Sa 1903 mark 1

[browningautorifle]

Actual cash does lubricate the machine of business sometimes, like Harlan says...

[DaveN]

You maybe right about the cash in hand but 200 off may be all his profit . My Garand is still there ( I traded for $784 in 2 handguns) and the tag says $995.99. If I really wanted it I would offer 7 ($100 less) but I don't think it's worth that price. His hired help said he won't budge on it so there you are.

[Kirk]

. . . the front hand guard has strange what looks like wood inlays( about 4-5 ) running on top and perpendicular to the line of fire??

If the "inlays" are about .1" thick & 1.5" long, they are probably "biscuit" repairs made by the Greeks. The repairs were made to cracked hand guards to keep them serviceable. Your rifle is likely a M1903 that was sold through the CMP which had been leant to the Greeks back in the late 40s or early 50s. Is there a partial s/n (4 digits) etched on the root of the bolt handle? A "B" stamped on the floor plate? These are also signs of Greek service.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I think Kirk is most likely correct that it's a Greek rifle. Also, the Greeks did do a lot of the biscuit repairs on CMP returns I've seen.

You'll have to do what you're comfortable with Dave, but I really don't think it would be out of line to offer him $600 cash. All he can say is "no". Also, dealers often do mark up prices on used guns taken in more than you might think. I think $600 is a fair offer for what I have in mind of what this rifle is. (JMO)

I paid $650 for this one. It had been restored but I think it's in the same ballpark.
Mark I's don't seem to carry any real premium above like 1903's.





No way to know if this was authentic, but I thought it was kond of neat -

[RBruce]

JMHO: I would say that it is worth $795 only if the barrel date matches the SSN range; if the bolt is correct for the SN range; if the rear sight is correct; if the stock hardware is correct; and of course if the stock is an original MARK I. I'd take off value for markings on the bolt and floor plate, and other incorrect parts. The handguard can be replace with an original, although it will be expensive. The bolt also can be replaced if needed, also expensive. Correct stocks are scarce as hens teeth, and can easily be faked. I wouldn't worry about having the correct trigger and cutoff. Most of them were removed after WWI by the government. But, they can be found. I wouldn't sell my MARK I which has all original parts and a period sling for less than $1500, but that's just me.

[DaveN]

Here are a couple of quick IPHONE shots and yes the 1st pic is focused on a 1911 so if I'm going to be out of focus at least it's focused on a great handgun Eh? The biscuit repairs were like you said but were 1/4 inch wide, and is the front hand guard supposed to be loose like on a M1?

[Kirk]

The Greek biscuit repairs are closer to .1" than .25". The picture shows 6 biscuit repairs to an A3 hand guard.
Attachment 30667

The M1903 hand guards are supposed to be tight. They are held by a lip on the front edge of the fixed rear sight base at the rear (if it is loose there, the corresponding lip on the hand guards may be missing) and clamped to the stock by the upper band at the top.

The stock you show appears to be a Mk 1 stock that was heavily sanded (rear stock bolt is bright); on an unsanded stock, the head would be about .05-.1" below the surface. After it was heavily sanded it was heavily used!

The special Mk 1 parts, besides the stock, consist of a hammer & sear (split sear visible with the bolt removed from the receiver); a magazine cut off (has a W-shaped profile when viewed from above) and spindle (slotted like a screw but it is still a pin) as shown here & compared to standard parts.
Attachment 30668 Attachment 30671 Attachment 30669 Attachment 30670

[DaveN]

I had forgot about this thread. Thanks to all for you help on this rifle. Your input is valued by me. I do Plan on dropping by to see if it's still available. I'll let you know .

[Jason60chev]

Hi Dave,

Having the correct stock is a real plus in my opinion. I think I'd get six one hundred bills and offer them. Often with milsurps, stores will mark them up a bit thinking the buyer will want to bargain them down some. They mark them up so they can come down and still make a profit. If he didn't take the money I'd walk and not feel bad. (JMO)

I was at a large gunshop in Yuma, Az.....starts with an "S"...... last fall while training for a job. They had a few racks of used rifles which contained a pretty beat up Eddystone M1917. Not much finish, stock had been cut down......the price tag stated $299. I took the rifle to the counter and asked if they could do better. The guy took the rifle to the back room. He returned and told me that the price tag was an old sale price and that the current price was $399 and was firm!. How's that for bargaining?! Needless to say, I did not buy that particular rifle.

[emmagee1917]

Yah , I was in there . He brought me out a 1917 to get my opinion on. It had been sportized , stock cut , bbl cut , ears cut , etc. I looked it over , shook my head , and said " Someone spent a lot of time and money making an eight hundred dollar rifle into a two hundred dollar rifle ." He reached across the counter and picked the rifle out of my hands without a word and sat it in the rack behind the counter. That's when I saw his eight hundred dollar price tag on it . Oops .
Chris