The nickle steel M1903's are perhaps the best as nickel steel has a higher yield and more elasticity than the plain carbon steels used in any of the double heat treat or single heat treat receivers. Below those serial numbers are the single heat treat receivers, receivers so variable in quality, so structurally weak, that in 1927 an Army board recommended scrapping them all. If you are looking for a M1903 only look at Springfield Receivers above 800,000 and Rock Island Receivers over 285, 507. Those would be worth far more than a rebuild, though an Arsenal rebuild is a perfectly fine rifle. Very few M1903's are all original as from the factory. So, how are the 1903s as shooters, is $949 a fair price for a pristine rifle and should I have taken that Springfield home today? Now I think I'll be dreaming about the 1903. Even though I have a few Garands, I don't know much about the 1903s and didn't want to make an impulse purchase. I hemmed and hawed about the Springfield for a long time before finally walking away. There were several more at the show in the $700+ range that looked like they went through, well, the war! In short, they were both the best-looking 1903s I've ever seen. The Remington was going for about $900 and the Springfield for $949. I went so far as to get a bore light and the barrel looked good, although a little dirty. They both appeared to have been reparkerized and with newer stocks. I wasn't planning on buying anything today, until I stumbled on two Remington and Springfield 1903s next to each other. Despite the laughably high prices for guns and ammo, it's an excuse to meet my cousin for lunch. Today I went to a gun show we visit periodically.
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January 2023
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