Why are 1903s so darned expensive?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why are 1903s so darned expensive?

Posted: 8/14/2004 4:16:57 AM EDT

I priced one yesterday for the very first time, and was told that I couldn't find a decent one under $700, and most were a lot more than that. The gunshop owner I was speaking to had one on his wall (the MKI version, built to accept a Pederson Device) for $1600!

I had always kind of figured they would be about the same price as other WWII era bolt guns, i.e. $200 or less. Big surprise for me.

So are they really so rare as to command that price? With the glut of Garands still around, I figured the 03s would be even more prolific. Thanks for any info.

Posted: 8/14/2004 5:03:20 AM EDT

[#1]

I do know it's pretty hard to find one in original condition with all of the sporterizing that went on in the '50s and '60s. Original Mausers can get pricey, too (no import marks and all original). I'm selling an 03A3 in the EE right now, but not much under $700.

Posted: 8/14/2004 5:21:03 AM EDT

[#2]

I purchased a 1903 Springfield from the CMP last year. Cost was $400, rifle cleaned up real nice. These are still available, you might take a look at their website for information.

Posted: 8/14/2004 5:24:07 AM EDT

[#3]

Wow, my grandpa traded off his 03 for next to nothin. A junk .303 british and $100.

Posted: 8/14/2004 5:41:30 AM EDT

[#4]

In a word: klinton

Posted: 8/14/2004 5:48:20 AM EDT

[#5]

Go through the CMP i was at the depot monday and they have THOUSANDS still in stock. They also have Crates full of 03's with the perderson device cuts if you want something different.

Oh yea the finance director at the CMP told us M1 carbines will be coming in sometime in the next 24 months!!!! YIPPPPEEEE

Posted: 8/14/2004 6:30:12 AM EDT

[#6]

I picked one up at the North Store for $400 with a brand new barrel. Still haven't gotten around to cleaning the cosmoline of 'er yet though.

Quoted:
Oh yea the finance director at the CMP told us M1 carbines will be coming in sometime in the next 24 months!!!! YIPPPPEEEE

Wow!

Posted: 8/14/2004 9:54:25 AM EDT

[#7]

CMP? Link?

Posted: 8/14/2004 5:45:26 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
CMP? Link?

www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1903.htm

Posted: 8/16/2004 9:21:25 PM EDT

[#9]

I got my mark1 from the cmp. 400 and really nice.

Posted: 8/17/2004 12:38:20 AM EDT

[#10]

You have to remember that American weapons are not like foreign ones. When the US military discontinues a rifle, M14 for example, they simply don’t just make parts kits and put them on the open market like Europeans and the Chinese do. Rather the weapons are either given to friendly forces (South America-M1's) or are cut up and recycled. This is why no giant surplus of M16 part kits will hit the market; however we can expect to see LA-85s.

Basically what I'm saying is while Enfields and Mausers are on the open market across the world, the Springfields on the other hand we're most likely cut up. The ones that are for sale either were stole, or "give" abroad, then returned state side, ect. They dodge the mills.

In short, 1903s are simply more rare then an Enfield et al.

Posted: 8/17/2004 12:24:01 PM EDT

[#11]

ummm no.

American rifles korean war era and earlier were mostly realeased by the US GOV to the CMP. GArands are plentiful and 1903's are plentiful. i have seen people sporterise them and consider them pretty much old junk. My uncle has 4. all sporterised and changed for different calibers. He told me he used to by them mail order for 30.00 all day long. As a result you don't see many PRISTEENE 1903's anymore. The CMP has TONS of them. I have seen the crates in person.

The M14 introduced select fire to the army rifleman in a battle rifle. Thus NO M14's to civies because once a MG always a MG Bullshit.

Posted: 8/17/2004 12:46:57 PM EDT

[#12]

None the less, if you notice, vintage 1911's, Carbines, Thompsons, Garands ect are all very rare, even more so when you look at the production numbers, 5-6 MILLION Garands and 6-7 MILLION Carbines were produced. They now fetch 1200 a pop and are not the common, compare this to the Mosin's, Kars, Enfields and Swiss things which were not produced is such great numbers, yet are plentiful and cheap. The US military stores or cuts up there weapons. Most M1s found there way to either Asian allies or to South American rebels trying to depose communist goverments. Also, 30 bucks a pop back in 1950-60 is about 300 today.

Posted: 8/17/2004 12:58:12 PM EDT

[#13]

ummm garands are more than plentiful. Visit the CMP sometime.

The US GOV will not sell surplus MG or handguns through civillian chanells any longer. Thus the reason thompsons cost so much. If you think thompsons are scarce visit a MG shoot sometime. Every table on the range will have a thompson on it. The only limitation is the cost.

mike

Posted: 8/17/2004 12:59:28 PM EDT

[#14]

oh yea the CMP will soon have m1 carbines instock again. 30 some thousand coming back in from lend lease over the next 24 months.

Posted: 8/17/2004 7:57:48 PM EDT

[#15]

Any word on pricing of the Carbines?

Posted: 8/17/2004 11:42:55 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
oh yea the CMP will soon have m1 carbines instock again. 30 some thousand coming back in from lend lease over the next 24 months.

This makes me very happy.

Posted: 8/18/2004 5:28:04 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Any word on pricing of the Carbines?

no only because they don't have them yet. Many of these are supposed to be coming from europe and possibly yhe phillipeans according to what i was told. I would imagine they will be comperable to the greek guns condition. There again this is what i was TOLD when we volunteered out there 2 weeks ago.

mike

Posted: 8/19/2004 12:26:30 AM EDT

[#18]

Oh shit!!!

If they get the carbines....

Posted: 8/19/2004 9:08:12 AM EDT

[#19]

Keep in mind the CMP 03's and 03A3's that they have now mostly are returns from the Greeks. Some have been refinished, mis-matched parts, and some are just freaking perfect. I have seen a few at gunshows in the past summer that were Def Greek returns and not worth the $700 tag on them. So buyer beware.

I have a Rock Island 1919 that is origional and a Rem 03a3 1943 with a 4 groove barrel that is pristine.
Both were 50's or 60's NRA / CMP purchased and I picked them up in an estate sale. So you never know what you will find.

Posted: 8/19/2004 9:30:57 AM EDT

[#20]

i counted 5 rows or so of USGI 1903's in crates stacked to the ceiling when we were there. There is no shortage of GOOD 1903's

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why are 1903s so darned expensive?

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