LightningLink
New member
Found something at the gun shop that I want to run by some folks.
It is a Smith-Corona 03A3 rifle in the most beautiful condition I've ever seen on an 03.
Rifle: S/N 47133xx. Has light-gray parkerizing that is almost perfect. A couple pieces on the bolt appear to have more of a dull park/blued finish. I think it's the safety switch and the bolt release switch. There is an R stamp on a couple of the bolt pieces (including the bolt handle).
Barrel: Marked SC 6-43 with the flaming bomb. The rifling looks sharp and the bore is very shiny. There is some copper fouling noticeable from the muzzle end. Has a light-gray parkerizing in excellent shape.
Stock: Markings are rather faint except for a double circle-P on the grip (either proofed twice, or they accidently hit it twice). There are markings on the left side, but I couldn't make them out in the shop. Stock is in excellent condition with normally handling marks. No dings, scratches or gouges of note.
The gun shop says an old man brought it in that had bought it many many years ago (like 50 or something). He said that he bought a life-time membership in the NRA, and as a "gift" was able to buy this at a discount, or something like that. He said it was "un-issued" when he bought it, but it may very well be an arsenal rebuild.
The tag price was $649, but they would let me have it for $499 since they recognized me as a somewhat regular. I have the rifle on hold, just in case it turns out to be a gem. So is this a good price?
Thanks in advance for any help.
LL
It is a Smith-Corona 03A3 rifle in the most beautiful condition I've ever seen on an 03.
Rifle: S/N 47133xx. Has light-gray parkerizing that is almost perfect. A couple pieces on the bolt appear to have more of a dull park/blued finish. I think it's the safety switch and the bolt release switch. There is an R stamp on a couple of the bolt pieces (including the bolt handle).
Barrel: Marked SC 6-43 with the flaming bomb. The rifling looks sharp and the bore is very shiny. There is some copper fouling noticeable from the muzzle end. Has a light-gray parkerizing in excellent shape.
Stock: Markings are rather faint except for a double circle-P on the grip (either proofed twice, or they accidently hit it twice). There are markings on the left side, but I couldn't make them out in the shop. Stock is in excellent condition with normally handling marks. No dings, scratches or gouges of note.
The gun shop says an old man brought it in that had bought it many many years ago (like 50 or something). He said that he bought a life-time membership in the NRA, and as a "gift" was able to buy this at a discount, or something like that. He said it was "un-issued" when he bought it, but it may very well be an arsenal rebuild.
The tag price was $649, but they would let me have it for $499 since they recognized me as a somewhat regular. I have the rifle on hold, just in case it turns out to be a gem. So is this a good price?
Thanks in advance for any help.
LL
I did pay a more reasonable $300 for his M1 Carbine, though it was also a DCM gun that he had never shot, and in mint condition. Hell, I have to be lucky now and again, just to keep my hand in the game! 
