Appraisal Advice (Evaluation Advice)

I am looking for an expert to evaluate a Springfield RIA 1903 30.06. North Metroplex. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

If you want a very precise value estimate and description of its configuration, you will do no better than the CMP forum.

If you want a very coarse, inaccurate professional opinion on paper for an insurance company, you will likely need to pay some hack gunsmith to print something for you.

The quick an dirty way to value it would be to search gunbroker. Determine what you have, then search the completed listings. These figures tend to be the highest that market will bear.

All that said... an 1903 or 1903mk1 in their best shooter forms rarely bring more than $500. If it's a Rock Island from the "bad heat treat s/n range", it should be considered a wall hanger at no more than $300. If it is a drill rifle (plugged barrel, welded safety etc), it is just parts for $100 or so. There are of course exceptions, you will get the best estimate by getting excellent macro photos of every mftr mark, and stock cartouche, and posting on CMP.

OK, appraisal was not the right word. I'm looking for someone to look at the rifle and evaluate it. It is an RIA. The serial number is in the 332,000. It was in the last year made (1919 I believe). So, it's past the "bad heat treat". It does shoot (I've shot it). It has been "sporterized" (if that's the right word, or even a word). I'm kinda looking for someone with better knowledge than me to look at the rifle and give advise on what to do with it. Use it as is, try to restore to military type issue.....etc. Hopefully this helps.

I am affraid most of the time you'll end up spending $750 on parts for a gun to recover a sporter into it's original config. You can certainly cut corners with re-pop parts, but the end value will also have diminished value. Then you end up with a $400-500 gun as a whole. If the gun has been drilled for scope mounts it'll never be worth much more than a sporter.

The only exceptions would be if it were a very special sporter built by a notorable gunsmith.

If the gun has special meaning to you, it may be worth it to restore. If you're just looking to have an old 03, you'd most likely be better off selling it and buying a complete gun. There are a lot on the market. If you hit up the CMP board, there's always a few for sale. If you're looking for a big project, turning it into a USMC model 1941 replica would be a fun (and expensive).

Thanks beech96w. Anybody else have any thoughts?