Springfield 1903-A3 value?

[bichettereds]

I've got a Remington made 1903 A3 that was supposedly made in July of 1943.
Condition seems to be excellent. I included some pics.

I know very little about military surplus rifles so Id see if you guys could help me with the value on this? Any things I should look for to help determine the value aside from condition?

Thanks

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772243_zpsba2rowsb.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772248_zpswedyfvx2.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772250_zpsvnflt2i7.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772251_zpsno4r3jsv.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772252_zpsixojstuq.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772253_zps9yo0j8kh.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772256_zpskvs9fyoc.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772257_zpsqyu7ggsr.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772261_zpshcmy1um7.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/bichettereds/Mobile%20Uploads/1477772261_zps97ibdtbq.jpg

[waksupi]

I saw a 03/A3 similar to your condition in a gun shop this week. $850. I see lots of ratty looking examples at gun shows up to $1200. I'd check the auction sites, and see what actual selling prices are.

[bichettereds]

I plan to, I just want to make sure Im looking at comparable rifles. Any features, manufacturing stamps, ect I should look for? Or is it pretty much just an 1903-A3 Springfield and its all condition based from there?

[marvelshooter]

It may just be the lighting but the the finish on the stock looks a bit shiny to be original. Is there an "FJA" in a box on the left side of the stock just above the trigger guard?

[bichettereds]

The serial number on the receiver and the stamp on the barrel both date it to July of 1943 they seem to be original.

[bichettereds]

No FJA stamp.

[bouncer50]

About 10 years back i bought one from a gun shop for 450.00. I call a friend of mine and told him what i bought. He came over to look at it. He beg me to sell it to him. He offer first 500.00 then 550.00 600.00 then 650.00 700.00 then again 750.00. I say yes for 750.00 i only had it for 6 hours.The rifle was almost new and orginal. Even the bolt face had no wear. I did some reading on the 1943 model it said by 1943 they had enough bolt action rifle and a lot of them were put in storage. I bet someone bought this rifle after the war and never use or play with it.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I also was wondering about both the `shine` on the wood finish, the lack of handling dings after this many years. I`ve seen real `drug behind the truck` examples being sold with an honest face for $995.00!Robert

[bichettereds]

There are plenty of handling marks on the stock. Just nothing big enough to show in the photos I took.

[akajun]

Standard 03a3. Metal looks in good shape , stock is a replacement , should be a scant or c stock. No stamps in the stock scream replacement , but could be a wartime replacement stock purchased from dcm. This is a shooter and as such bore condition is key.
Tgats a $700 gun all day long.
Yea people ask more but I don't see them selling

[lefty o]

looks like a refurb or someones refinish. nice looking rifle, probably make a excellent shooter. imo $6-700, though like anything, the right guy will pay more.

[koger]

The last 2 guys are right on the money, for your rifle, 6-700$ Also, always look at the muzzle, if you see a * stamped there, it is a star gauged rifle, some of the best shooting ones ever made. I have a neighbor who has one unissued, thinking about selling it to me!

[dubber123]

I hope it's not a hijack, but about what would a similar condition Smith Corona 03-A3 go for? Duller stock finish with inspectors stamps. I won't tell you what I paid for it :)

[WILCO]

I know very little about military surplus rifles so Id see if you guys could help me with the value on this?

Only real way to know is to have it appraised.

[leadman]

I was looking on the CMP website last night at what these guns are going for. Seems the average condition 1903a3 is around $700. The guys on the forum there can help you with the value.

[lefty o]

I hope it's not a hijack, but about what would a similar condition Smith Corona 03-A3 go for? Duller stock finish with inspectors stamps. I won't tell you what I paid for it :)
you really have to have a gun in your hands to evaluate it. even with pictures its difficult and but a guess. without even pics, asking is like asking how much is my old chevy worth, and no more info?

[bichettereds]

Delete

[marvelshooter]

I am pretty sure the reply you quoted was directed toward the member who asked about a Smith - Corona rifle.

[bichettereds]

I am pretty sure the reply you quoted was directed toward the member who asked about a Smith - Corona rifle.


Oops. You're right.

[marvelshooter]

You seem to have been given what seems like a pretty fair estimate of value. Was this so you would know what you have or are you thinking of selling it?

[bichettereds]

The latter.

[Char-Gar]

The last 2 guys are right on the money, for your rifle, 6-700$ Also, always look at the muzzle, if you see a * stamped there, it is a star gauged rifle, some of the best shooting ones ever made. I have a neighbor who has one unissued, thinking about selling it to me!

A Star gauged 03-A3....shurly you jest!

[flounderman]

Back quite a few years the DCM was selling springfields for less than 20 dollars. Some of them were about new condition. You could get one every two years. I bought two and when it was time to get a third one they were gone, but I could have bought a carbine for 30 dollars, and didn't want one.

[flyin brian]

I've bought and sold a lot of 1903s and 03-A3s... but with the small photos and lack of detail there, it's impossible to give you a closer value than what has been given. There are a lot of little things you could check but too many to list here.
Good luck, maybe there is someone at a local gun shop or gun club that has knowledge of US Military arms and could give an evaluation?

[bpatterson84]

Young man here, looking for a 1903 to shoot a fair bit, which generation should I be looking for? Want a decent condition shooter, not a museum piece.

[flyin brian]

Young man here, looking for a 1903 to shoot a fair bit, which generation should I be looking for? Want a decent condition shooter, not a museum piece.

Your first choice would be to choose either a 1903 or an 03-A3. The 1903 is more of a challenge to shoot well, especially for us old farts since the rear sight is farther from the eye. That probably won't make as much of a difference to a younger shooter. It is more of a challenge to learn how to adjust a 1903 sight as well, but it is much more precise in adjustment when compared to a 1903-A3. The 03-A3 has the benefit of a longer sight radius, but the elevation adjustment is limited and course.

If you choose a 1903, you should learn about the whole "low number" issue... which is easy to research on google. Basically the early rifles were not heat treated consistently, so the receiver may be brittle. It won't be a problem in normal use, but if you have a catastrophic event, the receiver could grenade instead of bending. Many people poo-poo the warnings, but I don't shoot my low numbered 03s.

If I was looking for my first, I would find a high numbered Springfield or maybe a Remington 1903 made in WWII and play with that for a long while. Once you master that sight there is no gong you can't hit!! :)

[Fernando]

Markings make alot of difference - correct, mix mash, repro etc...
Condition always
Location is real big...online or local.
Prices are all over on these.
Some find gems for 450ish but kinda nice to real nice 650 to 750 is what I had to run at.
Some want collectors others just nice looking shooters and don't care if cartouches are sanded.
Just what I have learned looking the last 6 months.
I was always a day late and dollar short - finally just caved and jumped on what looked OK.
Good luck