SpFd 1911 trade in for 1903A3

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BigBlue 94

BigBlue 94

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I have a springfield 1911-A1 Ducks Unlimited pistol, with maybe two mags fired through it. The LGS has an '03A3 for a price similar to the 1911. I dont really care for new 1911s, and really like military rifles. So im considering offering them a trade. I have not handled the 03A3, but did glance at it. Its still in full military guise, next to an SMLE.

Am i crazy? I have another para 1911 in 45 and a Colt in 38 super.

Anything to look for on the 03A3 that would be a deal breaker?
 
I'd certainly make that trade for a unmolested 03A3 with a good barrel. If he wants more, just throw in a little ammo for the 45. With ammo prices the way they are today, that may go quite a ways in a trade.
 
Good to know im not crazy. I have a pistol on order from them so maybe that might help my deal. The DU 1911s have recorded sales of $800 on gunbroker and such. They have the 03A3 tagged at $750.

The 1911 has i believe zero DU markings other than the duck head on the wood grips. I think spare stock grips were included.

I have the box, two mags, included holster and mag holster as well.
 
I can confirm that the only DU things about this gun are the wood grips and the box. And there are spare SA black plastic grip panels in the box. Otherwise, its a standard stainless milspec 1911.
 
BigBlue 94 said:
The DU 1911s have recorded sales of $800 on gunbroker and such. They have the 03A3 tagged at $750.
Click to expand...
That's retail prices.
The LGS wants to get those, not trade for them, as a general rule of thumb.
Two people, face to face, they can trade 'even' for things at retail-to-retail.
The LGS has overhead, continuing costs to just keep the doors open.

So, I'd not be surprised if the LGS basically says the 1911 is worth $400 to them, and you need to cough up the rest. Now, you have an order in with them--that's a leg up. Would be better if they are profiting on that, rather than being a transfer or the like. The LGS probably is not going to take ammo in trade (probably). Mostly as that's a mix of they have to trust that your box(es) are, in fact, factory ammo, and because they may have namebrand requirements with the ammo they already stock, and the need to shelve your stuff.

So, if they say the 1911 and $350, you could try offering the 1911 and $100 or $150--then, it's down to what the shop actually has in the 03A3, and how quickly they think they can move the 1911. I'd probably not go more than the $150. And, even at that price, the 03A3 is a good buy.
 
CapnMac said:
That's retail prices.
The LGS wants to get those, not trade for them, as a general rule of thumb.
Two people, face to face, they can trade 'even' for things at retail-to-retail.
The LGS has overhead, continuing costs to just keep the doors open.

So, I'd not be surprised if the LGS basically says the 1911 is worth $400 to them, and you need to cough up the rest. Now, you have an order in with them--that's a leg up. Would be better if they are profiting on that, rather than being a transfer or the like. The LGS probably is not going to take ammo in trade (probably). Mostly as that's a mix of they have to trust that your box(es) are, in fact, factory ammo, and because they may have namebrand requirements with the ammo they already stock, and the need to shelve your stuff.

So, if they say the 1911 and $350, you could try offering the 1911 and $100 or $150--then, it's down to what the shop actually has in the 03A3, and how quickly they think they can move the 1911. I'd probably not go more than the $150. And, even at that price, the 03A3 is a good buy.
Click to expand...

The gun i have on order is new, ordered from their supplier, in person, not a third party. Cold hard cash as well. Its just a Cimmaron at about 600 after tax.

I would personally think a 1911 would move faster to the common man, than a 100 year old bolt action rifle. And that they likely have about 400 or so in the 03A3. But I am also the third generation in a family business so I know all about overhead. I would not be opposed to adding $150 to the 1911 but that would be it probably.

Let me also clarify that this is a pawn and gun shop, not a specific firearms only shop.

Whats the worst that can happen, they say no and I walk out the door with a 1911.
 
BigBlue 94 said:
I would personally think a 1911 would move faster to the common man, than a 100 year old bolt action rifle.
Click to expand...
The 03A3 has gotten a bit scarce and also become more a lot more desirable.
The DU grips might sell an SAI 1911 a touch faster, but "might" is the operative word.
Sugest they list it on GB, so they'd be more likely to interest a DU collector.

BigBlue 94 said:
And that they likely have about 400 or so in the 03A3.
Click to expand...
If they did, then they stole it. My minty '43 SC was $400 retail back in the early 90s. I've seen listings for parts-store builds at $800.

BigBlue 94 said:
I would not be opposed to adding $150 to the 1911 but that would be it probably. ... Whats the worst that can happen, they say no and I walk out the door with a 1911.
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Agree with you on that. If more people thought like we do, the world would be a better place.
 
So i went and looked at it. Its a Remington and in pretty decent shape. 3mill serial number i think. Only flaw i could find was a crack on the right side of the stock, forward of the wrist. Has the receiver mounted peep sight. Stock isnt dry like i thought either. Action cycled very smoothly.

And they seemed interested in the 1911... But the rifle is on consignment! Son of a! They say the only thing the guy would likely want in trade would be something with Colt on it. And im not gonna give up a Colt! But i did really like handling it. Im sure it'll still be there in a week or so. My christmas bonus should about cover it. The no4 smle is his too.
 
Went back over today with a wad of cash, with the intentions of bringing home the 03A3 and the No1 Mk3 SMLE from the same consignee. The SMLE was gone. But the 03A3 was still there looking lonesome. It is now mine.

It is a Remington serialized to March of '43. The stock needs some repair, but its still in full military guise. Lots of little stamps on the stock, RA, FJA two circled Ps, an O.G, and some smaller ones. So at some point this gun was worked on at the Ogden Arsenal, and rebarrelled. The bore looks nearly unfired. 4 crisp grooves and bright shiney metal.

A quick teaser pic
20201216_152310.jpg
 
index.php


Like these?
 
P5 Guy said:
index.php


Like these?
Click to expand...

Yep, but no cannons, flaming bomb, or a single marking on the barrel. There is a faint circle just above RA that could be the cannons.

20201216_185450.jpg

The Ogden Arsenal mark has me slightly perplexed though. It has an open ended rectangle around the O.G, with no second period. During WWII, O.G.E.K. in a rectangle was an Elmer Keith stamp. But it almost looks as if the .E.K. and surrounding rectangle were ground off the stamp.

20201216_185420.jpg

20201216_185255.jpg

The poor thing needs a good cleaning. The stock is well coated with grime varnish. The barrel, as i mentioned is sans all markings unless they are hiding under the sight band. Its also blued. The cracks in the stock under the ejection "port" cut out will need attention, but seem to be pretty stable.
 
BigBlue 94 said:
The barrel, as i mentioned is sans all markings unless they are hiding under the sight band.
Click to expand...
Markings are invariably, just after of the front sight base, and ahead of the front band. Which is on purpose.
Looking through my references, I see no documentation on unmarked barrels. Does not mean they don't exist, though.
Four groove barrels typically are earlier than 03A3 production, as a general rule.

Now, the way all the parts seem to be blue on the parked receiver suggest somebody rebuilt this. Just who is probably lost to time.

Stock stamps were wear items, and they were used until illegible. Stamp several million stocks and steel will wear down.
 
Originally only the receiver/barrel were parkerized and all the other metal parts were blued.
Between the front band and the sight there should be month-year a punch mark and flaming bomb, notifying the time the rifle was barreled and proofed.
 
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