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Collector Value of 1903 Springfield Rifles
mljackso
Member Posts: 297 ✭✭
I have several books which give values of firearms. They are inconsistent in regard to 1903 Springfields. Putting Rock Island aside for this discussion, there are about 800,000 early Springfield 1903s that have "case hardened" receivers. Then came about 500,000 rifles with "double heat treated" receivers. Then later still came 1903 Model rifles with "nickel steel" receivers. (Then came another round or two of rifles manufactured circa WWII by Remington, Smith Corona, etc., but that's another story.) My first question: of the case hardened, double heat treated, and nickel steel rifles manufactured at Springfiled, Massachusetts, how do collector values compare? My second question: do shooters value these different versions of the 1903 differently than collectors? Why? Background: I have a nice original 1903 with serial number about 115,000 and I really wonder what it is worth. See below for one valuation I have found.
Comments
Few 1903's are found in original condition. With this rifle, the earlier the variation, the more likely it has been rebuilt or repaired. So, the earlier the rifle (assuming original condition), & the better the condition, the more value it will have with collectors. The most sought after variation is a rod bayonet rifle chambered in .30-03 Government.
YOURS is not original; it has had the barrel replaced. I would also suspect that the stock, handguards, & many metal parts have been replaced, too. It may even have been refinished.
A shooter looks at the condition of the rifle, especially the bore, since he will be looking for an accurate gun. A "shooter" 1903 will probably sell in the $200-300 range.
Unfortunately, a low number rifle that is not a "collector" can't be a "shooter", as it is considered unsafe to shoot. It may have usable parts on it, but value is likely in the $100-200 range.
Neal
EDIT: Mike, you make a good point. And, even a low number rifle that is all USGI & unmutilated might bring as much as $400-500 to someone who just wants a representative piece. There will always be folks who don't know that a low number rifle isn't safe to shoot & overpay. However, we didn't get a detailed description, or photos, of the rifle in question, so I assumed the worst.
EDIT: Photos are a big help. Mike, your rifle originally had a blue finish on all metal parts; the parkerized finish was applied during arsenal rebuild. The stock originally had an ordnance acceptance mark (cartouche) & other markings, so lack of any stock markings indicates that it is a replacement. It looks in good shape; if the bore is good, I would expect it to sell in the $300-400 range.
Seriously though, generally there is little difference between the double heat treated and nickel treated receivers in terms of value. There may be a little but not much, a safe shooter is a safe shooter.
Low numbered unsafe ones are worth less, yes, but are not worthless if you catch my drift. I think CMP was asking $300 for them. All the other parts are useable and a lot of guys, smart or not, say 'bah, I'm gonna shoot it anyhow' and do, with no problems. I know I wouldn't, but to each his own.
Thanks for this heads up. I will go there to research this topic.
The list you gave in your original post is for collector grade '03's, and is no longer valid. A collector won't touch the firearm in the photos..and those are the people that would be paying the prices in your list.
If you wish, check finished '03 auctions here on Gunbroker for a more realistic return on your investment, should you wish to sell. Best, and Good Luck! Joe