Boy-Oh-Boy Someone did a number on this 1903

[enbloc8]

I take back my prior statement about "no gas relief holes"...in the full side view, the original (inadequate) gas vent hole is visible on the right side of the receiver ring. Not visible in the posted close-up pic. Derp.

That said, not all 1903 extractors have the corresponding vent hole...I wonder if that was a contributing factor here.

I'd still consider this receiver done, or at least due for some serious inspection.

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[ssgross]

it's priced as a nice paperweight right now!

[Patrick Chadwick]

200$ plus - A bit expensive as a paperweight!

Possible sequence: Bubba takes rifle of dubious origin and makes a really “hot” load. Cartridge case disintegrates in chamber, thus jamming extractor. Bubba whacks bolt handle with blunt object to free it. Bolt handle snaps off (which it surely should not do: bend - yes, snap - no).
Bolt is driven back, thus snapping off the hook of the extractor. The chamber will have been seriously overloaded, with the remains of the case and extractor hook jamming it.

All pressure-bearing parts have been damaged. A proof house here would condemn it as soon as they saw it, and not even accept it for proof. Scrap is scrap. And hazardous 1903 scrap is also scrap.

[Daan Kemp]

I like the welded option. Looks like serious effort to get the welds off.

[ssgross]

Looking at the discoloration, which is obviously too bright to be rust. Along the bolt it looks like bubba took a brass punch in an attempt to get beat the bolt back. The chunk missing from the extractor collar look like he kept wedging it in, with it slipping along the back side, until the collar bent upward enough to grab, and then snap off.

Bolt handle areal looks like a combination of pressure, and beating on it. If it were a burst load, hot gas would that didn't make it out the side would have got back into the bolt, cracking the metal around the bolt sleeve threads where the handle is, making it easy to break the handle off. The picture shows what looks like a bulge in front of where the bolt handle should be.

Just cleaning it up for parts makes it a free paper weight? Milled bottom metal goes for over 100 these days, butt plate 20-50, milled upper band $75, lower band 50...just comparing against what is selling on eBay right now.

[browningautorifle]

Looking at the discoloration, which is obviously too bright to be rust.

You should expand the picture in a new screen then. The discoloration is only where it's bee ground down.

[mmppres]

Now we all know that some one out there thinks it can be saved an re-built so that they can pass it off an grandpa's rifle an sell it for big money

[usabaker]

Now we all know that some one out there thinks it can be saved an re-built so that they can pass it off an grandpa's rifle an sell it for big money

Hmm, I don't know... In its current condition, even IF the receiver is able to be used; the amount of part and work this would take would cost more than the return on investment. I buy some junk, well a lot of junk, to fix just to fix - sometimes for fun and just sometimes out of curiosity and for something that challenges me. But even I can see it's not worth it at the current selling price. Looks like there are bidders that have a higher tolerance than me its at $355.00 right now.

[browningautorifle]

If a guy has a shop and the equipment there anyway, a strip and touch up, bead blast and parkerize would hide most of the old damage. It'll probably resurface as a scarce something or other at a gunshow...?

[mmppres]

I see some of them selling for 1200.00 plus at guns shows every weekend. Even as high as 1600.00 for ones that look like new. So some bubba will try to make it look right. Thinking that putting out 500 or so he can make some big money. I dont understand these dealers that carry the same rifles an pistols around from show to show. Sometimes for years never selling. My opinion is if not sold in a few shows i have to drop the price. Or i dont eat lolol