The .22s I’m going to keep because of the memories of “plinking” around in the desert with him, and days of target practice and what not.
Any way…
The “collection” has this one big huge gun, (by my standards any way), it was his “deer rifle”. As a skinny 10 year old, the thing was SCARY. It didn’t go “pop” or “crack” when you fired it – it went “BOOOOOM” – and made my ears ring for the next 2 days, left skid marks on my shoulder and was so heavy he had to help me prop it up to fire it, and had to stand behind me so the recoil wouldn’t knock me on my butt.
Here it is 30 years later and it’s too much gun for me. It’s a Springfield, bolt action, 03a3.
The stock was “sporterized” and it has a custom barrel. No chips – no scratches, original bluing,
(I know these things are important because I read so). But how do find out what it’s value is – money wise. The sentimental value not withstanding).
I checked the usual places but still have no idea of what to do with it.
Generally “sporterizing” is going to lower the value for a collecter. If it’s a fantastic job you might get a little more from someone looking for a good deal.
I’d guess maybe $400. Since I’ve not seen it I can’t do much better, I’m afraid. Consignment might be an option? Most of the medium size dealers I know do this kind of thing and there’s a chance prices vary by location. Sometimes I’d rather not deal with selling a gun to a complete stranger and a dealer will do the background check and etc.
Some listed here with prices. But the CMP sold hundreds of surplus 03s so they aren’t particularly rare, unless you’ve got something like on of these.
On the other hand, the market is drying up (CMP isn’t expecting any more for a couple years) so I could be off by several hundred.
Keep it. Learn to fire it and take it out every now and then, even just for target shooting. Yes. it does go BOOM. That’s the nature of rifles and it’s not hard to get used to. But I think that unless you are really hard up for the $400, you would be happier keeping it.
I’ve two of these. One was my first deer rifle, the other was Dad’s. He obtained at nominal cost (free?) through a DCM program (Director of Civilian Marksmanship) and “sporterized” it himself. Thousands upon thousands of these rifles were passed into civilian hands via this route, so they are not rare at all.
You say yours “has the origional bluing” which is probably not true. Origionally, these rifles were rough finished, and parkerized, not blued.(parkerizing has a greenish grey cast to it) Dad rigged the his barelled action up on the drill press, and filed/sanded the barrel to a smooth finish, actually did a fairly nice job for such a bodge. Mine was/is still parkerized and looked like hell even before I carried off a cliff. (actually, the scope took most of the damage, that replaced, it didn’t fare too badly considering).
If they are worth ca. $400 nowadays, then I’m suprised. I recall spending $125 hard earned paper-route dollars for mine in 1976 or '77.
I second the opinions above. It is not worth much and is a family heirloom. Keep it, shoot it, and enjoy it.
On edit, The Springfields used a slightly modified Mauser action, that is renowned for it’s strength. If not badly corroded, and the barrel is clear of obstruction, it is almost certainly safe to fire.
For the record, it looks like the bottom rifle in this photo referenced by Bobotheoptimist.
I guess what I don’t know is what to look at in order to identify exactly what I have.
Keeping it is good advice Dag Otto. Upon reflection, I’m not that hard up for cash, I think I can handle it better now than when I was a little kid, and it is a family heirloom. I’m sure he wanted me to have it, not sell it. But if it turned out to be a “jewel”, (witch I doubt), I might be tempted.
** Kevbo**, I don’t think the bluing is original then. It is that dark greenish gray color but it is shiny.
** Bosda**, you’re a riot!
I think what I will do is get some photos of it so you can see what I am talking about.
Definately keep it. Those are great rifles, and they can serve lots of fun purposes. Besides hunting you could even get involved in shooting military matches with it if such a thing might interest you. That’s a handy all around bolt action gun chambered for a decent round, you could do a lot worse.
If you’re at all interested in shooting (or collecting or history) it might be fun to look at restoring it as a hobby. Find a surplus stock, learn how to steam out the dents, refinish it, find a CMP recognized club that does Service Rifle matches, then buy another from CMP, repeat.
Carried one in bootcamp 50 years ago. “Pushed the piece” w/ that thing uncounted times and left boot in a hell of a lot better shape than when I entered.
Keep it, just as a memory of your old man, even if you never fire it.
Ok, the “don’t sell it" crew is winning. I’m still going to post some pics, probably after work tomorrow. I’m not really a hunter, but a gun club does sound like a fun diversion. As far as restoring it goes, it doesn’t need it. My dad was a Marine, all his guns were well taken care of. They were broken down and cleaned after every use. The wood is in fine condition, the bluing has no chips or scratches, the action is very smooth. There are no little granules in the barrel, and the muzzle isn’t worn. Though it may need a cleaning because it hasn’t been fired in a good 20 years, but was always kept in a case, so I don’t know if moisture had much of a chance, (shows you how much I know).
I only took a short look at it the day before I posted the OP, now that I know what to look for, I will take a closer look this time.
In any case this thread has taught me a lot, I knew I could count on the GQ crew.
I used “restore” to mean “put it back like it was originally”. You won’t be able to compete in a Service Rifle match with the current stock, for instance, and some people really dig the research and stuff required to restore an old firearm.
If you’re not into that kind of thing, just shooting it in its current condition should be fun.
I think the barrel may have been shortened. If thats the case, I might go find one that needs help and make a project of it. This whole thread is giving me lots of ideas for a new hobby!
But more than anything, this thread makes me want to take it out for a test drive this weekend.
Well, apparently no one else know either. I suspect the Remington is worth slightly more than other contract manufactured (typewriter company made some about the same time, I think), ISTR that they are WWII (or just prior) vintage rather than WWI so probably slightly less collectible but maybe a little better for shooting. I have no idea what it might be worth, however.
