inherited 2 rifles

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I lost the connection from my SLR to my computer so i'll write down what I've found and redo the photos tomorrow, right now:
*behind the front sight - U.S.M.C. 11-4 with an S inside a circle
* the bolt is stamped N.S.
*there are two screws in the stock
 
flexible said:
I lost the connection from my SLR to my computer so i'll write down what I've found and redo the photos tomorrow, right now:
*behind the front sight - U.S.M.C. 11-4 with an S inside a circle
* the bolt is stamped N.S.
*there are two screws in the stock
Click to expand...
Ahhhhh....I was wondering if that was a Sedgley Barrel! Probably fitted during in the Augusta rebuild. Also, the Nickel Steel bolt would not be original to the receiver.
Some folks really like the Sedgley barrels for shooting, but this isn't necessarily a good thing for valuation. The Marine Corps did order replacement barrels in 1944.....but not all were installed in guns destined for USMC service. Unless you can establish provenance as a Marine-issued gun, I would gauge this as a nice, mixed-parts gun in the $800 range.
 
finally got the photos out of my camera; had some focus issues, let me know if I should resend some.
THR site won't let me download the images, too large; i'll have to redo
thanks
flexible
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Different markets, Tark, I guess.:)
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Wow, I guess they are VERY different. Even a parts gun will go for 7-800 around here, if it is in military configuration and a high numbered gun. It is nearly impossible to find an original un-altered gun but when they are found, I see them go up into four figures at auction. If they are high pristine they go north of $2000, how far north depends on condition.
 
Segley barrel would explain the square contour at the muzzle.

Sight looks like one where "the kids" played Combat! with it and lost the fiddly bits, but "it's just gampa's ol gun anyway."

Sight parts are available, they can be a pain, though, and pricey (especially if you need to buy a couple sets to get the right items).

When you go shopping for a leather sling, go get a front sight cover (it's blued and just snaps on). If you are really keen, there's a trainer's sight, which slips over the rear sight and uses a half-silvered mirror so your shooting coach (at 90º off to your right) can see your sight picture. You probably ought to get one of the plated steel cleaning kit/oilers for the butt. Last cool thing to have is a sight adjusting tool. This fits over/around the moving sight leaf and is dialed in with a fine pitched screw having a nice fat knob.
 
tark said:
Wow, I guess they are VERY different. Even a parts gun will go for 7-800 around here, if it is in military configuration and a high numbered gun. It is nearly impossible to find an original un-altered gun but when they are found, I see them go up into four figures at auction. If they are high pristine they go north of $2000, how far north depends on condition.
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Oh, for sure.....for an unaltered, unarsenaled, gun- or even if the gun has all period correct parts for the receiver date (because, lacking serialized parts, you can never be 100% certain a particular part left the factory with a particular gun). But, as the OP's gun is most certainly a rebuild with parts from various eras , it would only see north of $1000 if it he is able to reasonably establish USMC service -though the Sedgley barrel is a good start.
From my research, Augusta never did any work for the Marines, and some surplus Sedgley barrels were fitted to Army rifles when the need arose. It also doesn't appear to be a Marine front sight and looks like no Hatcher hole or electro- penciled bolt. But not all Marine guns ever received all their "upgrades."
Right now, it appears to be a nice rebuild, but not really collector grade. We will see what the next few pics reveal....:)

If I get time I will post some pics of my $2k Springfield, and a few more pedestrian ones....:thumbup:
 
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Hmmmm...definitely no Hatcher hole. Could use a shot of the buttplate and the side of the front sight blade, but right now, not a lot of UMSC features. Also, definitely missing the elevator setscrew. No worries, replacements are cheap enough.
So far, still a very nice arsenal rebuilt parts gun and a great, shootable peice of US martial history ya got there. As it was an heirloom, IMHO, you should rub the stock with some BLO, keep the metal bits oiled, keep it away from moisture and preserve it for your family. Wonderful Springfield, just not auction material.
 
Springfield Armory M1903 #985162
SUMMARY
· Initial manufacturing date: 1918, Springfield Armory
· Rebuilt in the Augusta Arsenal in the 1920’s?
o Fitted with Sedgley barrel
· Rear sight: missing elevation set screw & screw housing bent. Contact Sarco or Dupage for parts
· Estimated value - $800 to $1,000?
What do you all think, is this pretty much it? Shall I send more pics?
Looks like it's worth doing some restoration work and keeping?
Thanks to all of you for your help, I'll send more pics if anyone would like them
flexible
 
:thumbup:

M48 Mauser's are nice guns too if you're into military surplus.....but the ammo is getting pricey and a bit tough to get for much shooting. Prvi Partizan and S&B make good new 8mm- avoid the green box Romanian and surplus Turkish stuff (if you want to try shooting it.)

Your Springfield can handle modern ammo OK as it has the improved heat treated receiver and nickel steel bolt, but keep in mind it is 100 years old! Surplus M2 ammo is perfect for it, as is the American Eagle ammo loaded for the M1 Garand. True M2 is getting hard to come by, and it is mildly corrosive, though. I like to run S&B and Federal 150gr in my Springfield's, they are loaded a bit on the light side. Garandgear.com has a nifty chart showing the peak pressures of various brands of .30-06- it's neat, check it out.

WorldWarSupply.com and Sarco would be good places to look for a correct M1907 leather sling for it. USMC guns were almost always fitted with front sight hoods (you can see a light scratch on your front sight base where it had one at one point.) These are cheap and I like them on my shooter Springfield's as they greatly improve the sight picture, but they detract from the looks of the gun, IMO. They pop on pretty easy, but can be a bear to remove, lol.
 
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Are you going to post any pics of the Mauser? I find those interesting. Even the butcher jobs done by Mitchells Mausers. Actually some of them look pretty good.
 
First off take that damn belt off, pm me your address and I'll send you a proper sling. You don't use something you use to hold your drawers up to hold your rifle up, unless you would rather go bare arsed and still be able to get a good shooting position.

I think $800 is generous for a going price but I got to ask you, inherited from whom?
 
The Earl o Sammich said:
First off take that damn belt off, pm me your address and I'll send you a proper sling. You don't use something you use to hold your drawers up to hold your rifle up, unless you would rather go bare arsed and still be able to get a good shooting position.

I think $800 is generous for a going price but I got to ask you, inherited from whom?
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Well.....if you're giving em away, Earl, I'll take about 3 more 1907s....just kidding.;)

Seriously, though, this is why I like THR. I'm amongst other people who would rather donate a proper sling to a complete stranger than see his veteran Springer go without......:):):)
 
I've taken the belt off and am working on ordering the: sling, rear sight parts, etc. but thanks for your offer! I inherited it from the last Uncle on my dad's side, he's still alive and sharp but giving stuff away, he's 88. I have called him for more info but he's on vacation with his kids. Mauser pics will go out soon.
flexible
 
Thats a great looking Mauser. Some complain because they have been altered and have restamped or mixed parts and passed off as original but it doesn't bother me. I let one just like that get away on GB for $300 because I forgot about it. I shoot a custom 8mm rifle and reload for the round so ammo is no problem for me. I bet you are going to really enjoy that rifle. Thanks for the picture.
 
I've ordered the parts for the M1903 and will send out pics of the rifle after I make the repairs, thanks to all for your help.
flexible
 
LoonWulf said:
I'm with those guys^

I've done a number of sporterized rifles, it's not worth it unless u want the project, or really want the end product.
Sell both and buy another rifle if you want, or parts for what you have.

If you DO want the project, or just really want an old school hole puncher, i would also advise against cutting on any complete milsurp. There's plenty out there that have been hacked on for way less than even a 3-400 dollar milsurp will go for.
Click to expand...

The assumption here is you are looking for better accuracy than the average milsurp can provide. I would carefully consider either selling
or storing them, but know this: There's dog poo in my yard that's worth more than a bubba'd military rifle, which excel at minute of man, or deer,
accuracy, but for extreme accuracy, IME, generally come up wanting.
 
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