Please tell me about this gun.

[KevH]

I went into the shop intent on purchasing the 1903 I posted about last Friday and behold they had a second 1903. The serial number is 1529865.



C Stock







Weird number on the top of the forearm



Barrel Markings "8-38" ...note the front sight hood

Information

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[tomwatts]

Or tell me where this store is and I will be there monday!

But honestly, I am not enough of an expert to say with 100% assurance but this looks like a 1938 National Match 03. It has the correct "C" Stock, the stock numbers remind me of match rifle pictures I have seen. The barrel matchs the receiver etc. etc.

Of course I could be wrong, or it could be faked.

Heck that stock alone would pull $500 on flea bay.

All I am saying is don't let it get away without getting more feedback here!

Cool find regardless!
Tom

[KevH]

What would an appropriate price be?

[tomwatts]

Way over my head here, but even if this is not a match rifle, I would think this would pull 950.00 to 1,200,00 on gunbroker.

If it is a match rifle, much more probably, I am going to guess north of 1,500. But I really don't track the high end guns, out of my budget.

[KevH]

The bolt is blued so I assume it's NOT a National Match since NM's have polished bolts.

[vintage hunter]

Did it have a star gage (*) on the muzzle?

[KevH]

I don't know. I'll check tomorrow. Anything else I should look for?

[vintage hunter]

I'm no expert but if it has a star gaged barrel there should be a 3 or 4 digit # on the bbl about 1/3 down under the handguard in front of the rear sight that starts with a letter, example: B3490. There should also be D1836 on the bottom of the stock in front of the rear sling swivel along with the rifle s/n. if the stock has'nt been heavily sanded. The bolt should have the s/n on it too and the receiver rails should be polished. You're right about NM's having polished bolts but it could have been blued by a previous owner, or the whole thing may have been assembled by a civilian 'smith using a NM barrel. You need to take some more pictures of the stock from all 4 sides plus one of the muzzle and some with the handguard off and one of the cut off recess. This will help in figuring out whether it's an NM or just a plain '03a1. I also noticed that it has'nt been drilled/tapped for a Lyman 48.

[Calif-Steve]

Is the shop on El Camino Real? Frank is a tough guy to deal with. He normally has over-priced military rifles for sale. Good luck.

[KevH]

I also forgot to mention the gun has a checkered buttplate and holes on hear side of the receiver (Hatcher holes?).