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the first thing is to read the serial number and make sure its safe, unless you want a wallhanger then it doesnt matter..the second thing is many were rebarrlled for the big deuce as wartime rifles were short in supply so alot of older 03's and 03a3's were rearsenalled and put on active duty with the troopys to the underground even tho some of the low numbered recievers also got put in action too,have ta remember war is war and a rifles a rifle as far as the army see's fit etc and so on and so on.before buying take a pencil, write the serial number down, and the barrel date then get on a comp ,go to http://oldguns.net/ and scroll down and find out what year the reciever was made by simply typing in your reciever serial #,, then match the date on the barrel to the reciever,my barrel is a 9-43 and in mint shape but it is NOT ORIGINALLY the barrel it came with ,detract $$ for that as a collectors rifle,these can be found in a few very good springfield books wrote for the serious collector, also if its a full combat stock,look for the correct cartouches on the stock for that year, you will need the books on these to find the correct ones for the right years if you are looking at a collecters piece for a high amount of cash,i see too many reworks with mismatched stocks,bolts barrels etc selling for outrageous money these days being touted as all original by people like that, you dang well should be aware of them as they do not care over your safety shooting them and a dollar is a dollar and thats that in theyre eyes.in the books also look up the correct bolt markings to match off against the reciever too for its year,we want that to be original too.a shooter 03 or 03a3 with mismatched stuff is ok but dont pay more than 250-300$ unless its very clean and the bore is in fine shape with the rest of it etc. at the most,one man recently got suckered at a gunshow for 1200$ for a mismatch after he was bulled on its authenticity as being 100% originall and all the bs on top it took to sell it to him,i know where i wouldve put it after i found out and that guy wouldve been walking alot funnier now.some places like siltech.com and murvival enterprises are selling completely reasenaled,re parked ones for 750$ and up.ya think theyre in the correct config and matched off right? no way.parts is parts man,buyer beware.so do your homework when getting yourself an 03 or 03a3, it pays off, check the pawn shops and gun shops.most can be had from 150-450 $ depending if its original or a wallhanger or a sporter.if i took my springfield and stuffed an aftermarket gi stock on it after removing the fine bishop monte carlo walnut sporter stock i know i could get the 450$ easily at least as its early safe number is desirable to own even if its a rearsenal job from ww2 just on that 1918 built reciever alone being ww1 built year.if its a complete correct rifle all marks and stamps right for its being,look at blowing 450-500 $ or more on rough condition.never buy one at a gun show as thats a meat rack with a price waiting to happen.anyhow hope this helped. |
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