Window Shopping

[FatJackDurham]

Had the chance to get to Burlington today for work. Afterwards, I went around to all the gun stores to see what was there. Some very interesting finds.

Chaparrel 1873 Rifle in 45 LC - $600. Beautiful color hardening, and very smooth action, but the wood looked dried out, as if it had never been finished.

Then, a gun I definitely have on my wish list, a 1903 30-06 bolt action. Good looking, but the upper handguard didn't match. $580.

After a recent post on concealed carry guns, I did some reading on compacts, and sub-compacts. Well, I saw a couple of the guns I had read about.

1951 Beretta M418 .25 ACP, $450
1921 Colt M1908 Pocket Hammerless in .25 ACP, about $400, I think.

Both were really cool.

However, all I bought was a used Sonic cleaner and a cleaning rod.

[Pete44ru]

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Regardless of the handguard, that was a VERY good price for the 03 Springfield - provided it wasn't a low numbered rifle ( Under SN800,000 for Springfield Armory and SN286,506 for Rock Island Armory).



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[Hawkeye2]

The handguard shouldn't match. It is a military rifle and intended to be functional, not a show piece. No attempt was ever made to match the wood. 03 handguards were subject to longitudinal splits even with the 2 stamped metal reinforcements and were replaced during the rifle's life when necessary

[FatJackDurham]

It didnt say springfield or rock island. The serial number was about 5,000,000.

I forget what brand it was.

[Stan in SC]

Thing I always felt anout .25acp pistols was that you shoot someone five times with it and when they find out about it they are going to be ticked off at you.

Stan in SC

[FatJackDurham]

Maybe so, but a Colt Pocket Hammerless, made during the prohibition era? I'd like to have that! Great collectible....

[Ray Newman]

"It didnt say springfield or rock island. The serial number was about 5,000,000.
"I forget what brand it was."

--Fat Jack D.

In the 1950's -1960's, Golden Sate Arms/Santa Fe fabricated M1903's from surplus and newly-manufactured parts.

Just prior to WW II, Remington obtained the Rock Isl. Arsenal machinery, gauges, etc., and fabricated M1903 rifles, and later the 1903A3 and the M1903A4 under Government contract. A contract was also awarded to Smith Corona to build M1903A3 rifles.

Here's a link to a site to the Springfield serial number blocks, by contractor and arsenal:

http://www.bowersweapons.com/US%20MODEL ... RANGES.htm

[FatJackDurham]

I went back to see who made it, it was National Ordinance, with a remington barrel.

[Pete44ru]

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There's a WORLD of difference, between a gennie '03 and a National Ordinance 03A3 - $400 is a very srtong price (I wouldn't even buy one).

They are worth the sum of the parts, minus the receiver.

You might want to google the receiver issues on those parts guns.

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=18402



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[Griff]

There's a WORLD of difference, between a gennie '03 and a National Ordinance 03A3 - $400 is a very srtong price (I wouldn't even buy one).
They are worth the sum of the parts, minus the receiver.
You might want to google the receiver issues on those parts guns.
http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=18402
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Thanks for that info Pete. Good to know.