Help with Identification and possibly value ...

[Bakermark65]

For the record, I don't think you are the bad guy..period. I never said that and want to make that clear. I am unsure of the means by which my dad got the rifle, but IMHO I don't think it was stolen. My brother's embellishment, and my choice of words was not the best,...hey, I'm human. I apologize for ticking you off in any way. I commend both you and your Dad for your meritorious service, as I do my father. A little history, of what I know of my father's service, that I am extremely proud of....My Dad enlisted in the army during WWII. He served in the infantry, and landed somewhere in France as a glider troop...quite a harrowing feat. After fighting in Europe, and the end of the war, he was part of the occupying force in Japan for many years. Afterwards, he returned home and went into the National Guard until before the Korea, when he went back to active service. He served in Korea, and later in Vietnam, first as a military advisor, then an artillery commander. Upon returning after several tours in Vietnam, he was assigned to ARADCOM, and later served as Deputy IG for the ARADCOM in CONUS, until retirement in 1972. The list of medals that Dad earned is quite long, including several Purple Hearts, Legion of Merit, Bronze and Silver Stars. He joined the Army as a Private, and retired as a Colonel, never even having finished high school. I also commend my Mom for raising 5 kids while Dad was away for years fighting for the freedoms that we all enjoy daily.

On a side note, many years after retirement, Dad went back to school on the GI Bill, and to earn a bachelors degree. There was one catch...he hadn't received a high school diploma, so had to complete a GED course before officially graduating from college!!!

I certainly didn't mean to cause a ruckus on this forum for sure, and it was quite unexpected. As I have stated, I will post pics as soon as I can. My camera isn't the best, but I think the lighting is the biggest issue. I appreciate the advice on the rifle, and possible restoration. After posting pics, maybe there will be some more insight.

Everybody on this forum seems to bring some knowledge and experience, and for that I am grateful.

Once again Rick, I bear no hard feelings towards you or anything you have said. You, as a decorated veteran, have the right to be passionate about your service and that of your Dad's. I certainly didn't intend to diminish the credibility of my father's honorable service to our country, and should have chosen my words more wisely. To some he may have been a war hero...but to me he was MY hero.

Thanks for straightening me out on that one!!

Mark

[Bakermark65]

Okay, so I have some pics, and I'm going to try and upload them now.....if I screw up, you'll certainly know!!! Sorry about the dust, I need to wipe the rifle off next time...

[JGaynor]

Mark, thanks for posting the pictures of your rifle.

As you are aware at sometime in the past it was sporterized.

The stock does not look like an A4 stock to me. Are there any extra rifle stocks in your family's treasures? A couple of things about the one on the rifle that just don't seem quite right. If the original is still kicking around somewhere about 80% of the restoration effort will be taken care of.

The barrel and possibly the receiver appear to have been polished and cold blued. There are several people who can refinish (parkerize) the metal parts but i would start with our own chuckindenver. He has done these before and knows what he is doing.

For parts you will need the barrelguard, bayonet lug band, and the front and rear barrel bands. Good sources for blued versions are:

1903 & 1903 A3 Collector Rifle stocks or,

http://www.bill.ricca.com

If you need a stock that will be tougher. An original A4 stock will be very hard to find. About the best you will be able to do will be 1. A NOS M1903A1 ("C" or Scant) that you will have to modify for the bolt handle or 2. a modern reproduction from SARCO or one of the other suppliers.

Regards,

Jim

PS: you will also need the retaining ring for the barrelguard.

[Mike D]

Bakermark65 - You have no reason to apologize for anything! It's kinda sad that your first thread is a classic example of how strong opinions can be formed from just reading words, which can NOT portray their true meaning without being heard or seen.

The metal on the rifle has clearly been polished, especially the barrel. The stock is not original. The scope, although produced late WWII, is correct for Korean War era, but not the original. Not saying it doesn't have value, but...

Finding a real A4 stock and refinishing the metal will not be worth it to me. After spending alot of money on a "restoration" it will still never be "original", and you could never go back to "the way it was when Dad had it".

If you want to put the rifle back close to military configuration, buy a repro A4 C-stock, handguard, and the bands to go with it. Or you could buy a WWII era C-stock and make the bolt notch yourself. Your lookin' at about $200 to do that, and you won't be permanately changing anything.

Enjoy it for what it is - a nice piece of WWII history, but more than that - memories of your Father.

[Mohawk]

Nice rifle. Thanks For sharing. Your Father is a True American. From a 22 Year Army Vet, Thanks to Your Father for Stepping Up and Doing his Duty ......

[Thaine]

deleted some how I only got the first page initially

Thaine

[Bakermark65]

As a follow up, and with help of some kind members, I purchased what was listed as a "Stock, Type C, Unissued" from Numrich. When it arrived, I was disappointed in the condition of the stock. There are some deep watermarks/stains in the wood, and presumably some leftover mold/mildew from those stains. When I called, the rep. stated that it was clearly stated in the description that there were watermarks, stains and light surface rust on the stock???

I didn't see it in the add, so I might just return it and continue a search unless someone might have some info on how to remove these blemishes. Once I try and fix the stock, I cannot return it.

I have posted some pics in another thread if anyone wants to take a look see:

Need a stock, anybody got one?

Thank,

Mark

[JGaynor]

Mark you might want to take a look at this discussion of Sarco replacement stocks from the CMP board:
Sarco Stocks - CMP Forums

The stocks are not surplus or NOS but new manufacture. The comments are generally favorable.

There was a time when virtually everything that companies like Numrich and Sarco was original GI, much of it new. Years of steady demand has consumed the best stuff so now what are seeing is mainly the bottom of the barrel or reproductions. The reproductions can vary in quality but in this case the Sarco stocks seem to be fairly decent.

Regards,

jim

[Bakermark65]

Thanks Jim!!