Remington 1903

[jryoung]

What do you guys know about a Remington 1903 Mark I? In previous threads I noted how I am working to help a friend sort through her fathers collection of firearms. We wen't through the long guns yesterday and this one popped out at me. It's in fantastic shape and seems as if it could be worth a fair amount of money (even better if it had the Pedersen attachment).

Any of you know what more to look for in this old timer?

 

[dustinf]

I have no idea, but I'll pay the 130 tag price.

 

[MKotur325]

Correct me if I'm wrong... That doesn't look like an original barrel to me, can you confirm?

 

[jryoung]

I can't, the gun as a whole is in great shape, it is unlikely that her Dad did anything to the rifle. However, it had a sporter stock on it as opposed to the full length garand style (for lack of a better term) that I see show up on google searches.

 

[MKotur325]

It appears to me to be sporterized, fully... 'Cuz I also don't remember any stock 1903's with jeweled bolts... Again, my recollection... It would not surprise me if the smith that did the stock and jeweled the bolt put a new tube on it as well... but not sure how to check that...

It is a beautiful well maintained firearm, and definitely worth some $$

 

[SFC B]

Man, I love some peeps!!

 

[MThuntr]

It appears to me to be sporterized, fully... 'Cuz I also don't remember any stock 1903's with jeweled bolts... Again, my recollection... It would not surprise me if the smith that did the stock and jeweled the bolt put a new tube on it as well... but not sure how to check that...

It is a beautiful well maintained firearm, and definitely worth some $$

I agree. They did not have jeweled bolts and the barrel does not look original. The Mark1 makes it worth a bit more. I'd check gunbroker for comparable as the values of modified 1903s tend to be highly variable.

 

[Southwind]

It looks like just a nice sporter version, possibly he had it set up to shoot Natl match high power. Honestly, to me it looks like a nice sporter there were not that many commercial hunting rifles available but a ton of surplus 1903's so that is what guys had as their hunting rifle.

Would like to see whole thing.

 

[chuckyd313]

Beautiful rifles.

 

[Redwood]

First of all, I love 03's and bet this one shoots well. However, this gun has zero collector value. It's market is as a shooter. Problem is, it's appeal is to a small market. Realistically, the gun is only worth a couple hundred bucks. Compare it to what you can buy a new rifle for and what you get, then ask yourself how much you would pay for the 03 as a "novelty" shooter. As a whole seller I would pay $300 tops, be happy to sell it for around 500. Of course condition would also have to be considered, looks like a bit of finish wear around the grip area. The aftermarket sight is the best part.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

First of all, I love 03's and bet this one shoots well. However, this gun has zero collector value. It's market is as a shooter. Problem is, it's appeal is to a small market. Realistically, the gun is only worth a couple hundred bucks. Compare it to what you can buy a new rifle for and what you get, then ask yourself how much you would pay for the 03 as a "novelty" shooter. As a whole seller I would pay $300 tops, be happy to sell it for around 500. Of course condition would also have to be considered, looks like a bit of finish wear around the grip area. The aftermarket sight is the best part.

Having an 03A3 that my Dad sporterized and put in a hand-carved walnut stock before he gave it to me for my first rifle in 1973, I would say your assessment is on the money. They are a shooter and wih that peep on it I'd imagine it was being used for bench rest competitions.