Military Surplus rifles thread.

[Phauxtoe]

i really only want one -
.30 carbine

 

[carpediem]

I have an original Smith-Corona in 99% condition. The other guy talking about brittle receivers is incorrect. Only very early Springfield and Rock Island rifles have that problem. I have an early Springfield that had the double heat treat and it has fired several thousand rounds and is still in one piece. If you want to get some info about 03"s, get the Brophy book, it covers everything. I am a little surprised how much the value of surplus rifles has increased in the last few years.

Since these rifles were not something I had done much research on, and heard from someone who I considered reliable this condition existed, I never really looked into it at all. Turns out he, and I by extension, were wrong. As Plater1 said only the early production rifles had some issues. Between July and December 1917, eleven receivers shattered in service. I have included a link to the paper written by a Joseph L. Lyon. He breaks it down real well and has put to rest the concerns for me.
Information On M1903 Receiver Failures

 

[Snappo]

Since these rifles were not something I had done much research on, and heard from someone who I considered reliable this condition existed, I never really looked into it at all. Turns out he, and I by extension, were wrong. As Plater1 said only the early production rifles had some issues. Between July and December 1917, eleven receivers shattered in service. I have included a link to the paper written by a Joseph L. Lyon. He breaks it down real well and has put to rest the concerns for me.
Information On M1903 Receiver Failures

I think most of the 1903A3's that CMP sells were manufactured more in like the early 1940's. Smith Corona in particular was doing it as a sub contract to Remington so they could produce more in a hurry for WW II. Remington is of course in Ilion; but Smith Corona was up the road in Syracuse. Those were all made in like 1942 and beyond - maybe until about 1944? So if you snag an 03A3, don't worry about anything bad that happened at the end of WW I (1917).

 

[Snappo]

i really only want one -
.30 carbine

I just sold all of mine. You can probably snag those at Camp Perry, I would think. I bought four at Fort Anniston. Dirt cheap - maybe $200 or so each. In WW II the story is that the soldiers would throw them on the ground and pick up an M1 Garand if a soldier with one was shot. Nobody wanted the carbine because it was as worthless as the Manlicher Carcano 6.5.

 

[carpediem]

I just sold all of mine. You can probably snag those at Camp Perry, I would think. I bought four at Fort Anniston. Dirt cheap - maybe $200 or so each. In WW II the story is that the soldiers would throw them on the ground and pick up an M1 Garand if a soldier with one was shot. Nobody wanted the carbine because it was as worthless as the Manlicher Carcano 6.5.

I would take that Garand you have if you get tired of it!!

 

[Snappo]

I would take that Garand you have if you get tired of it!!

I'll never sell that rifle for any price. My favorite open-iron rifle; even more than the 303 british.

 

[Snappo]

I would take that Garand you have if you get tired of it!!

I could probably be convinced to sell the Gewehr-43. I just will probably never shoot it because it's just too perfect. It's museum quality and extremely rare. Only a few came from the factory she came from (DUV). While it's not a fire sale and not "Free to good home", I have about $4,800 into it and would part with it if the offer was right.

 

[Robin]

That, is a beauty Snappo!!!
Robin

 

[Snappo]

That, is a beauty Snappo!!!
Robin

Thanks Robin!

First I had to trade a SOCOM-II for the base unit. Then I bought the sniper mount; but ended up buying it 3 times. First two times I got repro units (I think from Sarco?) but they never fit perfect. So eventually I coughed up and bought an actual one. Then I got a Zeiss ZF4 rebuilt/reconditioned since perfect vintage ones were total sticker shock (like $2K for a perfect one from 1944). Then I had a leather company inn Germany send me scope caps and a new sling.

I have seen a lot of abused (or at least way more used) ones on Gun Broker and Guns America for between $4K and $4.5K. This one has never been fired or used. This one is something that you put in a case on a wall.

 

[carpediem]

I could probably be convinced to sell the Gewehr-43. I just will probably never shoot it because it's just too perfect. It's museum quality and extremely rare. Only a few came from the factory she came from (DUV). While it's not a fire sale and not "Free to good home", I have about $4,800 into it and would part with it if the offer was right.

The things you see for sale when you don't have the coin. It is a dream to have one of those. Beautiful rifle and an impressive grouping you have there!