2020 Milsurp Finds - Post Yours!

[ArtyMan]

Hey,

So in light of how bad 2020 was in a lot of respects, a few good things stand out. For one, I was able to pick up two USGI rifles I’ve been after for a while with the help of two great CGNers



1944 Winchester M1 Garand
1917 Springfield M1903





Anyone else have any great luck this year with finds?

 

[purple]

That M1903 dates from 1904 by the s/n. It looks like a WW2 rebuild with the swept back bolt handle and replacement stock and handguard. What's the barrel date?

I recently got a couple of distinctive very early rod bayonet pattern M1903 parts; a trigger guard and a stacking swivel.

 

[ArtyMan]

That M1903 dates from 1904 by the s/n. It looks like a WW2 rebuild with the swept back bolt handle and replacement stock and handguard. What's the barrel date?

I recently got a couple of distinctive very early rod bayonet pattern M1903 parts; a trigger guard and a stacking swivel.

The serial number is 645579, which from what I can see dates to 1917. The barrel is an SA 3-17 barrel and shoots great. I’m aware of the concerns of “low number” receivers but after much study and examination I did decide to shoot the rifle and am happy I did. You are correct the stock and bolt are later - stock is a Remington “FJA” stock from (likely) 1941/1942 from my understanding. Bolt is likely pre-WW2 but post 1917 from what I’m told. The rifle is a US Government rebuild / rework according to the gents on Gunboards.





The Rifle has certainly seen some use and very much has a “been there, done that” feel to it. Blueing is worn but not as “silver” as it looks in the lighting in these pics.

I wanted something representative of what the USMC would have been issued in the early part of the Pacific campaign during WWII, and as this as an early WW2 rebuild it fits that perfectly (or as close as I can afford since a USMC-provenance rifle is both rare and crazy expensive!)

 

[OkayShooter]

Went up before Nov 11th to visit my father. Came back with this No4 MKII 1954 Irish Contract.

 

[polkey]

Its been a good year for milsurps

-Nice Canadian marked (1967) Cooey 82
-Chinese Type 53 with a mint bore
-Excellent condition K11 with matching bayonet (thanks to Calgary shooting Center)
-Finnish re-worked m91 (P-26 marked barrel)
-Nice shape Finnish M28
-RC K98, so-so shape but no peened markings
-AG42B
-Hakim
-MAS44, matching except the bayonet
-MAS49, fairly mismatched, but surprisingly the bayonet matches

 

[OkayShooter]

Well I did also get my Mauser back from being re barreled. Replaced the sewer pipe 762 Nato barrel, for a NOS 762 barrel.

 

[ArtyMan]

Very nice! That No4 and the MAS rifles are sure winners!

 

[slug]

December of 1947 was the last month of production of the Lee Enfield No 5 rifle - the paratroop rifle.
Since it was the first month of my production, I always wanted one from that month. I've never seen one, so I had a chance to get an August. 47 one in very nice shape so I jumped on it.
It had the same owner since it was initially purchased as surplus, and it may have never been fired. It only cost me 30 X what they were selling for back in the sixties, when I first lusted over one.

 

[Old Ranger]

That is a beauty!

 

[ArmedGinger]

Traded my Type 81 LMG for this International Harvester M1 Garand. It's currently wearing an Italian stock so I might just go buy and refinish a boyds stock for it since the Italian one has a chunk missing anyways.

 

[ArtyMan]

I'd say you got the top end of that trade!

 

[Nestor]

Some nice finds for sure. Congratulations!
It wasn’t a totally wasted year here, but here is the only thing worth mentioning I guess

1953 BSA FTR No1 Mk3 on the Ishapore 1934 receiver

 

[hale1940]

I got quite a few pieces this year but here is won I’m quite happy with. Arisaka Type 99, Nagoya ‘no series.’ Very early production. Intact mum. All matching except dust cover.

View attachment 445493

 

[Nabs]

I'll take a bite and share my latest addition:

1904 Vergueiro that served in Portuguese Mozambique, one of 2000 rifles estimated to have been marked at the depot in Lourenco Marques in 1916 and to serve against Von Lettow Vorbeck's forces during WW1. In 6.5x58 Portuguese and she shoots quite nicely.

 

[ArtyMan]

I got quite a few pieces this year but here is won I’m quite happy with. Arisaka Type 99, Nagoya ‘no series.’ Very early production. Intact mum. All matching except dust cover.

View attachment 445493

Wow! A rare bird up here in Canada. On my milsurp list for sure! You going to shoot it?!?

 

[hale1940]

Thanks! They are honestly really cool rifles and the early ones are very well built. I wouldn’t mind finding a nice Type 38 to add to it as well.

And yep I do! Just ordered some bullets and brass actually

 

[ArtyMan]

Outstanding! Let us know how it shoots! That’s a real treasure! I think you’ve won this thread so far

 

[ArtyMan]

I'll take a bite and share my latest addition:

1904 Vergueiro that served in Portuguese Mozambique, one of 2000 rifles estimated to have been marked at the depot in Lourenco Marques in 1916 and to serve against Von Lettow Vorbeck's forces during WW1. In 6.5x58 Portuguese and she shoots quite nicely.

Gorgeous rifle Nabs!!

 

[Eaglelord17]

I'll take a bite and share my latest addition:

1904 Vergueiro that served in Portuguese Mozambique, one of 2000 rifles estimated to have been marked at the depot in Lourenco Marques in 1916 and to serve against Von Lettow Vorbeck's forces during WW1. In 6.5x58 Portuguese and she shoots quite nicely.

So does yours have a serial number on the right side of the receiver? Mine doesn’t and was just curious if yours does or doesn’t.

 

[Nabs]

Gorgeous rifle Nabs!!

Thanks, I am very privileged to be taking care of this one, I never thought that would happen in my lifetime given how rare these rifles are.

So does yours have a serial number on the right side of the receiver? Mine doesn’t and was just curious if yours does or doesn’t.

She does not have a serial number on the right side of the receiver. I have seen a few others like this but most have the serial number. I have yet to find an explanation why some rifles have it and others do not. Of the other rifles I have seen with no serial number, a few are Union of Africa marked and are in South African collections. I should probably learn Portuguese and see if I can get access to their military archives as that may shed some light on these rifles in Portuguese possession.