1903 USMC w/Sedgely barrel
Experts,
I have an 1903 Springfield, originally mfg. 1918-19, forget which. It was rebarrelled during World War II by Sedgely in 12-43, with USMC stamped on the barrel. In excellent condition.
Any ideas of the value?
Thank you.
I have an 1903 Springfield, originally mfg. 1918-19, forget which. It was rebarrelled during World War II by Sedgely in 12-43, with USMC stamped on the barrel. In excellent condition.
Any ideas of the value?
Thank you.
0
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To give a reasonable estimate of value more information and closeup, clear photos are needed. From what you have said I would estimate a value of $400 to $600. The replacement barrel detracts considerable from collector interest. The stock is likely a replacement and the rifle may be one of the reimports sold through the CMP a few years ago. 0 -
Sedgely made & sold spare parts to the government during WW2, they did not perform any work on military-owned rifles. Their barrels were used as replacements by all the US armed services, not just the Marine Corp.
Many Sedgely barrels were demilled by bending & sold as scrap after WW2. Some enterprising folks straightened them & sold them as new. You must examine the bore carefully for a shadow that would indicate that it has been bent.
Neal0 -
Thanks! I appreciate you taking time to reply. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Herschel
To give a reasonable estimate of value more information and closeup, clear photos are needed. From what you have said I would estimate a value of $400 to $600. The replacement barrel detracts considerable from collector interest. The stock is likely a replacement and the rifle may be one of the reimports sold through the CMP a few years ago.
Herschel,
Thanks for taking the time to reply. What caught my eye was the USMC stamp. I am a retired Marine, so that was intersting to me. There are no import marks on it, and it appears to be in great condition. Was just curious, as I don't plan to sell it. I find the whole history of the Springfields interesting, and quite a tribute to their long service that they were still used during WWII, at least in the early campaigns and as support troops weapons and sniper rifles afterward. I have just purchased an 1903A2, the variant used for artillery subcaliber training. Can't wait for it to arrive.
I did not realize the Sedgely was the subcontractor only as far as supplying parts; should have figured the rebarrelling would have been done at the Arsenals.
Merry Christmas,0 -
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
Sedgely made & sold spare parts to the government during WW2, they did not perform any work on military-owned rifles. Their barrels were used as replacements by all the US armed services, not just the Marine Corp.
Many Sedgely barrels were demilled by bending & sold as scrap after WW2. Some enterprising folks straightened them & sold them as new. You must examine the bore carefully for a shadow that would indicate that it has been bent.
Neal
Neal,
Thanks! The barrel looks great. As I told Herschel, the USMC stamp made it very interesting to me. I was just curious, and don't plan to sell it. I have another 03, an A3, and am waiting for an A2 to arrive. Just love those old Springfields.
Merry Christmas,
Wayne0 -
quote: am waiting for an A2 to arrive. Just love those old Springfields.
Merry Christmas,
Wayne
You have a line on an artillery subcaliber device?
Or a 1903A2 converted from one into a regular rifle?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
quote: am waiting for an A2 to arrive. Just love those old Springfields.
Merry Christmas,
Wayne
You have a line on an artillery subcaliber device?
Or a 1903A2 converted from one into a regular rifle?
Hawk,
I wish! What a nice Christmas that would be. Even better if I had an artillery piece to put it in! lol. No, it was converted back to a regualar rifle. I thought it was an interesting piece of history, and I had never seen one, only heard about them.
Wayne0 -
The 1903A2 is pretty rare; not many even know they should be looking for them. I've never seen an original one, but those converted back to service rifle configuration are still rare.
Wayne was pretty lucky:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=204161203
There's one like his that is currently up on the CMP auction, & bidding is (gulp) over $4K.
Neal0 -
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
The 1903A2 is pretty rare; not many even know they should be looking for them. I've never seen an original one, but those converted back to service rifle configuration are still rare.
Wayne was pretty lucky:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=204161203
There's one like his that is currently up on the CMP auction, & bidding is (gulp) over $4K.
Neal
Neal,
I was very surprised to find it and that no one else bid on it. Now, if I can just find an artillery piece...
Wayne0 -
"I did not realize the Sedgely was the subcontractor only as far as supplying parts; should have figured the rebarrelling would have been done at the Arsenals"
Your statement needs a little qualification:
Let's say a gov't purchasing agent bought fifty-thousand Sedgley barrels as part of his purchase lot.
Now, what to do with them? Why, distribute them to the armories, of course! Armories, and arsenals (is there a difference?) would do rebuilds for their selective service branches, but only a selective few will do armament building from raw materials. Best, Joe0 -
quote:Originally posted by givette
"I did not realize the Sedgely was the subcontractor only as far as supplying parts; should have figured the rebarrelling would have been done at the Arsenals"
Your statement needs a little qualification:
Let's say a gov't purchasing agent bought fifty-thousand Sedgley barrels as part of his purchase lot.
Now, what to do with them? Why, distribute them to the armories, of course! Armories, and arsenals (is there a difference?) would do rebuilds for their selective service branches, but only a selective few will do armament building from raw materials. Best, Joe
Thanks, Doc!
Semper Fi,
Wayne0
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