I've just come into an 03-A3 and I need a value on it. (It doesn't seem to fit in either the Modern Military or the Sporterized Forums, but this is closest, I think.)

These are the newer pics I said I'd post...

It's an 03-A3 (Remington, IIRC) in a military stock - I suspect its original owner bought it from CMP 30 - 40 years ago. It has not been sporterized. It's not National Match. The last time I saw it it had a web sling and had no rust - plain vanilla good condition.

Pending more info, can someone give me a floor value, please?

Unfortunately, I don't have more info or a photo yet, but I'll provide that ASAP the day of this posting. That's not much info, but I'll post it when I can get to it in a few hours.





Serial number corresponds with a January 1944 date.

Barrel marking is "RA" and "10/43", which puts it a few months after the serial number date.

$400-800. Just look at Gunbroker and look at what is actually getting bids.

Here is a beautiful gun, now at $521. If I had room in the safe I'd start bidding:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=311623767

I think 1903's are way undervalued. Best of luck.

Thanks, Dave. I did that before I posted, but nothing showed up. Midnight glitch, I guess.

Yeah, they are nice. I appreciate your checking for me.

I sold my smith corona a few years ago for 700,could easily get more now.

Most 03A3's in excellent original condition around here go more routinely for $800-$1200.

you can compare the prices and condition of the rifle at www.oldguns.net
they also have photos
Bob

Thanks - I'll check. The basic condition of this rifle appears to me to be "un-inssued" (stock still has shine on it and there appear to be few dings), but I'll have to research it a little before I can say whether the parts all match.

I decided to take my time with it rather than to try to do a quick sale on something I don't completely understand yet.

quote:

Originally posted by Jaywalker:

I decided to take my time with it rather than to try to do a quick sale on something I don't completely understand yet.

Very sound thinking...for both sales and purchases. If more folks took that approach with purchases it would put an awfully lot of "fake-builders" underwater and, hopefully, eventually out of business.

scant stock - i don't remember why that stands out ... good lord, 1200 for a springfield? its my second fav turnbolt, after the 36 mexican, but dang it, they were 150-200 10 years ago .. shouldnt be a cent more than 400...

That's no problem, you can buy them "sporterized" for next to nothing and the actions are usually untouched.

I've posted up the pics I mentioned earlier that I'd update. The markings all match, indicating Remington, and the barrel and receiver are reasonable for a match. This appears to me to be unissued, but I'm no expert.

I appreciate the help. I'll indicate here in the next few days when I'm ready to post it to Classified here in AR.

That stock is a winner! Great shape and wonderful cartouches. You say all the numbers match? Trigger group everything is Remington right? Do you know what the muzzle and bore gauges at? If it gauges good this thing is at the top of the scale. Low end $800 to a collector. At an auction the sky is the limit but $1100 is not unreasonable. That said you can still find some for $550 but they sure are not in this kind of shape. If you don't buy this would you send it my way? Its a beauty!

Oh your selling! In that case it is only worth... Seriously I think 800 is a fair area but I could even be low. I am no expert either but I buy enough of these to have a fair idea of the value. Too many variables yet.

Mike,

I don't have a formal muzzle wear gauge, but an M2 Ball set into the muzzle looks to me to be muzzle wear = 0. I haven't had it out of the stock, so I don't know if numbers match. All of the external fittings are marked "R." From the look of the screws, though, it appears the action has never been out of the stock - the bluing on them isn't scratched.

it was refurbished at raritan arsenal, so it was likely out of the stock at least the one time.

delloro,

That's interesting. Can you explain, please?

I think I found it - "RA" means Ruritan Arsenal. Why would something built so late need a refurbish? I'm amending this statement...

Re-reading the m1903.com site, it appears the "RA" on the side, when accompanied by the "FJA" doesn't mean "Ruritan Arsenal," but rather "Remington Arms" new manufacture, when accompanied by the "FJA" stamp, "Frank J. Adams." Also, there is only one "P" behind the trigger guard, and indications are there would be two if it had been refurbished. A Riritan Arsenal refurbish would be styled "RA-P" if proof-fired, though it might not have been proofed if it were inspected only, rather than refurbished.

you might be right about the RA thing. and the mix of blue and parked parts does look appropriate.

check the CMP forums, Rick the Librarian knows about those things.

refurb or not, it is beautiful.

I am looking at 1100 low to 2400 high if all original as issued, never been monkeyed with or rebuilt, and all internals match.

Thanks, Mike.

Thanks for the help. I have put it up on Gunbroker: http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=318228099