Red star 03

[sakorick]

Somebody is going to get a rare piece! Red Star Remington US Model 1903 : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com


What say the experts? Regards, Rick.

The experts have spoken and I redacted this post. I hope he gets his price on a very rare piece albeit not one of the nicer ones. Regards, Rick.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Badger]

For members not familiar with these and with thanks to Advisory Panel member Terry Hawker, check the MKL...

(Click PIC to Enlarge)


Red Star Remington Model 1903's (click here)

Regards,
Doug

[sakorick]

37150 could not have possibly had a 12-41 barrel. It had to have been manufactured in Feb or March of 1942. Yes....No?? Where is the RLB cartouche?? Regards, Rick.

[Calif-Steve]

This would likely be a 11-41 barrel with a N-Z marked stock. Just my guess and I await Rick's comments.

[sakorick]

My NZ marked early 03 is SN 3021131 with a 01-42 barrel. Early 03 Remington It was one of several rifles turned in by the American Legion or VFW and all these rifles were inspected and certified by John Beard for the CMP. The rifle in question is 17,000 serial numbers newer with a month older marked barrel. The stock does not look worn enough to have obliterated the RLB cartouche. I am very very suspicious of this rifle being correct. I suppose a 12-41 barrel could have laid around for several months and installed on a 2-42 rifle but not very likely. The rifle also has 6 inspection cartouches and both my early Remingtons have 4. Lastly, the paint stripe on the HG does not line up with the paint on the stock.....all the red star rifles I have seen were painted while the rifle was assembled. Regards, Rick.

[WarPig1976]

Few things in see, Rasp marks all over the left side of the stock including where the cartouche should be. If the rifle is sooo worn why are there no nicks in the trigger guard / floor plate, or on any of the metal for that matter. Red flags in my book...

[sakorick]

My 1-42 Remington was carried around to hundreds of funerals the the trunks of cars and Pick-up beds. Although it shows compression marks from this abuse, the RLB cartouche and OC canons are still vivid. On the rifle in question, there are matching rasp marks on both sides of the recoil lug head and the lug looks perfect indicating either the factory used a rasp during production(unlikely) or someone else took it apart and defaced that side of the stock. The top rear of the HG looks like new! If you add up the total package including "For the serious collector. From a private collection.", their are red flags all over this piece. A serious seller would have serious pictures documenting all R marked parts and his pictures show me nothing but questions. Regards, Rick.

I just noticed the E behind the circle P. I have never seen that cartouche on a Remington stock.....K yes. E no.

[Rick the Librarian]

He may well get what he's asking. The serial number is one of those on the "list" of those sold through the Red Star gunshop that gave these rifles their "generic" name. The missing RLB is not unknown. I looked at a 3,004,000 range Red Star rifle without an RLB, which in all other ways, was perfect. I seem to recall these were sold from Red Star about 20 years ago - who knows where this rifle has been since then.

I agree that more and detailed pictures would be a better idea. From what he does post, it appears to be correct to me. The 12-41 barrel is within the ranges of what I have seen on Remington M1903s in this group.

I would say that the opening bid is probably what the rifle is worth, although it is far from one of the nicer examples. I have seen nicer examples sell for more.

[sakorick]

I have been looking for one of these for a long time......this one I would not consider. I would much rather pay a premium on one that has all the cartouches and is in primo condition. I contend there is much to worry about with this particular piece. Regards, Rick.

[Rick the Librarian]

This is one of the "less nice" examples and I agree, if you want a good one, this might be worth passing on.