4 digit story

[sfdgunny]

An old friend brought me a Springfield 1903 to sell for him. Cabela's wouldn't take it because it was a "low-number"!

2107

He bought it from "the NRA" back around 1957 and did what any good cash-strapped Bible School student would do with a 1903 - he sporterized it!! (Nicely)

So, other than the 2107 on the receiver, it has an SA 8-19 barrel, SA GAW cut down straight stock with grooves, 03-A3 trigger guard, R marked bolt parts and NS bolt body. The rear sight collar is on it, but filed down, and a Redfield peep D&T'ed on the right side of the receiver. It has a nice Boyt '43 sling on it with both keepers.

I'll post pics later. A nice sporterized WWII rebuild that's been at home in the closet and hunting camp for the last 56 years.

Sad, but a cool story. I can't decide whether to keep it (pay him for it), part it out, re-militarize it, or just sell it.

How much interest do you think a drilled 4 digit receiver would generate?

Stand by for pics.

Jeff

[Parashooter]

How much interest do you think a drilled 4 digit receiver would generate?

Zero to none?

[Rick the Librarian]

It depends on the quality of the sporterizing job, but unfortunately, I would probably agree with Parashooter. Maybe $100-250, at most. The sling, if not cracked or damaged, might bring @ $100-125.

[Mike D]

I specifically sought a low #, already drilled and tapped for a Lyman, to build my .22. So, if you have a Numrich kit lying around...

Mike

[sfdgunny]

Very cool .22! That's kinda what I thought. What is the part inside the mag well in this pic. It is broken and fell out when I disassembled it, but I don't recall ever seeing it before.
Thanks all

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[Kurt]

That part is called a ''bolt stop". It's function was to hold the bolt open with friction when the rifle was pointed down. It engaged a detent on the bottom of the left locking lug providing just enough friction to keep the bolt from falling forward. Most were removed at some point and not replaced. You'll often find them still on original Springfield's and Rock Islands and occasionally on the old sporterized rifles built off those.

Kurt

[Rick the Librarian]

Bolt stops are also found on early Remington M1903s.

[Jon Field]

I have a 1942 Remington with one installed!

[dave]

As the NRA once said, "if it is not #1 low numbers mean little to value". I once owned one in the 9000 range and a LGS has a collection for sale of low numbers SA's and RIA, maybe 20 rifles in all. They were supposed to be destroyed? Haha.

[Rick the Librarian]

I would beg to differ with the NRA (although I can guess under what context the statement was made) - some of my most expensive M1903s are low numbered ones.

Keep in mind that only those LN rifles sent in for major arsenal overhaul had the receivers destroyed and that only from 1927-1941.

[holdover]

I make all low # 03s that come my way, that aren't correct and in as issued military conif. into 22s. Those that are correct are kept that way but will never be fired by me, usually I pass them on to collectors who will not fire them either. As to your rifle here is what i would do, the 03 action would be a 22 by this evening, it is raining out and I need a project to get me off the computer, the barrel would be put into a select drill rifle receiver that was picked because of very small welds and be make into a sporter either with mil sights or a scope. the way it sits, not counting the sling it would be worth about 100-150 to me, depending the condition of the barrel.

[Kurt]

Bolt stops are also found on early Remington M1903s.

Right you are Rick, forgot to mention those. Jon, yours must be an early 42.

Kurt

[sfdgunny]

As always; a wealth of information. Thanks everyone! Jeff