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  1. #1
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
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    M1903A4 fake or original

    The company "Old Arms of Idaho" opened a thread on this board where he linked to a small military arms collection he bought and is selling on gunbroker. He had posted this thread here: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=61310

    Looking at the auctions I noticed a M1903A4 rifle, which I looked at in detail. It appeared to me to have been scrubbed and reserialized.

    I am therefore kindly asking others to give their opinion on the rifle being original or not. See http://www.gunbroker.com/item/657204109 - thank you!
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    Last edited by Badger; 06-20-2017 at 11:06 AM.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Some stock stamps look they were done yesterday!

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    I have to agree with you, the barrel ring markings look as you've described. The "G" is an "O" with a line inserted. The number was done yesterday. The whole affair looks to have been ground or polished. The area under the front sight looks to have been polished and blued...

    Here's another for a look... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....ghlight=1903a4
    Regards, Jim

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    Promo. I agree with the othhers. Yes, it looks like the serial number area has been ground down and a new number applied. The numbers don't look quite right--(shape and depth). Also the front sight and muzzle have been cold blued, another dead give away. Yikes! When will this stop! Salt Flat

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    I thought I put an answer on the other posting where he's defending so hard but it appears not to be... I expect he'll take it and run. I can't imagine why such a hard sell here...
    Regards, Jim

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    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    I have to agree with you, the barrel ring markings look as you've described. The "G" is an "O" with a line inserted. The number was done yesterday. The whole affair looks to have been ground or polished. The area under the front sight looks to have been polished and blued...

    Here's another for a look... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....ghlight=1903a4
    I would have to concur guys, unfortunately it doesn't appear to be right.

    A very Birchwood Casey looking cold blue at the muzzle.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Promo View Post
    The company "Old Arms of Idaho" opened a thread on this board where he linked to a small military arms collection he bought and is selling on gunbroker. He had posted this thread here: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=61310

    Looking at the auctions I noticed a M1903A4 rifle, which I looked at in detail. It appeared to me to have been scrubbed and reserialized.

    I am therefore kindly asking others to give their opinion on the rifle being original or not. See http://www.gunbroker.com/item/657204109 - thank you!
    I don't know where the original post has gone but I did put a thanks to your comments Georg, even a blind man on a galloping horse could spot that one, it reminds me of a SMLE No1 MkV, I purchased from a "so called Enfield specialist" all nice with my questions etc, but when it arrived and as soon as the Butt come out the Wrapper I knew it was a lash up, of course pointing out it had a EFD very early fore-end and repro sight etc etc...... I got a right ear full of " you don't know what your talking about ".........I did return it and got a refund, lost a few ££ in post etc but it wasn't the first one, it ended up in an auction over here a few years ago.


    I like others appreciate your concerns and knowledge and I hope it will help deter those that have the hard earned cash burning a hole in the pocket.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bigduke6 View Post
    I don't know where the original post has gone
    I have a feeling that management has erased the whole thing, I sent a message that he was trying to sell on open forum. Plus the acrimony he was implying...
    Regards, Jim

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    He changed the description on GunBroker.

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    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    I have a feeling that management has erased the whole thing, I sent a message that he was trying to sell on open forum. Plus the acrimony he was implying...
    Still there....

    For the benefit of any members considering bidding, I felt it was in their best interests to obtain as much feedback as possible from expert 1903 collectors, about this piece.

    Regards,
    Doug

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