Legitimate NRA?

[rmcnabb]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=424768659

Not attracting much interest. Something about it feels wrong to me. I don't know enough to know. Maybe a restock? Any thoughts?

[m1903rifle]

Looks good to me:

1356069 SPT 10/17/30 DCM Rifle Sales 1922-42

[rmcnabb]

What about 1356079? That's the rifle' actual SN, not what is listed in the text body. Thanks very much.

[m1903rifle]

Yes..................that one too:

1356079 SPT 05/09/31 DCM Rifle Sales 1922-42

[Chris W.]

What doesn't look right is the way the SN is stamped. The 1 isn't spaced the same as the rest of the numbers, the depth of the stamp and the font are off. I can't imagine Springfield doing this kind of a job on the SN, guess to tell for sure you would need to look closely at the SN on another rifle in that range. Could someone have taken a low SN#, and added a 1 to it ??? That would make the entire rifle a hump job.
Chris

[Chaz]

My Sporter, 1 344164, has a similar spacing between 1 and 344...

[Mike D]

What doesn't look right is the way the SN is stamped. The 1 isn't spaced the same as the rest of the numbers, the depth of the stamp and the font are off. I can't imagine Springfield doing this kind of a job on the SN, guess to tell for sure you would need to look closely at the SN on another rifle in that range. Could someone have taken a low SN#, and added a 1 to it ??? That would make the entire rifle a hump job.
Chris

Try and imagine each one of the serial #'s with the same size rectangular outline surrounding it.

Mike

[Chris W.]

OK, I buy that, but the font is still off. The 1 is like a l, no top or base to it ?? Can't imagine Springfield using a l instead of a 1. Sure could be though.
Chris

[PhillipM]

OK, I buy that, but the font is still off. The 1 is like a l, no top or base to it ?? Can't imagine Springfield using a l instead of a 1. Sure could be though.
Chris

It's right as it can be. The "1" is deeper due to the same force applied to the 1 as any of the other letters. Since the 1 has the least amount of surface area, it gets struck deeper.

Here's a similar situation with the spacing on a photo I found on the net.

http://cdn2.armslist.com/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2010/10/31/65208_02_30_06_springfield_armory_640.jpg

[Chris W.]

More I look at that, it might be right. Look at the 1 in the 1903 above the SN, it doesn't have the top and base either. It would stand to reason that Springfield would use the same in both. Price is sure good on that one, thinking about bidding.
Chris

[Herschel]

Unbelievable scenario. A man finds a low numbered 1903 with the same last six digits as an SRS listed NRA Sporter. He gets a die and stamps a one prefix to the existing serial number to make it match the SRS listed Sporter number. Then he gets correct barrel, rear sight, stock and barrel band to create the fake NRA Sporter. He then assembles them into a complete rifle and applies a rust blue finish that matches the original NRA Sporter finish. What are the odds that this could have been done? I would say virtually impossible. The subject rifle is legit. Too bad about the scope block holes that I think are aftermarket work.

[Promo]

Any opinions on the M1903 "star gauged" rifle he also offers for auction?

[Rick the Librarian]

Mismatched stock and a suspicious serial number engraving on the bolt. No thanks.

[dokcop]

Probably stating the obvious, but don't the rather crudely drilled holes on the receiver and barrel more or less eliminate this rifle from serious consideration as a collectible?

[Ed Byrns]

Springfield Sporters are like old Corvettes,they were played with a lot till they were found in 2014.
Yes,the stock is not original,nor the front sight.
But the rifle is otherwise solid and an excellent "HIT".
When bought,it was the original owners a prized possession,
and I believe the new owner will also consider it a Prized possession.
Respectfully
Ed Byrns

[jgaynor]

Probably stating the obvious, but don't the rather crudely drilled holes on the receiver and barrel more or less eliminate this rifle from serious consideration as a collectible?

What about the holes looks crude? They look Ok to me. Would be nicer if the blocks were still installed but hey,

Regsrds,
Jim

[Herschel]

Ed, How can you tell the stock is not original? It is a correct NRA Sporter stock as best I can tell. The buttplate is a little proud of the stock, which means the stock has probably been shortened a little bit. The aftermarket front sight can be easily and cheaply replaced with a correct 1903 sight. This one looks like it might go at a bargain price. I have several NRA Sporters in my collection with greater modifications than the subject rifle has. I would not take $1,000.00 for the worst of them.

[Ed Byrns]

Herschel
The cut out for the #48 was not done at SA.
It is probably a replacement that was not done professionally.
Ed

[Emri]

What about the holes looks crude? They look Ok to me. Would be nicer if the blocks were still installed but hey,

Regsrds,
Jim


They look OK to me too. On the receiver they are in the correct place. If one looks at the start of the threads and wonders about the up-turned metal around the holes, that is normal. It occurs from repeated over tightening of the screws that causes the female threads to "pull". Hope my explanation makes sense, I've seen it on hundreds of rifles from old to near new.

I checked the auction this morning as I had it on my "watch" list. Looks like the rifle went for about $1400/1500. Did anyone here bid or win it ??


FWIW,

Emri

[EriCal]

M2 and NRA Sporters. The bottom has a 'speed striker' and reversed safety. I paid $5700 for it about 3 years ago. The other Sporter is not original. It had a sight dovetail milled into the barrel that has been filled and trimmed, gun reblued. I paid about $1200. All three are excellent cond.http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/RubEric/IMG_0813.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/RubEric/media/IMG_0813.jpg.html)