1903 Mark 1s

[A. F Medic]

Is there are sudden increase in the value of Mark 1s especially for the seller?. Usual starting price is $1,200 to $3,000! Not a typo!

I have a arsenal rebuild of 1942 that is reblued and possibly restocked. SN 1186691. Bore is frosty but shoots well. Has original Hoyt 42 sling. 1942 barrel.

I am thinking of letting this one go but has anybody sold one lately locally? Gander offered me about $400.00 as their used gun pricing has changed to 40% of the Blue Book price rather than the 60% they had before. I am not that dumb!

I figure $1,000 would be a good starting price. I do not have any images of the rifle right now as I just want to see what others may have sold one for or have seen them offered. Not a lot of Mark 1s on the internet right now that I could find. THANKS!

Information

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[Mike D]

The only ones that command that kind of premium are all original. Meaning finish, barrel, stock, trigger, sear, cutoff, etc. Any other Mark I that has been through an arsenal rebuild, and has lost that originality, is not worth more than any other '03 in similiar condition.

Sellers will use the Mark I as a "rare breed" to catch an unsuspecting buyer. My first '03 was a Mark I, and yes, I got caught.

[Calif-Steve]

I have heard it said that the Mk1's do not shoot that well. That port in the left side of the receiver allows the receiver to "whip" about ever so slightly hurting accuracy. Hurts the long range accuracy, for sure. Yes, indeed, making one "correct" is well nigh impossible. Too many guys chasing too few parts. When they are in good shape, with all of the parts present, they do go for more money.

[Emri]

ALL of the Mark I's that I have seen on the auction sites for several years or more have been way overpriced on both the opening bid or a "buy it now" price. Like Mike D stated, an "original finish as manufactured" piece with all the proper parts will bring a good price. Most have been re-built and are just another rebuilt M1903, NO premium should be added for the Mark I designation.

FWIW,

Emri

[Calif-Steve]

JB could help here. After the Pedersen Devices were tossed, SA released the Mk1 into general issue. They removed all of the Mk1 parts and replaced them with standard parts. Finding an original Mk1 with correct parts is a bear. I have 3 Mk1's here, but only is correct.

[John Beard]

If you can get $1,000 for an overhauled and re-barreled Mark I rifle with a frosty bore, you should take it.

Mark I rifles have a very interesting history, some of which is still being researched. The information currently published is not entirely accurate. The directive about removing and replacing Mark I parts with standard parts was largely ignored.

J.B.

[PhillipM]

I agree on the value of a rebuilt one MKI. As CRF on the old Jouster board once said, "At 10% of production, they aren't scarce, heck they aren't even rare!"