SA 1903A3 ?'s

[titus7]

Hey Guys,
I came across a Springfield 1903A3 30-06 that my brother had left to me and I was wandering if anyone can tell me about them. How to tell if it is worth something or not, how to tell how old it is, and any other info that I can get about it/them. Thanks

 

[nashlaw]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

I do not know if your rifle is worth a great deal, but it is beautiful. I have a 1903 that has been sporterized, but it is nowhere near as nice as yours.

If nothing else, you have a sentimental rifle that will probably shoot well. Take it to the range and enjoy it.

 

[1943m1garand]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

The real experts will need to chime-in but this is my impression. Someone purchased this rifle as surplus from the predecessor of the CMP (I cannot remember the name) and sporterized the rifle with a hunting stock and improved sights. As a general rule rifles that have been transformed in this way are worth far less than a 1903 in issued condition with appropriate markings. Value-wise, $300, perhaps. There is just not a market for these rifles, IMHO. Sorry.

 

[i_Adam_i18]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

It's got a chopped down or aftermarket stock and it looks like it's been refinished, so as far as collectors value, probably not much. Most of them were turned into hunting rifles (like mine) by cutting the stock to lighten it and make it look 'better'. They are great shooters though. I took mine out and put 3 rounds into one ragged hole with the stock iron sights.

 

[titus7]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

Yeah Im hoping to take it out here real soon, I was just kinda seeing what people had to say about them. Should I get anything done to it, if so who would be a good smith to work on it? I was thinking about a scope and a bipod but I dont wanna molest it too much, ya know. Or I was also thinking or wandering if I could get it turned back to all original

 

[ORD]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

Sporterized 1903 (or 1903A3) Springfield rifles generally aren't worth a lot other than in terms of their value to their owners. That doesn't take away from the quality of the action and the potential of the rifle to be a good shooter...just not going to fetch near what an unmolested, original 03A3 will.

 

[treebasher]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

From the pictures it looks like it is a quality sporterization.

I were looking at it to buy I would value the Vaver sight at $100 to $125 and the rifle in the $400 to $500 range due to the quality workmanship. That would put you at $500 to $625 range.

Just my personal opinion, hope it helps.

 

[pepperbelly]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

I can't be sure but it looks like one of the DCM rifles from back in the '60s that was prefessionally sporterized. The finish of the metal shows it was a quality job.
The stock looks like an aftermarket sporter stock, not a cut down sporterized military stock.
Unmolested '03-A3s are selling for around $700.00 in very good original condition. Yours is probably worth about $300.00 so I would just keep it. They are capable of very good accuracy.
It would be a good idea to have the headspace checked. The gunsmith can also tell you if he can drill and tap for a scope. Don't worry about altering it- that has already been taken care of for you.

It is a very nice looking rifle. The high polish over that reblue look great.

Jim

 

[titus7]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

Thanks everyone it is a beautiful rifle not to mention the sentimental value, definately looking forward to putting some rounds through it soon.

 

[bluelightspecial]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

Very nice looking 03. I'd shoot it everynow and then and keep her for the generations to come. While she may have lost her collector value, the sentimental value cant be bought in any market.

 

[i_Adam_i18]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: titus7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah Im hoping to take it out here real soon, I was just kinda seeing what people had to say about them. Should I get anything done to it, if so who would be a good smith to work on it? I was thinking about a scope and a bipod but I dont wanna molest it too much, ya know. Or I was also thinking or wandering if I could get it turned back to all original </div></div>

I personally wouldn't put a scope on it (unless it's already been drilled and tapped of course). Stock, they had iron sights, that's how I like to shoot them. It's more like shooting a piece of history than just another scoped hunting rifle.

 

[treebasher]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WASP7067</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I personally wouldn't put a scope on it (unless it's already been drilled and tapped of course). Stock, they had iron sights, that's how I like to shoot them. It's more like shooting a piece of history than just another scoped hunting rifle.</div></div>

+1

Resist the urge to drill holes in a beautiful rifle...

Enjoy it for what it is, a classic rifle and a fine specimen of vintage gunsmithing.

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

You may even want to look for a "Maker's Mark". For example, R.F. Sedgley made some very nice Sporterized '03's. His mark is an "S" inside a circle. Generally his "Sporter" rifles are more ornate but I believe he would do whatever you wanted. He didn't always put his entire name on them. Sedgley '03's are worth $1000 and up in condition like yours.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

That's one of the prettiest 03's I've seen in a LONG time. You should enjoy it and remember who you got it from and how they would use it.

 

[KClark]

Re: SA 1903A3 ?'s

You have a Springfield 1903 built by Springfield Armory, it is not a 190A3 as no 03A3s were built by Springfield. There were a dozen or so differences between the '03 and 03A3, such as 03s were all milled and all or nearly all '03s were originally polished and blued, 03A3s parked with stamped steel parts.

If you post the serial # range I can tell alot more.

Nice rifle and the Vaver Wittek safe dial sight is for sure from the late 1920s to early 1950s.