Legitimate NRA?

[rmcnabb]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...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.

[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