find of the day Sporterized 1903

B

bailey bud

New member
Wondering what I can learn about these guns.

A sporterized 1903 (Springfield Armory) .30-06. Gun has an older Redfield (fixed magnification) scope. Absolutely beautiful wood. The original iron sights are still on the barrel. The barrel is pristine.

On consignment for $500 (inclues Redfield scope, sling, and gun case).
 
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The dealer says "sporterized" has a different stock on it.

(wood does not go as far down the barrel).

I'd say the finish is about 80 percent on the barrel. The stock is pristine.
 
Well if it has a scope in it its totaly wecked as any value out of use as a hunting rifle. I would go around 200 on one like that if the scope was working.
 
Look to see if it a single heat treat receiver. For Springfields those are under 800,000 serial number range.

These early single heat treat receivers are undesirable and in fact, were being scrapped by the Army when the rifle came back into rebuild. They were just too weak as a population and a number frag'd under overload conditions.

The later receivers were built with improved processes and process control and are safer.

The strongest 03 receivers are likely the WWII Remington 03's as these were built from 8620 steel and are a later production, making the assumption that later means improved.
 
Very common to sporterize 03's back in the 50's/60's when you could buy them cheap.

Have dealer check headspace and guage muzzle. Also look at the serial number vis a vis early heat treat issues. If they're good, and you want a .30-06, it's worth the money (to me) as a hunter or target rifle due to it's history serving the US.

-OR- Buy a good milsurp stock and call it a "sniper" like Gibbs is doing, tho w/ original sights still on it, that'd be a stretch.

Put some good glass on it, (do you reload?) and you will have a very nice long range rifle suitable for most anything in North America.
 
Original military iron sights left in place are a sign of hasty or inexpert sporterizing.
On the other hand, it makes it easier to remil if you want to buy a C stock and hardware.
 
The old Redfield scopes were plenty good, but I'm unacquainted with the term "fixed zoom". Fixed-power magnification scopes were pretty good by the 1950s, but the early variables--regardless of brand--often had problems.

Is the stock cut-down military, or is it an after-market stock? The Bishop stocks were very popular in the late 1940s and on into the 1960s. There was a lot more high-grade walnut available, back then, at far more reasonable prices than what you see nowadays.

Value? I dunno. Unless the stock is exceptional and test-firing from the bench shows tight groups, I'd call it around a $300 to $350 deal at most.
 
Art - thanks - yes - fixed magnification (I'm still new to centerfire talk - I've had mostly shotguns and iron sight rim fire for the last 20 years)

It's an old Redfield scope - fixed magnification (not sure - but think it's 4x)

Things I noticed:
- Safety doesn't clear the scope - but it does lock the bolt when it's about 3/4 of the way up.

- Does not look like cut-down military stock. Looks like after-market - but the walnut grain is fantastic.

- Will check the Ser #.

- Trivia - Dealer says the scope was made in Durango - which is also where I found this rifle. Apparently, Redfield was making scopes here for awhile.
 
Baily bud, telling us about your new rifle is like telling us how cute your girlfriend is. Without pictures were are left wondering on both count.
 
Springfields are a good buy !

I picked up a Sporterized 03-A3 for $150.00 about 6 week ago .It's a beautiful Rifle made in 1943 . It's in a Bishop stock with Diamond inlays and a Checkered Grip . The barrel has been shortened to 22" and turned down just a tad , and a Nice Bluing Job done . The rifle also has a Beuler low swing Safety and a Sweet trigger . Williams sights Front and rear and Weaver pivot mounts . which now hold a Leupold M7 4X . All she needed was a Bedding job since the stock wasn't a perfect fit , which I did like the second day I had it . I didn't get beat too bad did I ? ;)
 
I would check that heat treat thing.Folks can argue the fine technical points,comparing with a mauser,etc,but there is just something about the lines and aesthetics of a 1903 or A-3,along with the history,trips my trigger.
Others are entitled to their opinion,but so long as the receiver is of a sound heat treat series,and nothing horrible has happened to it(like drilled and tapped for side mounts with a hand drill,a couple extra holes,none in line,size 1/4-20) any Springfield receiver is a prize.(please PM me if you have a good one you want to get rid of cheap)
Some folks get their boxers all wedged up if they see anything but original condition,I don't care.
Back in the day,Redfield was considered a premium scope,and Weaver the standard.A fixed 4 x was as standard as a 3 to 9 x is today.It was the standard hunting scope.
If the stock is premium wood,if the grain is laid out well,and if you have enough wood to shape to something elegant(old home sporters are often clubby,with extra wood) the stock may be a real bonus.
Try buying a nice,hard,fine grained,slow growth piece of American walnut,with a proper grain layout and some figure.If you can find it,have a few $100 Dollar bills with you.Now you have a board and some work to do.
If you want to make a sleeper out of it,Criterion/Kreiger sells replacement original contour 1903 barrels.
Is it a steal? Probably not,but if nothing is messed up,you may be able to have an exceptional rifle out of it .
BTW,your safety may be a Buheler or similar lo-swing,designed to only swing part way,to clear a scope.
 
Pic isnt very good but it's a Smith Corona in an old school Fajen target stock. It has a Mike Stone SS semi heavy target barrel with an 8 groove flute. It has a Jewel trigger set at one ounce. Actual value might not be but around 300 or so but it cost closer to 2 grand to have built.


IMG_1069.jpg
 
Pic isnt very good but it's a Smith Corona in an old school Fajen target stock. It has a Mike Stone SS semi heavy target barrel with an 8 groove flute.
Click to expand...
Beautiful rifle! I love the bolt handle. The extra leverage probably makes cycling the action a charm.

Actual value might not be but around 300 or so but it cost closer to 2 grand to have built.
Click to expand...

Is that not the truth!. It would be worth at least $500 in full military condition.
 
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This one has since lost some weight.... The stock is an old over sized Bishop.

I shaved off almost a half pound of wood, added a Rosewood grip cap and fore end cap, steel bedded the barrel channel and lug then floated the barrel, and am almost done with a hand rubbed oil finsh now. I also recontoured the bolt handle. Every step was done by hand, no power tools on this one.:)
 
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