks John! I appreciate your opimion and I agree.
If it is an arsenal overhaul what do any of you think it would be worth still with the paper and box?

Thanks
Greg

[Mike D]

I guess it would depend on how much was overhualed. Parked bolt? New barrel? Original stock? Maybe $800-$1,000 would be my guess.

[John Beard]

Thanks John! I appreciate your opimion and I agree.
If it is an arsenal overhaul what do any of you think it would be worth still with the paper and box?

Thanks
Greg

Ironically, most of the rifle's value lies in the wrapping paper, grease, shipping box, and paperwork. Whether the rifle is new or an arsenal-overhaul is of a secondary nature.

I value the rifle in the $1500-$2500 range, depending on the condition and completeness of the aforementioned items.

Before getting serious about a purchase, however, one must peel back the wrapping paper enough to verify that the serial number on the rifle matches the paperwork, etc. Otherwise, the wrapping paper may harbor a well-greased boat paddle!

Merry Christmas!

J.B.

[gfguns]

John now that you mention it I remember the owner had pulled the paper back to expose the serial number and it does match the box. There is no paperwork except for the railway express bill on the box and it looks like parts of it are missing. There is a date stamped on the box showing it was shipped in 1960. Thank you so much for your help. Now I am thinking I may want to pay the $1,450..00 he is asking. Merry Christmas to you also. Greg

Ironically, most of the rifle's value lies in the wrapping paper, grease, shipping box, and paperwork. Whether the rifle is new or an arsenal-overhaul is of a secondary nature.

I value the rifle in the $1500-$2500 range, depending on the condition and completeness of the aforementioned items.

Before getting serious about a purchase, however, one must peel back the wrapping paper enough to verify that the serial number on the rifle matches the paperwork, etc. Otherwise, the wrapping paper may harbor a well-greased boat paddle!

Merry Christmas!

J.B.

[gfguns]

Hello all. I was able to make a deal on the Remington and wanted to post some pictures for you. It has not been unwrapped yet except to varify the serial number. The address label as you can see indicates N.R.A. Raritan Arsenal as the shipper and a seperate paper label has "Tooele Ordnance Depot" in pink ink. More to follow when I figure out how to do the unwrapping to cause as little damage to the paper as possible. Thanks Greg

[John Beard]

Hello all. I was able to make a deal on the Remington and wanted to post some pictures for you. It has not been unwrapped yet except to varify the serial number. The address label as you can see indicates N.R.A. Raritan Arsenal as the shipper and a seperate paper label has "Tooele Ordnance Depot" in pink ink. More to follow when I figure out how to do the unwrapping to cause as little damage to the paper as possible. Thanks Greg

Congratulations!

As mentioned previously, the value in your prize rests in the rifle being mummified in its original wrapping paper. Every disturbance you make to the wrapping paper beyond enough to see the serial number is $$$ down the drain. You need not worry about the rifle being poorly preserved. I feel very confident that it's packed in a generous supply of cosmoline.

Congratulations again! And thanks for the pictures!

J.B.

[Chuckindenver]

i know that rifle...its ok...its been out of that grease before..{me}
do you think that Rich cold stand having such a think without seeing it??
lol.

[Jeff L]

If you really want to know the serial number, you might be able to X-ray it at your local doctor or vet clinic depending who you are more familiar with and who might give you a better deal. That way you won't disturb the cosmo mummification. Just a thought.

-Jeff L

[Lancebear]

The green paper wrapping is an arsenal pack or re-pack. New rifles were originally shipped from the Remington factory unwrapped in 10-rifle crates.

The rifle might possibly be new, but is much more likely an arsenal overhaul.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

Hey J.B.,

The premium is in the wrap and box etc. Glad Gf is happy but where is the fun?

Leavin' the rifle all wrapped up ya' can never know what it looks like, it's just an investment (like a good coin, not fun but nice to have, but ya' can see the coin). But unwrapping it takes the premium off. Even if the rifle is new and original the arsenal that packed it would have stamped the stock even if it was only inspected and nothing was changed, that right?

I'd have to unwrap it and photo document the process and strip and clean the rifle but the premium then goes out the window. The fun would then be pricey. My head is spinnin' on this. Ironic mummy rifle.

Guess If a guy is wealthy and has a stable of '03's and wants a wrapped rifle that's just fine. I'd have to unwrap it and have fun. I hope Gf takes a look and has fun. I mean if the rifle is all original and new it would still be worth almost what he paid for it? Sorry if my thoughts make no good sense but the rifle stirred up a lot of brain traffic. Interesting find.

Thanks for your expert opinion and all the rest,

LB