leadcounsel
Moderator
I've picked up a Springfield 1903 today.
The good. It was only $200. Serial number is in the 900,000 range, which indicates safe to shoot (above 800,000 where they had metallurgy problems), and a 1918 manufacture date. Light surface rust, which should come off easily with some CLP and scrubbing. No cracks in stock. No obvious mechanical or structural issues. Smooth action and trigger.
The bad. Sadly, it's been sporterized. But it appears that the job was done with quality in mind.
The stock has a nice comb in it, and is like a hunting rifle in shape/design. The sights appear to be expensive target sites, with peephole and quality adjustments both front and rear. The trigger is wide, grooved, appears quality aftermarket target style, and breaks crisp at a guess-timate 2-3 pounds. Very crisp, like a quality 1911 feel to it.
The receiver and barrel have been drilled and tapped for a scope/rings.
The barrel is in great condition, with excellent barreling. It's a heavy barrel, with the markings "F.E. Hoffman .30-06".
Looking for expertise on the type/quality of this barrel, trigger, and sites.
This is my 3rd 1903, and I feel that for $200 I really couldn't go wrong as long as this was in the range that is safe to shoot. And while the historical value is all but ruined due to the sporterizing of this gem, the upgrades in barrel, sites, trigger, etc. probably make this a fabulous $200 shooter, perhaps on par with any modern $500, $800, or even $1000 .3006.
The good. It was only $200. Serial number is in the 900,000 range, which indicates safe to shoot (above 800,000 where they had metallurgy problems), and a 1918 manufacture date. Light surface rust, which should come off easily with some CLP and scrubbing. No cracks in stock. No obvious mechanical or structural issues. Smooth action and trigger.
The bad. Sadly, it's been sporterized. But it appears that the job was done with quality in mind.
The stock has a nice comb in it, and is like a hunting rifle in shape/design. The sights appear to be expensive target sites, with peephole and quality adjustments both front and rear. The trigger is wide, grooved, appears quality aftermarket target style, and breaks crisp at a guess-timate 2-3 pounds. Very crisp, like a quality 1911 feel to it.
The receiver and barrel have been drilled and tapped for a scope/rings.
The barrel is in great condition, with excellent barreling. It's a heavy barrel, with the markings "F.E. Hoffman .30-06".
Looking for expertise on the type/quality of this barrel, trigger, and sites.
This is my 3rd 1903, and I feel that for $200 I really couldn't go wrong as long as this was in the range that is safe to shoot. And while the historical value is all but ruined due to the sporterizing of this gem, the upgrades in barrel, sites, trigger, etc. probably make this a fabulous $200 shooter, perhaps on par with any modern $500, $800, or even $1000 .3006.
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