I have a chance to buy a 1903 springfield made by Rock Island Arsenal date on RCVR 1942. Serial#matches the barrel and is in the 28k range. The condition is 90-95% with the stock and bore like new. The sight area has a cannonball and USMC on it as well does the the green canvas bag. This is a friends firearm given to him by his dad who served in the USMC during WWII. The condition makes me think it was rearsenaled but I just don't know much about these firearms and their history.I need to know a price range and any other things to look for that might give the history/value. Thanks, RB
Price for 1903 springfield?????
- Thread starter Roboshred
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Jim Watson
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Rock Island Arsenal '03 SN 28,000 was made in 1906, according to Brophy's book. Certainly a WW II refurb. Definitely a Low Number gun.
I don't know about a date on the receiver, but the Marines do things differently. Does it have the Marine sights - undercut front blade, rear drift slide with only one good sized aperture, not a teeny little peep and some confusing open notches?
Sounds like a nice piece, but I haven't a clue as to dollar value.
I don't know about a date on the receiver, but the Marines do things differently. Does it have the Marine sights - undercut front blade, rear drift slide with only one good sized aperture, not a teeny little peep and some confusing open notches?
Sounds like a nice piece, but I haven't a clue as to dollar value.
I don't know what you mean by "date on receiver 1942" and "serial numbers match". Model 1903 receivers were not dated and barrels were not serial numbered. If the barrel date is 1942, the rifle obviously has been rebuilt as RIA never made rifles after the WWI era. In addition, if the serial number is 28xxx, it is a so-called "low number" with a receiver that was made with a heat treatment process that could have resulted in excessively brittle steel. No one can tell which receivers were harmed, and most experts recommend that those rifles not be fired, though others disagree. I prefer not to take a chance and will not fire one. The heat treatment was changed at RIA serial number 285507 and Springfield Armory 800000, and rifles above those numbers are considered safe.
Marine Corps rifles were not normally marked, even though the Marines did install wider front sight blades. Bolts marked USMC were replacement bolts made by the United Shoe Machinery Corporation.
Value of rebuilt low-number 1903's in otherwise good condition is running about $400-500. That one would be worth much more if it was in original condition.
HTH
Jim
Marine Corps rifles were not normally marked, even though the Marines did install wider front sight blades. Bolts marked USMC were replacement bolts made by the United Shoe Machinery Corporation.
Value of rebuilt low-number 1903's in otherwise good condition is running about $400-500. That one would be worth much more if it was in original condition.
HTH
Jim
redneck2
Member
There's a website...
dedicated to 1903's. http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/03/03config.pl. Titled CSP U,S. Rifle Cal.30
Hope this link works. I'm no 'pooter guru. dunno if this is exactly right, but I had it stuck in my "favorites". This site has more info than you could ever imagine on '03's. I had a chance to buy one and got the "scoop" there
HTH
dedicated to 1903's. http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/03/03config.pl. Titled CSP U,S. Rifle Cal.30
Hope this link works. I'm no 'pooter guru. dunno if this is exactly right, but I had it stuck in my "favorites". This site has more info than you could ever imagine on '03's. I had a chance to buy one and got the "scoop" there
HTH
cratz2
Member
The only way it would be worth $850 to most collecters would be if it had its original finish and barrel. Otherwise, he's expecting too much. Of course, I've watched folks pay $1100 for 1940s Garands with Korean barrels and mismatched stocks so I guess if he can find someone willing to pay $850...
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