1903 receiver

texas-shooter

April 22, 2003 17:58

I have early 1903 receiver serial no.139,000 with a prick punch under the serial number.Does this mean that it was checked for correct hardness.? I've read my copy of the Springfield rifle about the early receivers, some were destroyed,some were ok and I think some were re-heat treated.The prick looks like the mark from a Rockwell test. any info appreciated.

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  texas-shooter

  April 22, 2003 17:58

  What is the going price on a 1903 or a 1903a3 receiver?
  
  Texas-Shooter

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  nmyers

  April 22, 2003 18:22

  About $75, if in the safe serial # range.
  
  Neal

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  mark christian

  April 22, 2003 18:36

  Although currently sold out, I believe that the CMP last year was selling low numbered 03 receivers for $25 (classified as unsafe to shoot), $75 for receivers in the safe serial range, and $100 for the 03A3 receivers. The CMP currently has complete 03 and 03A3 Rifles for sale in the $400-$500 range,
  
  Mark T. Christian

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  Der Gebirgsjager

  April 22, 2003 18:52

  Say, fellas, you're getting no arguement from me here about your valuation of $75

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  it's just that it seems really low to me. Would you say the influx of CMP 1903s lowered the price (bought one myself)? I remember a couple of years ago receivers were just about non-existent and they were going for $250 in the Shotgun News. I rarely buy one, because most of the custom rifles I've built have been on '98 Mauser actions. These have also dropped in price somewhat--depending on who made it. Maybe some of this disparity is regional also, because I'd be surprised (and Happy!)to pick up a good '03 action in my area for $75.

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  texas-shooter

  April 23, 2003 04:31

  Thanks for the info-I read about some of the heat treated receivers from the 20's that were unsafe. What is the safe range of serial numbers? I figured that since most of the 03's out there had mixed parts that I would just uild my own.
  
  
  
  Texas-Shooter

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  nmyers

  April 23, 2003 04:56

  All Springfield Armory receivers below 810,000 should be considered "unsafe"; straight-bend bolts should also be considered "unsafe", but any US-marked N.S. bolt can be considered safe. All 03A3 receivers are safe.
  
  Building your own could be a good project if you already own most of the other parts. But, you have to do the math. If you're going to have to spend $200-300 on other parts, $75-100 for gunsmith assembly, etc., you will end up spending > the $400 that CMP wants for a ready-to-shoot arsenal rebuilt rifle. While the parts on many CMP rifles are mixed, they often have the same finish & wear, and will always have some collectibility; anything you put together will be a Mixed Parts Mongrel.
  
  While the recent sale of 03 & 03A3 receivers by CMP has satisfied the needs of many gun builders, previous high prices for them were just a temporary result of feeding frenzy. DCM sold hundreds of thousands of rifles in the '50s, and these still can be found in the $300-400 range.
  
  Neal

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