Originally Posted By: BrentD
I hate to ask this question, but I'm going to do it anyway. It might actually matter one day, if you guys keep posting these sorts of pictures.

I know nothing about bolt rifles. I'm a single-shot guy through and through. But just suppose I was to walk through a gun show in two weeks time and see an 03 that has been sporterized. Perhaps by some unknown person. Nothing fancy, just tastefully done with a nice receiver sight and ordinary checkering, unengraved, etc. Are these $500 rifles? $1000 rifles? $2000 rifles? I really haven't a clue. I'm sure that many those on this board are running at much taller prices, but I'm not going to leap for the creme-de-la-creme.

I'm not a collector, I am a shooter who simply appreciates old rifles. And maybe someday I'll appreciate old bolt rifles enough to buy one, but when that will happen, might depend on how much the cost, more or less.

It could happen - I've even thought of buying a black rifle once or twice. Then I got over it and bought another single shot. A sporterized 03 at the right time, place and price would have a lot better chance of taking me down. smile


Tough question and one I don't like to answer, I try to stay away from values on here.

Once a good rifle gets into the hands of an individual who is knowledgeable about the maker the price is always high. Even with someone who does not know these will recognize a name like Griffin & Howe and the price will be high, normally when it first enters the market it's well over retail. Some are just plain crazy when it come to price, this is a good example, Rifle for Sale he started out at around 20K. Plus it's not even a Hoffman.


For a person looking for bargain or value for their money the unknowns or the known but not marked are the best value and often can be had for less than a $1000. A Wundhammer was at auction last year and only one person beside myself saw what it was. If you go to a lot of gunshows you will, sooner or later run a cross a nice rifle for a good price. Many call me when they find something and I'll try to help if possible, pictures always help.

MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014