Need Estimate of Value

[robertbank]

This gun is listed on canadiangunnutz forum. He wants to trade for an English Double Shotgun and apparently does not want cash. In his description ti would sound like the gun was never issued and when he bought it 20 years ago it was wrapped in grease. I would be interested in knowing what value a gun like this has. I may have access to what he wants but would rather here from you guys first.

Take Care

Bob


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SAfulllengthright.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SAfulllengthleft.jpg



http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SAactiontop.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SAbuttplate2.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SAbore2.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SArecringCU3.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SAfrontsight.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l276/Northof58/SAwoodinletbolt.jpg

[scb]

Low numbered Springfield (unsafe? heat treat), repaired stock, suspect bore (from pic). It may be worth something to a collector by with flaws I don't think so. As a shooter you can certainly do better. Unless you can get an English double for $300.00 - $400.00 I'd say no. Personally I wouldn't even consider this weapon at anything less than $200.00 primarily because of the heat treat issue. My $.02, remember they say advice is worth what you pay for it. Good luck, Steve

[John-n-va]

Barrel date matches the serial number but I would be suspect of the stock repair. Looks like an armory rebuild IMO. One other thing to be aware of is that low numbered Springfields are not safe to shoot due to inferior heat treatment of the receivers. I don't know exactly where the serial number break is but I have read that below 1,200,000 are not safe but don't take that as gospel without some research.

[robertbank]

Thanks fellows that is what I was looking for. I'll pass.

Take Care

Bob

[NVcurmudgeon]

Bob, the traditional dividing line for low vs. high serial numbers has been 800,000 for Springfield receivers and 285,507 for Rock Island receivers. The one pictured is therefore a high number. But I would still not trade a quality English double shotgun for it. IMO you would be trading down.

[garandsrus]

Bob,

Virtually all the 03's and 03A3's from the CMP were covered in cosmoline, which is a preservative. It does look/feel/act a lot like a grease. This does NOT mean that the rifle was un-issued. It was simply put in cosmoline for storage.

I seriously doubt that a non-issued rifle would have a stock repair and the other dings that can be seen in the photos.

John