Original 1903? Not re-arsenaled???

[Wolley]

There's one at the gunshow here in Colorado Springs and they want a ridiculous amount of money for it.
S/N 1223xxx
Barrel 2-21
Forgot to look at the bolt.
No re-arsenal marks of any kind.
W.E.S. inspector. Got a soft spot for that as my name is Wes.
Smooth butt plate
What are the chances that this thing was never re-arsenaled?
If so what would be a fair price?
I'll tell you how high it is. I could probably get him down a 1000 bucks and it would still be twice what a good condition 03 is.

Information

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[Jim Tarleton]

Wow. Too much money for the rifle, even if never reworked.

Jim

[Jeff L]

I'll second that. WES inspected from 1916-17. In this economy, I'd offer $600 and go from there. If he's starting at more than $1000, I'll bet he won't come down very far. How good is the bore: ME, TE?

Caveat Emptor

-Jeff L

[Wolley]

I'll second that. WES inspected from 1916-17. In this economy, I'd offer $600 and go from there. If he's starting at more than $1000, I'll bet he won't come down very far. How good is the bore: ME, TE?

Caveat Emptor

-Jeff L

So with a 1921 serial number and barrel the stock is not correct?
I didn't take my gauges with me. Should have but forgot them.

[Rick the Librarian]

WES inspected as early as 1908 - his stamp is on my John Gillie rifle (SA 78180). He also inspected into the early 1920s, so the inspection stamp may be correct.

[Chuckindenver]

id be leary of any rifle with a story and high pricetag.
might want to avoid sticking gauges in guys rifles at shows, thats a good way to be ejected from the show, or at least ASK first. if the guy knows the rifle, he may already know what the specs are..
at least 3 times a yeat i get some self proclaimed expert, trying to gauge the TE on one of my 03,s with a Garand gauge, i stop them before they even get it in the rifle,
and say,,,all you have to is ask..i have the right gauge for that job, and already know what it measures.
have yet to see an 03 with a worn out muzzle, as they were cleaned from the other end.
with a rifle made in 1919 1920, are you really going to be shooting it every weekend? and crack that 500.00 stock?

[Wolley]

id be leary of any rifle with a story and high pricetag.
might want to avoid sticking gauges in guys rifles at shows, thats a good way to be ejected from the show, or at least ASK first. if the guy knows the rifle, he may already know what the specs are..
at least 3 times a yeat i get some self proclaimed expert, trying to gauge the TE on one of my 03,s with a Garand gauge, i stop them before they even get it in the rifle,
and say,,,all you have to is ask..i have the right gauge for that job, and already know what it measures.
have yet to see an 03 with a worn out muzzle, as they were cleaned from the other end.
with a rifle made in 1919 1920, are you really going to be shooting it every weekend? and crack that 500.00 stock?

Heck I won't pick up a rifle unless I ask first.
I'm just trying to get an idea what would be a fair price for the rifle if it is what it appears to be. I'm thinking 12-1500 tops which is over a grand less then the asking price. And no if it is indeed all original it would not be a shooter. At least not every weekend anyway.
The seller struck me wrong anyway and I would have to spend a lot of time researching the rifle before I would trust him.
He also had a rebuilt 03A3 at his table that was obviously a recovered receiver. He didn't deny it when I asked about but he wouldn't acknowledge it either.

[Jeff L]

I was going based on the years they had listed in Brophy's. I changed my mind on the price, offer $500. On top of being a down economy, it's buyer market.

-Jeff L

[Chuckindenver]

i probbably know the rifles, and the seller...
if you PM me the dealers name, i can give you more info..maybe.

[John Beard]

There's one at the gunshow here in Colorado Springs and they want a ridiculous amount of money for it.
S/N 1223xxx
Barrel 2-21
Forgot to look at the bolt.
No re-arsenal marks of any kind.
W.E.S. inspector. Got a soft spot for that as my name is Wes.
Smooth butt plate
What are the chances that this thing was never re-arsenaled?
If so what would be a fair price?
I'll tell you how high it is. I could probably get him down a 1000 bucks and it would still be twice what a good condition 03 is.

(1) I hesitate to speculate on the probability that the rifle you examined has not been overhauled. I can only state that original examples are extremely scarce.

(2) Walter E. Strong (W.E.S.) is the correct inspector for an early 1921 rifle. That's documented!

(3) The rifle you describe in excellent original condition should start at about $2500 and go up from there.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.