[marionkid]

A fellow worker recently gave me a 1903 to clean and shoot. He came by yest. and said his dad would take a $1000 for it,let me describe.Ser.# 919XXX, orig. stock with straight grip,never sanded,no cartouches,SA barrel w/8-38 date,"27" grad.rear sight w/ "R"s all over it,"R" marked bolt,trap buttplate.This rifle has never been messed with by owner and has been in his poss. since the 60's.I am considering buying this rifle if it's worth it,what cha think. TIA The Kid

 

[SfcRet]

Oh I'm sure he will take 1K for it, even though it's not worth 1K. You can pick up a nice 03 for a lot less then that if you look around. offer him 500 for it, if he doesn't take it move on. But don't get stuck overpaying for a 03.

 

[Tom-M]

Nothing special. $500 rifle if it has a real good barrel.

 

[marionkid]

1903

Barrel looks really good but haven't fired for grouping. Some friends and I recently went to gun show and "03"s were marked $600-$800 and not in as good a shape.Maybe they were more desireable or overpriced? Thanks for your help,prob.saved me some dough.

 

[royke]

Barrel looks really good but haven't fired for grouping. Some friends and I recently went to gun show and "03"s were marked $600-$800 and not in as good a shape.Maybe they were more desireable or overpriced? Thanks for your help,prob.saved me some dough.

Although I am not as well informed on the US rifles as many, I do know that the more original
your rifle is, the more collectable it is. Of course rarity of any model or variation is a major factor, but a rifle reconditioned/rebuilt to like new, with parts not originally installed at the arsenal/factory will not be as collectable as the same model
having all correct original parts but showing some use and wear.....

 

[El Bibliotecario]

Tell him you'll take it--but that your fee for cleaning it is $500.

 

[Rick the Librarian2]

To get down to "specifics":

1) The receiver dates to 1918 - the barrel is a replacement

2) Any R-marked part is a WWII replacement, made by Remington

3) Does the "straight" grip stock have grasping grooves under the area of the rear sight? If not, that is a replacement, too.

I'd say maybe $550-600, but certainly not $1000.

 

[marionkid]

1903

Thanks to all for your input. Stock is straight with no grasping grooves. I'll throw the $600 at him with the facts and see what happens,it is a very nice rifle.Hey,if I charged him $500 for the cleaning I ought to get it for $100.Thanks again,The Kid.

 

[MP517PRCT]

If he needs more convincing on the value of his rifle, show him this link...

http://www.thecmp.org/m1903.htm

The CMP is almost sold out of everything, but these M1903s are in the same or better condition as the one you described.