1911 NRA 1903, really nice

[Fred]

I'm Very jealous and am Coveting your rifle!
I recall seeing an image of that oiler. Was this rifle listed on Gun broker or guns international?
I've got to ask you, what did you have to pay for it???

[cplnorton]

I'm not sure if it was ever listed on any of the gun sites. I saw it on Facebook. I am a member of a group of militaria that people post WTS ads. Most of it posted is junk, but they posted this for sale on there. They only posted one or two pics and they weren't the best. I figured it nothing else it was worth what I paid, but I was very pleased when I picked it up at the FFL. It was 10x better looking in person than the pics. In fact, I finally found my Muzzle guage today. It guages a 0 at the Muzzle. I don't know if it was ever fired after it was proofed. It it was, it couldn't have been much. The bore is perfect.

I picked it up for $1500 shipped.

[Fred]

Highway Robbery... That's what it was. You made out like a bandit. Yessiree! My hats off to you!
I'd have paid even more for it.

[Emri]

VERY NICE !!! Thanks for sharing. We never get tired of seeing early rifles.

Emri

[John Beard]

Rick is right. The sales rifles had a higher grade of wood, fit, and finish. The rifles were also star-gauged and targeted.

J.B.

p.s.,

Very Nice rifle! Thanks for sharing!

[m1903rifle]

early NRA Sales rifle???

Here's one that Mr. Beard thought had a good chance of being a very early NRA Sales rifle.

[StockDoc]

Wow! Congratulation on some nice rifles. Both look right out of a time machine.

[LAH]

1911 NRA Sales 1903

Here's another one..... SA 7 - 11 Barrel .... about a 186 older than yours Cplnorton

[cplnorton]

It just blows my mind these exist. Especially in this condition. It's really hard to believe they are 103 years old. I mean when they were made, most people still traveled by horse and buggy. It just really makes you think.

[Rick the Librarian]

When I first started collecting M1903s, I had the idea that pre-WWI M1903s in original condition were very rare. There sure have been a lot of them coming out of the woodwork. Of course, I think that NRA Sales rifles are the most common "original" M1903s. I think in many cases, they were put into a closet after being used a little.

They sure are "purty"!

[cplnorton]

I wonder how many still exist? Has anyone kept track of the serials of the NRA's?

[Rick the Librarian]

I believe John Beard has a list - obviously, I'm sure he would admit it is FAR from all-inclusive.

[Fred]

Darnnit guys, now I have to get one for myself!

[Chaz]

1915 NRA: sn 617398, and in similar condition to those pictured above.

[John Beard]

I believe John Beard has a list - obviously, I'm sure he would admit it is FAR from all-inclusive.

I do indeed have a list of known sales rifles. A statistical analysis shows that it contains about 7% of the rifles originally sold. I express my gratitude to those many who took time to make contributions.

J.B.