1903M3 Where To Find?
- Thread starter Shrek
- Start date
1903A3????? Is that what you want? I would think in absolutely excellent condition it could cost $500.00 - $700.00. Some may think I'm high. Historically the 1903 is most desireable. I have one of these but wouldn't know what it is worth.
Winchester-1897
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Newmarket,Ontario
There is one in excellent condition at Ad Hominen next to Ellwood Epps in Orillia and the guy wants about $1,500.
Ad Hominen? Pricing sounds right for him. Take average retail and double it.
Springfield 03 Mk1
I just traded for an 03 Mk1 and it had a later wart-hog stock but I had an 03 Mk1 stock on my rack and it's now complete. I am up to 10 or 12 Springfields.
There was a good looking Springfield 03 on the military surplus exchange for around $400, I don't know if it's sold.
There were a number of Springfields around but most got bubba treatment. It's a shame but that's a hunting mentality, and it was the correct thing to do when it comes to guns. You had to put yourself in a time and place when military firearms were more common than cars. No one thought the suply would ever end, and what's one sporterized rifle out of millions.
The US doesn't allow surplus US military firearms, back into the country due to a law that was enacted back in the late 60's after Kennedy was shot. They can be exported but not imported. That's why we have so many US firearms around at reasonable prices.
I just traded for an 03 Mk1 and it had a later wart-hog stock but I had an 03 Mk1 stock on my rack and it's now complete. I am up to 10 or 12 Springfields.
There was a good looking Springfield 03 on the military surplus exchange for around $400, I don't know if it's sold.
There were a number of Springfields around but most got bubba treatment. It's a shame but that's a hunting mentality, and it was the correct thing to do when it comes to guns. You had to put yourself in a time and place when military firearms were more common than cars. No one thought the suply would ever end, and what's one sporterized rifle out of millions.
The US doesn't allow surplus US military firearms, back into the country due to a law that was enacted back in the late 60's after Kennedy was shot. They can be exported but not imported. That's why we have so many US firearms around at reasonable prices.
I wouldn't say we have "so many" Springfields in Canada. When the citizen had the registry serach up, there was under 350 springfields of ANY model registered in Canada. The vast majority were M1903's with only a handful of M1903A3's, and most of those are either ex-cmp rifles that migrated north with 1960's era US immigrants and a handful of China returned guns from the 1980's.
Mine's supposedly an ex-CMP rifle, unissued since refurb.
Mine's supposedly an ex-CMP rifle, unissued since refurb.
Damn few good 03's here...I know, since I collected Springfield Armory stuff for about 20 years. I had 6 1903's of which I kept 3. The ones in the rack are;
-Rock Island Arsenal, 5 digit serial, 1918 RIA barrel, DAL stamped stock.
-Springfield Armory, 6 digit(260,###), 1918 SA barrel, double stamped stock(script and block).
-Remington, 3,2xx,###, 1943 RA barrel, FJA stamped stock...no it is not the finger groove stock ala '03A1 type...I only wish.
-Remington, 3,2xx,xx, M1922 sporter clone, original m1922 barrel band, Redfield peep sight, 1944 RA barrel...this is a fantastic shooter.
Years ago I sold my MkI and a WW2 rebuilt SA(had the scant grip stock)...kind of sorry I did though since they would still be welcome in the rack.
At last years Portland OR show I was helping a buddy from Montana with his display of an original complete m1903 periscope trench gun and his complete Pederson device, and MkI rifle and accessories. Imagine a sealed 400 round carton of 30 Pederson Frankford arsenal ammo, plus the functional Pederson device with the metal carry case and 8 original magazines. Needless to say he won best of show. It also helped that he had the 1913 patton saber with the M1911 mounted in the basket hilt...yes, it is the one shown in Canfield's book on U.S. Infantry weapons of WW1.
Cheers
Bittermansbro
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I found one a few years ago here in Calgary in wonderful condition, made July/Aug 1942. Only thing was it had a replacement stock.
I have probably only seen two in the last four years and they were both sportered
Definitely NOT very common
I have probably only seen two in the last four years and they were both sportered
Definitely NOT very common
It's a current US flag. Part of the stars are truncated in the frame. And you're right, I should use a ww2 era flag, but I don't have one and this one will do - lol.
I also need to get around to finding a Red Ensign for Canadian stuff, but a flag is still a WAY better background prop that a carpeted floor.
I wouldn't put much stock in using the registry as a basis for your suspicion that there are many more M1903's than M1903A3's in Canada - it's rife with errors. When the Springfields were registered, a M1903, regardless of version, would in many cases just be seen as an M1903 and registered as such. Personal observation of the few that change hands doesn't amount to much either. I'm not saying you're mistaken, but I can't agree with your observation either.
Look for a high serial number 1903(above 800,000 for a Springfield made rifle, 285,507 for a Rock Island) or a 1903A3. The 'A3 is preferable due to the surperior rear sight. Claven is right though. There aren't many 1903's of any flavour in decent condition in Canada. Registered or not.
$1500 for a Mk I 1903 is insane.
$1500 for a Mk I 1903 is insane.
Got One
I bought a 1903 for $150.00 in about 1988. I thought I did well, as it was in excellent shape, apparently. I found at the range it could not hit a one meter piece of cardboard at 50 yard. The barrel was completely shot out. I guess I got ripped off.
I have looked for a replacement barrel in Canada but have never found one. Does anyone have an idea as to how to get one here?
Big
I bought a 1903 for $150.00 in about 1988. I thought I did well, as it was in excellent shape, apparently. I found at the range it could not hit a one meter piece of cardboard at 50 yard. The barrel was completely shot out. I guess I got ripped off.
I have looked for a replacement barrel in Canada but have never found one. Does anyone have an idea as to how to get one here?
Big
Fair enough Andy, but I always pay attention when they come up for sale. In the last 5 years I have seen 5 M1903's change hands. I only saw ONE M1903A3 and I bought it
And to be fair to you, you never stated unequivocally that there were more M1903's than M1903A4's, just that you suspected there were. I have to remain anal if I am going to maintain my "Myth-Buster" crown.
in fact, I suspect you are correct.I have been to several gun shows in the US, and all models of Springfields are always there in good numbers. They go for $US 600-800. Given that, and since they are much more scarce in Canada, I would think that they are $800+ guns here.
What say we start a run on them and drive the price up like has happened with Garands.
