Armory Sponsor
Posted: 8/12/2012 12:30:35 PM EDT
| Recently bought a M1903 and much to my surprise there was a spare parts kit in the buttstock. The seller didn't mention anything about it, so I suspect he never looked. Anyone know how "rare" these really are and maybe an idea of it's value? |
| Pretty rare. You should look and make sure it does not look newer as the last one was made in 1924 or so. It should be made of maple if it does not fit that description it is most likely a repo. As to value I have a 4 digit number in my head but I can not honestly remember the last time I saw one for sale or what its price was as they are that rare. |
| The "Spare Parts Container" is a wooden cylinder configured to hold a spare striker, firing pin assembly and extractor. There is a notch in the butt stock for these to fit. Adopted in 1911 and made through 1917. The vast majority were made from walnut although a few other types of wood was approved. There were well made repros made in the 1980's and are fairly commonly found. Originals are very rare as very few have survived. |
|
Quoted:
Does anyone know of a way to determine if one is original or a repo? Receiver on the M1903 is dated to 1934 with a replacement barrel 12-41. http://s1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj634/dps8204/ Does the wood look a hundred years old or thirty years old? From it's condition I would say it's a repro. |
| The striker and cocking piece are marked with an "R" probably for an 03A3. The extractor has no marking and the small hole in one end for an 03. I removed the buttplate (smooth, no marking), and it has the extra "lightning" hole filled with grease. There is a small stamped "24" in the wood. |
Armory Sponsor