Need help with 1903

kingjohndeere · 01-20-2008, 02:24 PM

I just got a 1903 springfield when my father passed away and don't know much about them. It is an 1903 sn: 8205xx. Looks to be in good shape. Don't know if it is safe to shoot or not and befor I do looking for some advise. How can I figure out when it was made? What is it worth?

trajan1968 · 01-20-2008, 07:57 PM

Serial numbers can be traced here here: U.S. Military Firearms Manufacture Dates Based on the number, it seems it was made in 1918 (assuming it is a Springfield). The barrels are also dated, behind the front sight, usually the month-year; so 11-18 would be November 1918. The dates don't always match exactly, even if the gun is intact.

After the war, a lot of them were arsenal refits, and may not have the original stock, or barrel, etc. Worth? Lots of variables, condition, all parts match, etc. I would say $350-800. That's a wide range, but don't have a lot of into.

Safe to shoot? Take it to a local gunsmith and let them look at it.

kingjohndeere · 01-21-2008, 05:28 PM

here are some pics

Mooseman684 · 01-21-2008, 08:52 PM

Your gun looks to be all original with a double heat treated receiver...Value may be as high as 1000.00 for that early 6 digit over 800,000 !!! If it didn't have the Benicia Arsenal rework stamp, it would have been worth over 3500.00
Rich

texnmidwest · 01-21-2008, 09:20 PM

Very nice 03! I love those old rifles. I look at that rifle and can't help but think that that is the model my grandfather carried in WW1. He thought very highly of the 03.

kingjohndeere · 01-23-2008, 07:43 AM

Relooked the barrel last night and between the front sight and the front barrel band there is the ordinance symbol as well as the date 2-18. I assume that this is the manufacture date, Feb 1918. Is there somewhere that I can look to find what part # should be original? The other question that i have is there is a small spring on the under side of the receiver that doesn't appear to do anything. I have to find a new on the old was broken and I don't know how important it is. Here is a picture of the broken part.

M14man · 01-23-2008, 04:28 PM

It's a to help hold the bolt open, and prevent it from sliding foward due to gravity. This part was eliminated in most WW2 03's.Not a necessary part.

billy · 01-23-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingjohndeere

Relooked the barrel last night and between the front sight and the front barrel band there is the ordinance symbol as well as the date 2-18. I assume that this is the manufacture date, Feb 1918. Is there somewhere that I can look to find what part # should be original? The other question that i have is there is a small spring on the under side of the receiver that doesn't appear to do anything. I have to find a new on the old was broken and I don't know how important it is. Here is a picture of the broken part.

thats a picture?

kingjohndeere · 01-23-2008, 06:16 PM

billy, that is a picture, sort of. I Scanned it and didn't pay attention to the size so it looks funny. sorry bout that.

billy · 01-23-2008, 07:21 PM

i was just teasin....
but that is one vague pic!

i thought it was like a rorshach test or something.

M14man · 01-23-2008, 08:24 PM

When I opened it, it was magnified 900%. I shrunk it down to recognize the part.

kingjohndeere · 01-23-2008, 08:29 PM

I found this with out much trouble. There is a shop here in the dallas that has just about every old part you can imagine. I went in and showed him the broke part and he came back with a good one about 2 seconds later. Cost me a $1.

Mike5thgrp · 01-31-2008, 09:35 PM

I have a A303 with long bayonet , scabbard, fired 20 times in excellent condition, with original strap. I do not intend to sell it since my Dad stole it from the army many years ago. Actually he brought it home after they replaced the one he used as a sniper in WWII. However, my attorney wants me to place a value on it for my estate. My time in VN allowed me to bring back no such weapons. I did have a Greener shotgun that I would like to replace, but then we all want things.

M14man · 02-01-2008, 12:58 AM

Mike5, seeing a photo as to the condition would help. If as you descibed,$650 and $200 more for the bayonet.

Mike5thgrp · 02-01-2008, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the help, she is in fine condition with all original parts and fully parkerized. I have a lowered cocking handle bolt for a scope but have not, and probably will not, mount a scope. She will still hit a target at 500 yards so why use a scope.
Thanks,
Mike

Richard Griffin · 02-15-2008, 09:40 PM

Hello all !! new man on the block, just listen and learn..have an interest and own 03's..glad to be here...

sunray · 02-17-2008, 09:50 PM

"...Serial numbers can be traced here..." Not free anymore. The guy who had the site retired and the new operators went to a 'for money' basis.
Your rifle is a high S/N 1903. That means it's safe to shoot.
"...long bayonet..." M1905 bayonets in good condition are worth $150 to $200 and up. Don't be playing bayonet fighter with it.

Mooseman684 · 02-17-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunray

"...Serial numbers can be traced here..." Not free anymore. The guy who had the site retired and the new operators went to a 'for money' basis.
Your rifle is a high S/N 1903. That means it's safe to shoot.
"...long bayonet..." M1905 bayonets in good condition are worth $150 to $200 and up. Don't be playing bayonet fighter with it.

I'm calling you on this...I just traced 2 of Mine FREE...Your info is not credible.

01-20-2008, 02:24 PM	#1
kingjohndeere Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0)	Need help with 1903 I just got a 1903 springfield when my father passed away and don't know much about them. It is an 1903 sn: 8205xx. Looks to be in good shape. Don't know if it is safe to shoot or not and befor I do looking for some advise. How can I figure out when it was made? What is it worth?

01-21-2008, 08:52 PM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,191 Trader Rating: (0)	Your gun looks to be all original with a double heat treated receiver...Value may be as high as 1000.00 for that early 6 digit over 800,000 !!! If it didn't have the Benicia Arsenal rework stamp, it would have been worth over 3500.00 Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM! Last edited by Mooseman684; 01-21-2008 at 08:59 PM.

01-21-2008, 09:20 PM	#5
texnmidwest Senior Bear Fluffer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 2,964 Trader Rating: (0)	Very nice 03! I love those old rifles. I look at that rifle and can't help but think that that is the model my grandfather carried in WW1. He thought very highly of the 03. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

01-23-2008, 07:21 PM	#10
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 10,687 Trader Rating: (0)	i was just teasin.... but that is one vague pic! i thought it was like a rorshach test or something. __________________ i'll keep an eye out for ya! Last edited by billy; 01-23-2008 at 07:23 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

02-01-2008, 10:08 AM	#15
Mike5thgrp Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: US Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0)	1903 with big knife Thanks for the help, she is in fine condition with all original parts and fully parkerized. I have a lowered cocking handle bolt for a scope but have not, and probably will not, mount a scope. She will still hit a target at 500 yards so why use a scope. Thanks, Mike

01-20-2008, 07:57 PM	#2
trajan1968 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	Serial numbers can be traced here here: U.S. Military Firearms Manufacture Dates Based on the number, it seems it was made in 1918 (assuming it is a Springfield). The barrels are also dated, behind the front sight, usually the month-year; so 11-18 would be November 1918. The dates don't always match exactly, even if the gun is intact. After the war, a lot of them were arsenal refits, and may not have the original stock, or barrel, etc. Worth? Lots of variables, condition, all parts match, etc. I would say $350-800. That's a wide range, but don't have a lot of into. Safe to shoot? Take it to a local gunsmith and let them look at it.

01-23-2008, 04:28 PM	#7
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 353 Trader Rating: (0)	It's a to help hold the bolt open, and prevent it from sliding foward due to gravity. This part was eliminated in most WW2 03's.Not a necessary part.

01-23-2008, 06:16 PM	#9
kingjohndeere Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0)	billy, that is a picture, sort of. I Scanned it and didn't pay attention to the size so it looks funny. sorry bout that.

01-23-2008, 08:24 PM	#11
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 353 Trader Rating: (0)	When I opened it, it was magnified 900%. I shrunk it down to recognize the part.

01-23-2008, 08:29 PM	#12
kingjohndeere Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0)	I found this with out much trouble. There is a shop here in the dallas that has just about every old part you can imagine. I went in and showed him the broke part and he came back with a good one about 2 seconds later. Cost me a $1.

01-31-2008, 09:35 PM	#13
Mike5thgrp Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: US Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0)	I have a A303 with long bayonet , scabbard, fired 20 times in excellent condition, with original strap. I do not intend to sell it since my Dad stole it from the army many years ago. Actually he brought it home after they replaced the one he used as a sniper in WWII. However, my attorney wants me to place a value on it for my estate. My time in VN allowed me to bring back no such weapons. I did have a Greener shotgun that I would like to replace, but then we all want things.

02-01-2008, 12:58 AM	#14
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 353 Trader Rating: (0)	Mike5, seeing a photo as to the condition would help. If as you descibed,$650 and $200 more for the bayonet.

02-15-2008, 09:40 PM	#16
Richard Griffin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0)	Hello all !! new man on the block, just listen and learn..have an interest and own 03's..glad to be here...

02-17-2008, 09:50 PM	#17
sunray Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 98 Trader Rating: (0)	"...Serial numbers can be traced here..." Not free anymore. The guy who had the site retired and the new operators went to a 'for money' basis. Your rifle is a high S/N 1903. That means it's safe to shoot. "...long bayonet..." M1905 bayonets in good condition are worth $150 to $200 and up. Don't be playing bayonet fighter with it.