Collector's value for an unaltered Mark I?

[Fred]

I know what the current Flayderman's price guide says about what the value should be for an unaltered and original (not put together) 1903 Mark I in Very Good or Excellent condition is, but could anyone Please tell me what they've been noticing what such a rifle has been going for in auctions and sales? I'm not talking about a rifle that's had the wood sanded, over cleaned, metal refinished, the Mark I parts put back on or the Mark I parts missing. I'm talking about an unabused Mark I right out of the woods in attic condition as it came out of the Armory and has never been updated, altered, upgraded during WWII or messed with in any way and still has it's original Mark I parts as well as having the original stock and handguard with its original oil finish (with a few dings and dents from storage) from the day it left Springfield Armory. Thanks guys! Fred

[Emri]

Do you know where one is ?? I've been looking for years and haven't seen one yet. An all original rifle in "as manufactured" condition, while maybe not rare ( unless in near new condition ), could be considered scarce. I would price them on par with other 1903's of the era in similar condition. Some folks seem to think they are worth a premium because they were made for the "secret" Pederson device. Others don't value them as much because they have the extra hole on the left side.

Best advice is to make up your mind what it is worth to YOU. If seller accepts your price and you are comfortable with it, you got it at a "good price". If not then pass it by. Don't let anyone else pressure you because it is a "good buy" and don't pressure yourself into spending more than you want to because you think there will never be another one. Remember, we can't have them all !! (Though the thought of that is kinda nice)

HTH,

Emri

[Premod70]

Although new to the 1903's I would pay the same as a like era and same condition service 1903 which could be substantial in either case.

[Fred]

Thanks Emri, thanks Premod70. I'd be more excited over it (if that's possible) if somebody would soon be making reproduction Pedersen Devices. However, looking at it, it certainly is as initially made and has never had the Pedersen parts taken off and replaced with common 1903 parts. I myself have only seen one other truly unaltered Mark I and that rifle went to and came back from Greece. It returned with the muzzle counterbored so I didn't pay the $250.00 asked for it at the time (this was over 25 years ago). I'm trying to look at this rifle from ten to fifteen years down the road and I can see myself regreting not buying it. It has all of the correct features on the rifle that were being used to assemble 03's at that time, which was very early 1919. Anyway, I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket from selling some other rifles and so I'm thinking that I need to get this one while it's available. I can remember 29 years ago when I sold a cardboard box for $40.00 that contained several smooth buttplates, several early straight handled bolts, several early cocking pieces, several milled rear barrel bands, front barrel bands, firing pins, follower springs and followers, rear sights etc ect. In among the parts were about ten 1903 Mark I triggers with the Mark I sears and also some Mark I spindles and cut off's. Of course the guy at the show didn't argue with me over the price asked. Jeez... looking backwards with 20/20 hind sight eh?

[Premod70]

Mr. Fred, I bought a Mark 1, my first high power rifle, back in the early 70's that was in excellent plus condition for $75 and shot that rifle for a couple of years and boy did it shoot but a guy with a pre-64 Model 70 traded me out of it. As the years went by I toyed with the model 70's and until a couple of years ago had no interest in the 03's but be that as it may today I now lust after another Mark 1 and figure my chances of seeing another rifle similar to my old one is slim at best. I hope you success with your Mark 1, now if I could get as lucky!!

[Fred]

Premod70, thanks! I'm sorta in my second phase of having an interest in 1903's. I lost interest for years when the price for good honest one's got too high for me, but now that I'm retired and married to a wonderful woman who encourages me to pursue my collecting interests, I'm interested again. I used to not think too much of the Mark I's, but after seeing this one still in its original form, I realized how difficult it is to find any 03's now that are in original condition. There are a lot of advertised Mark I's that are just a Mark I action in a later stock and devoid of the original Mark I spindle, cut off, sear/trigger, and stock. What's even neater about this rifle is the obvious fact that the handguard and stock have been with each other from the start. The rear sight knobs are still original and there aren't any WWII updates or stamps on it. I guess that there were some in 1931 that when removed from Govt. storage, didn't have their original Mark I parts replaced with standard 03 parts. Where the heck this rifle hid out all of this time is a mystery. We'll see what happens in a few days. Hopefully, if I don't talk myself out of it, I'll be able to post some pictures on here in a week. It's price is about parr with what such a rifle in such condition is going for right now, but as sure as the turning of the earth, the value of the difficult to find ones in original form will go up. I don't want to regret not getting it for the rest of my hopefully long long life to come.

[Rick the Librarian]

Never underestimate the power of a wonderful woman! Had the same thing happen to me!! Good luck on your quest!

[Nate]

Not that long ago I was offered a Mk1 as discribed above for $2000.00. Couldn't afford it and don't know if I missed out or not.

[Fred]

Appreciate the input Nate. Thanks. That gives me some perspective.

[Randy A]

Post some pics and let the experts evaluate it,,, if truly original, then the price might not be as bad as you think (or maybe so).