Possible USMC Rebuild

[Ed Byrns]

BU 169 and 1903 Butt stock markings
I have studied them for a very long time and come to the conclusion that they
are US Navy.Sometimes they match small craft and ship numbers before ww2,before the change to a 3 letter code.
BU= ,to me ,Boston University which had a Navy Program before WW2 which emerged into the WW2 ,V7 and V12 programs.
Respectfully submitted
Ed Byrns

[Tdarmo]

Thanks for the information. That will give something to research. I had zero luck before.
Thanks
Tony

[Tdarmo]

Okay one last question. I was thinking of thinning out some of my collection.(to make room for other guns of interest) My problem is I don't know what the value of this rifle would be. I know what it was worth to me. I have never sold anything on the net.(Researching gun Broker today) Usually trade or buy from local collector friends. My friend is trying to talk me into going to the Oaks gun show in PA for a trade or sell. Never been to one. Not sure how that works as far as walking around trying to solicit a sale. I wouldn't mind trading for something of equal value or better.Problem is I need a good starting point to bargain with.
Thanks

[cplnorton]

You would probably have more luck selling online. The problem you have when you go to a show. The guys on the other side of the table are only interested in buying if they can get it cheap, to flip it, and make money.

The other problem you have is, to 99% of the people out there, just think of that as a low number 1903. Not that many know the difference between a Marine 1903 and a regular 1903. And being a low number, many won't touch it.

I think Marine 1903's are down right now too. You used to get over a $1000 pretty easy on anything Marine, but I think it is down.

I honeslty sort of think about the $1000 mark, plus or minus depending on who wanted it, is a realistic number. If I wasn't trying to cut down on having so many Marine 1903's, I might even make a play for it. I love that 3 digit serial. That is neat.

[03collector]

As far as the stamp TENN could that be for the battleship Tennessee?

[ElWoodman]

A three digit USMC RIA?!?!? I'm jealous....Need to change my skivvies! I have seen large strange "P"s on 1)USMC rifles and 2) Greek Return rifles. No last four of sn on the rhs buttstock, so no Greco there .Magxxxxingnificent, pardonnez mon francais.