Little advice, please.

[Ed Buie]

I know it is easy to spend someone else's money so here is your chance. I have spotted two 03A3's while visiting in northern Virginia. First is a Remington with a 3.3 million serial and a 5-44 barrel. Excellent condition to the point it could be unfired. The rear sight elevation slide may not have been moved. Metal finish is fine. Wood is in good shape with cartouches and other markings clearly visible. Next to the Rem in the rack is a Smith Corona with a 1943 barrel. I didn't write down the serial number or month. Quite a bit more wear on the SC but the bore is good. Wood shows much more wear but markings are visible.

Now for the good part. The Rem is $900 and the SC is $700. I am an accumulator rather than a strict collector. The prices asked for the few 03A3's on Gunbroker indicate that these prices are not totally out of line.

This is not much information but comments would be appreciated.

[chuckindenver]

Remington has a replacement barrel.
both priced are a bit on the steep side from what you discribe.
id search another avenue.

[Liam]

Personally, since I am not a "collector," I like the dings on my rifles to have been put there by ME! A newish Remington very much as issued sounds fantastic. Now, someone should speak for the "collector" side.

[Emri]

The Remington has a replacement barrel. Try for the SC if it is in original condition. Offer cash and try to beat down the price some.

Good Luck!

Emri

[Jeff L]

This is a down economy. You'll notice the guns priced too high on GB have no bids on them. I've noticed SC are always cheaper than other 03s at gun shows. I agree, waving cash around will make the seller more flexible. Play hard to get, "I'm looking at a similar rifle from ..., for a lot less".

-Jeff L

[Sako]

Jeff is right, most GB asking prices are way to high. I like to go into the completed auction link on gunbroker and see what sold and what it sold for. I just did this on the 1903 and out of the first one hundred ended auctions on 1903's only 6 actualy sold and for a average of $555 each.