Springfield 1903 Mark 1 Questions

jnmiller75

January 17, 2003 17:48

My Grandfather gave me a Springfield 1903 Mark 1 rifle, Serial # 111xxxx, with SA 10-19 stamped on the barrel. The gun is in pretty good shape, but there was some light pitting on the barrel, and probably about 50% of the original blueing remains. It has a customized monte carlo type stock, and the reciver was drilled to install a scope. I know from reading previous posts here that drilling the reciver to install scope mounts greatly reduces the value, however I am still interested in what the value might be.

Another question I had was about the Pederson device these were modified for. Are there any still around, and if so, what do they go for? What about the 40 rd. magazines that fit the pederson device?

Thanks for you help.

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  mark christian

  January 17, 2003 18:34

  An UNALTERED 1903 Mark 1 in any decent condition will sell in the $1000 range. As condition goes up so does the price and I've seen excellent+ examples move at the near $2000 level and I don't think there is any end in sight on any original 1903- they are hard to locate. Unfortunatly your Springfield is worth no where near these amounts. The sporting stock could be replaced with a correct military issue, if one could be located, but the drilling of the receiver has totally destroyed the rifles collector value.
  
  I've seen these altered '03 sporters move at around $300 or less. Someone is basically just buying the receiver- and here is your problem: At this momment the CMP has UNALTERED '03 Mark 1 receivers available for $115. Your receiver is not worth half that amount since it has been basically ruined by drilling. This does not imply it is not a decent rifle, but what real good is a sporter rifle with a 84 year old military barrel attached to it? It is the worst of both words- a ruined receiver and a sporting rifle with an ancient military barrel. You'd be better served by mounting a real sporting commercial grade barrel to your receiver for use in hunting and then purchasing a stripped Mark 1 receiver for the $115. Then after mounting your 1919 barrel to the new receiver- you'd be off to a good start on a nice collectable '03.
  
  As for locating a Pedersen device; you either won't live long enough to find a complete example for sale or have enough money to purchase it if you do find one. These are out of reach of we ordinary folk. Nearly all were destroyed by the Army and very few have survived and most of those are now in museums. Parts for these do show up now and then but I have not seen a magazine for one for sale in a decade. I'd just forget about it. Sorry to disappoint you.
  
  Mark T. Christian

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  Herschel

  January 17, 2003 18:35

  The Mk 1 1903's sell for only slightly more than the other 1903's. Having all the orginal Mk1 parts makes the rifle a little more desireable. The original Pedersen devices go for $20,000 or more. I have heard there have been reproductions made. Ammo for the device will bring $100 or so for a 40 rd box. I have no idea about the magazine's value. Sporterized 1903's are on the internet auctions frequently. You can get a pretty good idea of their value there.

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  Der Gebirgsjager

  January 17, 2003 18:43

  Yours is a difficult question to answer without actually seeing the rifle. I have taken a M1903 Springfield Sporter in on consignment which is to be offered for sale on the Gunbroker.com Auction soon. It is a custom sporter in many respects having a jewelled bolt and floorplate, floorplate opening lever, skeletonized grip cap with checked wood in the cut-out areas, like new bore, nice bluing, ebony (?)forend tip, Weaver K-4 scope, etc., etc. The asking starting bid will be $625. There are many such sporterized Springfields and the amount and quality of the customization and the overall conditon of the piece will determine the value. Perhaps you can get some idea what yours might be worth by comparing it to the one I've described. As for the Pedersen device, I once read an article that stated precisely how many were still in existence; but do not recall the exact number. I was something like 5 in operational condition in private collections and perhaps 3 that were salvaged from the fire when the U.S. Govt. destroyed them following W.W.I. At the time the specimens in good condition were valued at about $20,000 each and the damaged ones at $2-$3,000. You are unlikely to ever encounter one.

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  nmyers

  April 05, 2003 05:06

  Value of your rifle as you describe it, about $100.
  
  Neal

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  joeaf1911a1

  April 06, 2003 08:10

  There is a complete writup on the Petersen Device, about 6 pages
  long on the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) web site at
  www.odcmp.com/services/rifles/pipsqueak_pistol.htm

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  joeaf1911a1

  April 06, 2003 08:16

  Sorry, I missed putting a _ between pipsqueak and pistol
  should be pipsqueak_pistol.htm Keyboard has too many
  cigar ashes in it and needs cleaning again.

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