|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 5, 2008 22:11:34 GMT -4
My ex-fil moved & in his basement found 3 rifles he didn't want. I took them, they are extremely old though & I have no idea what they are. How can I go about identifying these guns? One is a 22, that I can tell. I don't know what make though.....doesn't say. Only writing on it is "Only long rifle as automatic" and quite a few serial numbers. 2094577 patents 2234758 2223093 RE 22585 227/576 Next one is a Remington, only says US model 1917 298975 - has open sights like I've never seen.......sorry, cannot post pics right now. Last rifle only has the serial number 902023 on it. No writing other than that. Any suggestions to help find out what these are & if they're usable is greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Twowithone on Nov 5, 2008 22:18:05 GMT -4
Take them to a gun shop some one in there would know what make and caliber they are and if their still safe to hunt with.
|
|
|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 5, 2008 22:26:19 GMT -4
Thought about that after I posted.....won't be able to get them anywhere for a bit....still curious what they are. Ones an old military style gun, wouldn't hunt with it, might just clean it up, remove the firing pin & hang it up, it's kinda neat looking.
|
|
|
Post by dknappy on Nov 6, 2008 9:44:56 GMT -4
Anne That Rem 1917 should be an M-1 prob in 30-06. I think you can get on gun broker.com and enter the serial number and findout everything about the guns. If that is infact an M-1 let me know what you are going to due with it.
|
|
|
Post by dknappy on Nov 6, 2008 10:01:16 GMT -4
oops I was wrong, not an M1 style it is a 30-06 bolt action built durring WWI and with that ser # prob built in Pa. I googled it and found several different articles.
|
|
|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 6, 2008 14:38:27 GMT -4
Thanks Don!! I looked that up, it resembles the old Enfields but has a shorter stock. Can't find anything on the other one though. Going to take them in next week to a gun shop & have them looked at. Still looking in the meantime though for info on them.
|
|
|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 6, 2008 20:40:21 GMT -4
OK, I found out what they are through the internet with some help, still taking them to gunsmith to check value & working condition. They all appear to be functional to me & a friend who looked at them.
Gun 1 - Savage 6B 22 semi or auto depending if you use long or shorts
gun 2- Remington Enfield 1917 in 30-06 Mauser action, appears to be all original
gun 3 - US Springfield Armory model 1903 in 30-06, found these priced up to $1400 BUT this gun has been modified some. The forestock has been shortened & a piece that goes over the top removed, I'm sure that will lessen the value of the gun. 105 yrs old though!! Looking at it, it's in great shape for that!!
|
|
|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 6, 2008 20:55:00 GMT -4
|
|
|
Post by frankinthelaurels on Nov 7, 2008 4:41:30 GMT -4
ZODIAK.... the 1917, should be a 30-06..however, lots were shot out and rebarreled or rechambered to other calibers/cartridges...DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT LOADING MODERN 06 CARTRIDGES in it...time, wear and tear, lots of unknowns here..especially for high pressure modern rounds.. what it should be and what it is are two different things... take it to a local gunsmith and they'll make a wax cast of the chamber and then measure and compare the cast... DO NOT SHOOT THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some models of old military rifles are worth a bundle of money, a trip to the PA Gun Collectors show could provide you with some valuable information. Take the other rifles to a gunsmith also, it's just not worth causing yourself a big big problem if your guess is wrong.. the only way to tell what they are for sure is to cast the chamber...a few dollars spent doing this is worth a long stay in the hospital if your wrong... NO ONE KNOWS what happened to these rifles.. do yourself a favor and do the right thing.....
|
|
|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 7, 2008 19:42:08 GMT -4
Thanks Frank, believe me, I ain't shooting them before someone who knows what they're doing does!!!(I'm afraid to) I took them to a gunsmith today, he said he can tell by looking at them they are both still 06's and would look them over & fire them. I want to have another one look them over first though as this one said they're only worth $150 or so for both.....not sure I believe that. He even said they appear to be in very good shape other than needing cleaned up.
|
|
|
Post by blackhawk on Nov 9, 2008 5:26:00 GMT -4
An altered Military Rifle, will depreciate in value, ( considerably )
Enfield, and Mauser are entirely Two different rifles, (Enfield is British) ( Mauser is German )
|
|
|
Post by mrlongbeard on Nov 9, 2008 19:06:09 GMT -4
the Mauser action is worth money to a rifle builder. the 03 was very accurate for it's day. if you plan on selling look around first.
|
|
|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 9, 2008 23:41:44 GMT -4
Tim, I plan on posting pics of them on some Military rifle forums first, I found 2 sites that should prove helpful. I have to get the gunlocks broke off first. My buddy will do that this week.......having a gunsmith test fire them. I read up a great deal on the 03's and want to shoot it myself once I find out if it is safe to. Pretty neat reading. I;d like to shoot both. blackhawk - yes, I realize they aren't worth the same price sporterized as original(as I said in previous post) & they have mauser type actions, they are not mausers, one is an Enfield and one is a Springfield 03. I do know if they are in working order, they are worth more than $75 a piece though.
|
|
|
Post by dennyf on Nov 10, 2008 11:51:44 GMT -4
Sporterized 1917 "Enfields" and 1903s are worth closer to the $300 and up range, if still in good condition. If the only modifications are cut-off stocks, then they may be worth more?
Several manufacturers made the 1917 pattern Enfields, including Remington. They started out chambered in 303 "British" because that's who they were originally made for, then were manufactured in 30-06 to meet our own needs during WWI.
If they have "funny" sights, chances are they still have the original military sights? The 1903 should have what many call a ladder sight: Shallow V notch when down, another V notch and peep, when the sight is upright.
Any competent gunsmith should be able to sort out what they are and what cartridge they're chambered in. If they were never drilled/tapped for scope mounts, they're likely still in 30-06.
I have a pair of US Remington M1903s: One sporterized, one in original (military) condition except for the stock having been modified. Both were made in June of 1942. Paid $400 for the one in mostly original condition and it was a bargain. Paid $225 for the sporter about 15 years ago, have seen similar ones go for upwards of $350 lately.
|
|
|
Post by zodiakgsps on Nov 10, 2008 18:06:32 GMT -4
Thanks for the info denny! Yes, they both have original sights on them, both have the flip-up "ladder" type sights. The only thing the gunsmith could see changed on them is the stocks being cut down some. Neither have been scoped. Going to pick up my new computer right now, will post pics soon.
|
|