Collector Value of 1903 Springfield Rifles
I have several books which give values of firearms. They are inconsistent in regard to 1903 Springfields. Putting Rock Island aside for this discussion, there are about 800,000 early Springfield 1903s that have "case hardened" receivers. Then came about 500,000 rifles with "double heat treated" receivers. Then later still came 1903 Model rifles with "nickel steel" receivers. (Then came another round or two of rifles manufactured circa WWII by Remington, Smith Corona, etc., but that's another story.) My first question: of the case hardened, double heat treated, and nickel steel rifles manufactured at Springfiled, Massachusetts, how do collector values compare? My second question: do shooters value these different versions of the 1903 differently than collectors? Why? Background: I have a nice original 1903 with serial number about 115,000 and I really wonder what it is worth. See below for one valuation I have found.
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By the way, and importantly, the barrel on my 1903 is not original. It is dated about 1919. By the serial number, the rest of the rifle was manufactured about 1906 as best I can estimate. 0 -
First, let's define "original". "Original" means that all parts on a rifle are the same ones that were on it when it left the factory.
Few 1903's are found in original condition. With this rifle, the earlier the variation, the more likely it has been rebuilt or repaired. So, the earlier the rifle (assuming original condition), & the better the condition, the more value it will have with collectors. The most sought after variation is a rod bayonet rifle chambered in .30-03 Government.
YOURS is not original; it has had the barrel replaced. I would also suspect that the stock, handguards, & many metal parts have been replaced, too. It may even have been refinished.
A shooter looks at the condition of the rifle, especially the bore, since he will be looking for an accurate gun. A "shooter" 1903 will probably sell in the $200-300 range.
Unfortunately, a low number rifle that is not a "collector" can't be a "shooter", as it is considered unsafe to shoot. It may have usable parts on it, but value is likely in the $100-200 range.
Neal
EDIT: Mike, you make a good point. And, even a low number rifle that is all USGI & unmutilated might bring as much as $400-500 to someone who just wants a representative piece. There will always be folks who don't know that a low number rifle isn't safe to shoot & overpay. However, we didn't get a detailed description, or photos, of the rifle in question, so I assumed the worst.
EDIT: Photos are a big help. Mike, your rifle originally had a blue finish on all metal parts; the parkerized finish was applied during arsenal rebuild. The stock originally had an ordnance acceptance mark (cartouche) & other markings, so lack of any stock markings indicates that it is a replacement. It looks in good shape; if the bore is good, I would expect it to sell in the $300-400 range.0 -
"but value is likely in the $100-200 range."...........No offence but any 'complete' 1903 is worth more than this. The cmp is selling 'mixmasters' for $400/$500. An early mixed parantage 03 in complete condition will still bring $300 or better. 0 -
I'll buy all the springfields you can send my way at $200, low number or not. [:D]
Seriously though, generally there is little difference between the double heat treated and nickel treated receivers in terms of value. There may be a little but not much, a safe shooter is a safe shooter.
Low numbered unsafe ones are worth less, yes, but are not worthless if you catch my drift. I think CMP was asking $300 for them. All the other parts are useable and a lot of guys, smart or not, say 'bah, I'm gonna shoot it anyhow' and do, with no problems. I know I wouldn't, but to each his own.0 -
Regarding "unsafe to shoot the low SNs," why is this the case if they originally shot 30-06 anyway? Is modern 30-06 ammo much higher pressure than when the Model 1903 rifles were in use up to WWII? 0 -
Here are some photos: 0 -
mljackso, There is endless and heated debate about the safety of the single heat treated 1903 Springfields. The US rebarreled untold thousands of the low number rifles in WWII for issue to troops. Obviously the govt did not consider them "unsafe". Most if not all failures are due to bore obstructions, improper ammo, e.g. 8mm Mau., etc. Please do a search on low number failures rather than getting that can of worms reopened on this forum. The topic comes up regularly on Culver's Shooting page, 1903/1903A3/A4 forum. 0 -
quote:Please do a search on low number failures rather than getting that can of worms reopened on this forum. The topic comes up regularly on Culver's Shooting page, 1903/1903A3/A4 forum.
Thanks for this heads up. I will go there to research this topic.0 -
Parkerized finish. WWII era arsenal re-work. It originally left the factory blued. Park'ing didn't start 'till the '40's. That the barrel is dated 1919 means it was arsenal re-worked after WWI. And it means that the barrel was "not out of spec"..so they didn't pull it (a second time) when it was arsenal re-worked a second time in the '40's.
The list you gave in your original post is for collector grade '03's, and is no longer valid. A collector won't touch the firearm in the photos..and those are the people that would be paying the prices in your list.
If you wish, check finished '03 auctions here on Gunbroker for a more realistic return on your investment, should you wish to sell. Best, and Good Luck! Joe0 -
I am continually amazed at the wealth of knowledge available on this forum. Thank you all for helping me. 0 -
And, of course, that's a "scant" stock which is a WWII (or later) replacement. P.S. Nice pictures. 0
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