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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 465 |
ouch. That view of the open action is painful and the barrel sight is just plum ugly on this rifle. It looks like a squirrel did the inletting for the bolt handle with its teeth.
Jerry Liles
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
John, You said what I feel but you said it better. When this rifle first crossed my radar I tried to get it into the hands of someone who understands what it is. Because of the what the owner feels the worth of this is I'm not sure it will ever sell. I've got more restoration projects on my list now than I'll ever get done. I just can't get past the caliber on this one. The first year G&H only chambered in a few calibers and the only way to save the barrel would be to sleeve it. All the holes could be welded up and the Griffin bolt knob could be moved to another bolt. Like I said before this rifle is for someone who can do the work themselves.
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
The G&H floorplate above is from this rifle. I am the second owner, the original owner sent it back to G&H for a scope mounting, front sight and reblue circa 1927. 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 231
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 231 |
I applaud your idealism but I believe the economic realities of this area of gun collecting and the cost of just "one" such restoration project, will quickly illustrate my point to you. Those of us who have been doing this many years and have spent untold amounts of money [as our wives constantly remind us] are always glad to have collectors such as yourself, who are obviously willing to take on projects such as this that basically entail, jacking the old rifle up and driving a new one up under it. Since these rifles are in some ways supposed to reflect "investments" of sorts, I could not carry on this hobby very long, if every rifle I bought ended up costing me twice or thrice what it is worth. I am not advocating this wonderful pastime be reduced to the bottom line alone, however neither can it be ignored when making decisions on these wonderful old works of art, in a marketplace where I have paid well over $300 just for a 4oz. pristine, new in the box LYMAN 1A WINDGAUGE COCKING PIECE SIGHT for a 1903 Springfield. I believe most of the experienced collectors out there while maybe not agreeing 100% with me, have most likely arrived at about the same place as me, on this issue. I wish you luck and warmest regards, however you decide to collect these wonderful old rifles. Jerry
The Sons of Alvin Linden
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604 Likes: 29
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604 Likes: 29 |
I applaud your idealism but I believe the economic realities of this area of gun collecting and the cost of just "one" such restoration project, will quickly illustrate my point to you. Those of us who have been doing this many years and have spent untold amounts of money [as our wives constantly remind us] are always glad to have collectors such as yourself, who are obviously willing to take on projects such as this that basically entail, jacking the old rifle up and driving a new one up under it. Since these rifles are in some ways supposed to reflect "investments" of sorts, I could not carry on this hobby very long, if every rifle I bought ended up costing me twice or thrice what it is worth. I am not advocating this wonderful pastime be reduced to the bottom line alone, however neither can it be ignored when making decisions on these wonderful old works of art, in a marketplace where I have paid well over $300 just for a 4oz. pristine, new in the box LYMAN 1A WINDGAUGE COCKING PIECE SIGHT for a 1903 Springfield. I believe most of the experienced collectors out there while maybe not agreeing 100% with me, have most likely arrived at about the same place as me, on this issue. I wish you luck and warmest regards, however you decide to collect these wonderful old rifles. Jerry Believe me, I do not disagree with anything you have said. Go out and commission a $10,000 custom rifle today from one of the top makers and you will loose 50% the day you bring it home. Heck we all got to have a hobby, sure is more fun than spending it on a boat. Also, I want to be able to enjoy these things without having to wait until people like Michael, yourself, and my dad are gone. All that being said, I do not know what the reserve price is on the rifle in question, but it would have to be not much more than the starting price for it to be even make a little sense. John
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,912 Likes: 215
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,912 Likes: 215 |
I'd also hate to see that one go any further down Bubba lane.
I agree with gasgunner in that if the reserve wasn't much more than the starting price, it may be a good one to invest some time into.
Definetly a project for the person who does the work him/herself.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,429 Likes: 35
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,429 Likes: 35 |
gasgunner John,
Believe me us gunsmithy types love you guys because you want it right, are willing to pay for it, and appreciate the transformation after the fact. I truly enjoy doing quality restoration, but there are not so many willing to pay the hundreds, if not thousands, it takes to get it right. One of the problems is, when I get done, you can't really tell I worked on it.
I enjoy MIchael's do it yourself approach, and particularly his patience in getting it right. These are the only ways screwed up guns get returned to normal.
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 231 |
John: I roger your sentiments on us older collectors. In fact I don't envy younger collectors such as yourself. Michael and I were just talking on the phone last month and recalling how we used to buy rifles for anywhere from $275 up, to the then outrageous price of $750 for rifles that we now routinely see priced at $4500-$6500. In fact I have bought rifles in the past, that the scopes on them could not be replaced in today's market, for what I paid for the whole rifle with scope originally. I guess that is why I made the point I did. The gentleman who does my bluing charged $35 a rifle for beautiful work when we started together 37 years ago, now that is what he charges me when I send a 1903 Springfield floorplate...not triggerguard, off an N.R.A. Sporter. I'm afraid the "Golden Age" of collecting these beautiful things has passed, but the great news is there are still plenty around and as the older collectors "Cross the Bar" many will reenter the market through estates,inheritances etc. albeit at much greater prices than we ol' timers paid in the 60's... 70's and 80's. Warmest Regards Jerry
The Sons of Alvin Linden
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,153 |
Back in the '60s I bought many a Colt Government Model for $20 and many a Colt SA for $100, and the best engraved G&H 1903s were less than $1000. I bought a nice Rigby Magnum Mauser with Rigby scope in original Rigby case for $1000, a 500/450 Magnum Nitro H&H double for $1000 and a Hubertus vierling for the same $1000.
At about the same time I bought a new Chevy with 396 engine for $2800, window sticker was $3100, a new Volkwagen Beetle was $1700 and I was earning a whopping $2.50/hr.
My point is, it's all relative and the relative values are still in about the same order as they were back then, it's only that the 1960s dollar is now worth about a dime.
Regards, Joe
You can lead a man to logic but you can't make him think. NRA Life since 1976. God bless America!
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