Remington 1903, 1942

[fangerdog]

Hello all, new guy here. I've been a collector and shooter for about 60 years now. I've always liked US military guns and have owned quite a few over the decades. I'm getting older and I'm selling off some of the stuff that I'm not particularly attached to. One item I dug out of the back of my safe is this sporterized 1903 Remington manufactured in 1942. I bought this in 1973 for 50 or 75 dollars. I bought it as a bad weather backup hunting rifle but decided that I wanted to restore it to it's original military configuration. That was my 1973 plan. After 47 years of not getting around to it, I've retired and I'm looking at it again. Now I'm wondering if the cost of sourcing the parts is worth it. I should have bought the parts in 1974 when stocks were probably 10 dollars. Are all the wood and metal stock pieces still available for reasonable money? I've always really liked 1903s and 03A3s and now I wouldn't mind restoring this one so I can look at it and feel like I completed my 47 year old plan.

[fangerdog]

First attempt at attaching pics of 1903 Rem

[m1903rifle]

Probably not the best candidate for restoration due to the receiver sight, missing rear barrel sight, and the high cost of the stock, hand guard, and metal parts such as bands,bolts, etc.

[browningautorifle]

I wanted to restore it to it's original military configuration.

I agree, it's a fine example of a hunting rifle and should likely stay as such. Too much money will be spent and it won't be right, just close...

[fangerdog]

I'm assuming by modifications which can't be undone you mean the holes drilled into the receiver to mount the rear sight. I guess since I haven't restored it for 47 years I can live with it. But i sure do like the look of a 1903 and I sure don't like the look of my sporterized version. Thanks all for your input.

[browningautorifle]

But i sure do like the look of a 1903 and I sure don't like the look of my sporterized version.

You can likely sell that one and push the funds towards a shooter 1903...bet you could do OK too.

[rcathey]

You can likely sell that one and push the funds towards a shooter 1903...bet you could do OK too.

Agreed. Not a bad looking sporter. Maybe $450 or so to the right buyer. Perhaps $550 if you sold it locally in a FTF deal.

[fangerdog]

I'd sell it for $450 in a heartbeat

[browningautorifle]

I'd sell it for $450 in a heartbeat

Get the best you can out of it, $500/$550...perhaps a WTS posted here in forum and one of these will take it for hunting. Then you may be able to find a shooter 1903, even just assembled to resemble...and shoot it...

[mrclark303]

I have to say, it's a fine looking Springfield sporter, lovely lines.

If the bores good, you will sell her without any problems.