SRS check please on RIA 214674

[tbone69]

looks like a 1912 mfg with 4-12 barrel.CN 1912 cartouch.any help would be welcome. looks to be original
thanks!

[John Beard]

RIA S/N 214674 came out of the collection of a local doctor, perhaps in South Dakota, and was consigned for sale by his widow through a friend to a gun shop in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin. The rifle was listed on Gunbroker with a Buy-It-Now price of $3500. When the rifle failed to gather any bids, the Buy-It-Now price was systematically lowered over a period of several weeks to $2750. The rifle was eventually bid up to $2300, but failed to meet its Reserve. The rifle has since been withdrawn.

The rifle is marked "N.R.A." on the trigger guard. The rifle is not entirely original and is in somewhat worn condition. The original magazine cutoff appears to have been recently replaced. In addition, the rear sight slide binding screw is broken off. The rifle is not listed in SRS.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[sdkrag]

Mr. Beard. What would be a fair price? I offered $1500 last year to the gentleman handling the consignment. In fact I identified it when he first took possession of the rifle. Do you feel it is a true N.R.A rifle? tbone69 did you purchase this rifle.

[John Beard]

Mr. Beard. What would be a fair price? I offered $1500 last year to the gentleman handling the consignment. In fact I identified it when he first took possession of the rifle. Do you feel it is a true N.R.A rifle? tbone69 did you purchase this rifle.

Based on today's economy, I value the rifle in the $1500 - $2000 range, perhaps a bit more with the original sling. And that's more or less reflected in the bidding reaching only $2300. The rifle is most definitely an N.R.A. sales rifle. I noted with interest that, between the set of pictures you took and the set of pictures now displayed, the original magazine cutoff appears to have been replaced.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[tbone69]

did it have a 1917 enfield front swivel band on it when you saw it?

[sdkrag]

No. When I looked it over I felt it was the nicest 1903 I'd ever had the chance to handle. The fellow who was disposing of the Dr's. collection wanted me to look at it and tell him what it was. Now I generally like Krags but do all right on 1903 rifles. I was excited and disappointed because I priced myself right out of purchasing it. I can't believe that the front swivel and cutoff were messed with. I think when it was consigned in Wisconsin the chain of custody was compromised. Too bad. I would have loved to own the rifle. Did you buy it tbone69?

[tbone69]

sdkrag,
sent you an email about this

[John Beard]

I now see from the photos that the lower band with swivel (not upper band) was indeed replaced with an M1917 lower band when sdkrag photographed the rifle when first reported.

J.B.

[tbone69]

Thanks JB, that helps.waiting for pics from sdkrag to compare.cutoff hss sarifs both sides and looks correct

[John Beard]

Thanks JB, that helps.waiting for pics from sdkrag to compare.cutoff hss sarifs both sides and looks correct

I am pleased to learn that the cutoff is correct and has apparently not been replaced. I couldn't imagine why someone would replace it. It looked good in the earlier photos.

J.B.

[sdkrag]

I am embarrassed that I missed the replaced swivel band when I looked at the rifle last year. I was on the road all day today but will try to get my wife to help me with the pictures tomorrow.

[tbone69]

JB, what would assess value at with the swapped band, broken binding screw and pitted bore? also, the sling keepers have been replaced. front guard screw is buggered pretty badly as well.

[John Beard]

JB, what would assess value at with the swapped band, broken binding screw and pitted bore? also, the sling keepers have been replaced. front guard screw is buggered pretty badly as well.

See previous posting of 3-24-2014. Nothing has changed that would substantially affect valuation. The rear sight, swapped band, and boogered screw issues are easily corrected at very minimal expense. As far as a pitted bore, it is what it is, and that's reflected in the valuation.

J.B.

[sdkrag]

Either I need to stick to Krags or I have never seen really nice 03's. Or maybe both.

[tbone69]

learning is expensive

[John Beard]

learning is expensive

Amen!!!

J.B.