1918 Springfield 1903 Value Estimate

My father just gave me my Great Grandfather's Springfield 1903.



From what I can tell, it was mfg in 1918 and is 100% original including both stock pieces.

I am amazed at how well it has stood up over the years.

I haven't even cleaned it yet. This is how it came out of the gun bag it has been stored in for the past 35 years. My father had it vacuum-bagged for storage 20 years ago.

Let me know what you think.

Here are some more pics: http://s976.photobucket.com/albums/ae247/frankmccarthy/ Springfield%201903/

Bump.. Anyone know about these?

that looks like a nice gift,,you do know how to put it back together don't you? And you are going to put it back together aren't you? or do you want a value of it like you see it?,,Wow thats cool that it's been in storage all these years,,

...Assembled and cleaned up I can see it being worth 700-1000,,without getting into the parts details ,,if an original never messed with or parts changed it could go well over 1000 at auction or to a collector ,,I have a friend who in a springfield nut and i know he really looks for original examples,,

...I see some surface rust on it now ,,you should clean it up with some 000 or 0000 steel wool and get a coat of oil on the metal parts ,,I might even try a soft wire wheel on a bench grinder to get some of the metal peices looking nice again,,but you gotta try not to go to far because you will remove the blueing if you get carried away,,You might want to think about haveing it cleaned up professionally,,it would only add to the value if cleaned up some ,,

...Very nice rifle.. one thing to remember the low numbered springfields were said to have soft receivers because of the heat treating that was used and some people say they shouldn't be fired with modern ammo,,but I know guys that will argue that fact but thats something to think about before fireing high pressurd factory loads in it..If you get it back together and cleaned up please show us a pic,,
bigcurt

Thanks for the info.

I'm still not sure about what to do about the rust.

I took it to a guy today that does professional refinishing & repark.

He wanted to blast the whole thing and re-blue or re-park.

I was hesitant, so I brought it home to do more research.

Will re-finishing hurt its vaule to collectors?

Frank

that really depends on the refinishing job,,i wouldn't let anyone fool with it ,,i wish i was closer to ya from what i can see i'd proably just do the wire wheel cleanup i told ya about and you'd be surprised how it would come out i hop i can find a pic i posted awhile back of a rusty peice i showed a guy what a wire would do... hell it took all the rust of and underneith the rust was blueing,,,,,,i think you could proably clean it up yourself as long as ya don't scrub or wire too hard in 1 spot,,if it would come to leaveing it alone or refinishing it ,,theres no doubt i'd just leave it alone,,
bigcurt

I was able to get is all back together with no missing parts!

All I did was give it a good hand wipe w/ Weapon Wipes. I'm sure your "Wheel" technique would bring it out much more.

The action is amazingly smooth & tight.

The bore is perfect and shiny.

Here are some pics:

I have seen them on the rack in some major cahin retailers for $2000. One recently sold from cabels's gun library out of WA for over that