Help with a 1903 Springfield (making an offer)

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Doug S

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I had lunch with an old friend that I hadn't seen in 20+ years yesterday. During the course of the conversation he mentioned that he still had the 1903 Springfield that I had sold him when we were teens. He couldn’t remember what I had sold it to him for, but I’m sure at the time the sum was insignificant because the guns weren’t worth anything at the time. He is not a collector and has just kept it in storage. He said that he’d be willing to sell it back to me, and said to make him an offer that I thought was fair. I know these are going for a “pretty penny” today. I don’t want to pay collector/dealer prices. Can anyone suggest a fair price to offer that would be fair to him without my paying a premium? I have no recollection of serial number range at this point. It does have a bayonet with it. Thanks for any info.
 
Don't over-think it. $400 is probably good. My guess is that he's thinking something in the $100-$200 area.

Here's an analogy: My brother had a Ford Explorer that was giving him no end of grief after about 200,000 miles. He decided to get rid of it. He listed it on a local classified site and sold it for $1000 within an hour of so it being listed. He called me and asked me "Should I have listed it for more?"

Me: "Is the $1000 worth more to you than the vehicle?"

Him: "Yes"

Me: "You're happy, the buyer is happy. Quit overthinking. You sold it already so it's a done deal."

My guess is that he'll be more than happy with $400 and you'll probably be happy with it. Unless "storage" was a damp basement in New Orleans.

Matt
 
Thanks very much for the feedback. I was thinking along the lines of $400. He'll be coming again in a couple of months and I will make him the offer and hopefully make a deal.
 
Is it sporterized?

I've watched a couple auctions for sporterized 1903s in medium shape get no bits at $350
 
No at the time that I sold it to him it was an unadulterated Springfield. He never used it for anything and has just kept it stored away since then. He moved around the country a bit after college but kept the rifle for some reason. He mentioned it casually yesterday and it surprised me because to be honest I didn't remember who i had sold it to. So it's still original. I do not remember the serial number. I am interested to see if its an early one or not. My stepdad had given me the rifle to hunt deer when I was a kid. I of course wanted a "real" deer rifle and never appreciated the Springfield as I should have. Now I'd love to get it back. Just don't want to spend a fortune doing it.
 
I would say it really depends.....do you think he knows what they are worth....do you think in the day of the internet and how easy it is to look up 1903 springfield he is not going to know what fair market value is.

Reminds me of trying to sell a collector car to a guy I worked with some time ago.

Car is up on my lift...you can see under it, know inside and out what you are getting....told him a below market price for the car....he said he would think about it....then never called me....I called him up and asked if he still wanted the car....he gave me a song and dance about a long tale of woe and he could not buy the car.....ok with me, talk to you later......week later he calls and asks if I will take 1000 less...I ask about the tale of woe....oh it is not too bad, would you take 1000 less for the car....no I say....ok then I will take it for your asking price.....told him it was no longer for sale.

I know that is hard to read, but try to stumble with it....it might be worth while.
 
No I don't think he knows much about it. Neither of us have done any research on the subject and posting on the forums is all I've done so far. I will let him know what I find out. Although I'd really like to get the gun back - I don't think I'm prepared to may more that 4-500 right now. Nevertheless I will share what I find out with him so that he doesn't make an uneducated decision. From our discussion he simply indicated that the rifle isn't doing him any good and although he likes it-since he isn't using it - he liked the idea of me getting it back. Hopefully we can work our a mutually agreeable deal.

I'll post back after I have talked with him and if we make a deal.
 
Hi All - I've been neglecting the forums a a bit so just getting back to this thread. I do appreciate all of the feedback. I had spoken to my friend after receiving the initial feedback and I made him an offer of $400. He has agreed to sell it to me for that price. He likes it but has no use for it and says that he'd like to see it come back to me and become an addition to my man cave decor. Very generous of him. He is coming for a visit in Nov or Dec and we will do the deal then. Again thanks for all of the feedback.
 
Will do. I also still need to check the serial number to see if it's a low number.
 
$400 is a fair price for both of you. Money in his pocket, a sentimental rifle at a great deal for you.

I sure wouldn't mind if you updated this thread with pics/info/range report once you get the rifle.

I live for range reports, especially with lots of pics :D
 
Yes - I plan to update the thread with pics once I get the rifle. Probably won't be until after 11-3 at the earliest. And yes - I'm going to buy it even if it is a low serial number. To answer the question above - no it's not sporterized. I confirmed with him the other day that he has not altered the rifle since he's owned the rifle.
 
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