What is my 1903A3 Remington sporter worth?

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Non sporterized 1903A3’s in original condition can and do sell for $800. Mildly sportorized 1903A3’s that can be returned to service condition can bring a fairly decent price as well, but yours was whole hog sporterized, there is no coming back from that. $400 tops, maybe a little different depending on where you are at.
 
It truly is a nice looking rifle, unfortunately, I agree that the value is likely between $400 and $500 tops. I have one in similar configuration and have nearly that in it. I finished it because my great uncle was the gunsmith who made the stock for it.
 
It can depend a lot on who made it and/or who owned it.

For example a sporterized 1903 made by JV Howe and owned by Elmer Keith sold for $17,250 about 5 years ago.

I've also seen some very nicely done custom '03s. One of the best I've seen was an '03A3 that had a classic stock inletted to the original action and barrel so well that it looked like the wood grew there. The action and barrel were parkerized, it was meant to be a working gun and it wasn't fancy by any means, but the workmanship was exceptional. It sold for $600 in 1991.

Otherwise, yes, $350-$400 is about it if it's in excellent condition and professionally done.
 
Wyatt Burp said:
Thanks, everyone. I can see now that the the sentimental price tag I put on it exceeds current $$ value so I’m keeping it.
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Good move! That's really a nice-looking gun. If it can kill a softball at 100 yards, I see no reason why a seasonal deer hunter, etc., wouldn't throw $500 on the table for a .30-06 that also looks good. But you can never go wrong keeping a gun if you aren't sure!
 
In my area, I'd think all those values listed above too high. That would probably be a $300 rifle in my area at best. Unless it's really high level custom work with a good after market barrel, most would rather have a modern commercially produced rifle for hunting. The Peters ammo would have some collectors value if all original factory loads, but I'm not sure what it would bring to collector.
 
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The receiver sight , I believe, is a Redfield model 80.
The 80 has a push-button release for the aperture slide & can be returned to zero easily.
It’s a nice sight.
Lack of scope mount holes takes that fine rifle down quite a lot in todays market.
Only strange old-school guys like me hunt with a peep sight.

Regards

Russ
 
In my area (southern Colorado) the rifle shown would probably bring no more than $300 or so, and that would require a mature buyer who appreciates a good quality hunting rifle with receiver sight.

For the past 25 years or so the major rifle manufacturers have produced entry-level versions of their fine bolt-action rifles with the features most wanted by today's hunters (scope mounts, composite stocks, etc). Nothing wrong with any of those, and they are probably more suitable for the purpose than a 1960's to 1970's sporterized Springfield or Mauser.

What you have is a very good deer-elk-antelope rifle for ranges out to 200 yards or so. It is also a very good example of why the remaining unaltered military surplus rifles have risen so much in value!

Any of the original 03-A3's or 1903's in my little collection would bring $800 or more from knowledgeable collectors, but they are all as-issued and VG to Exc condition.
 
Wyatt Burp said:
Thanks, everyone. I can see now that the the sentimental price tag I put on it exceeds current $$ value so I’m keeping it.
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Good move if you can use iron sight that is probably a great rifle with the right load. Keep it until you find someone in the family who would appreciate it. Do not try to use it as a trade in as the dealer will take you to the cleaners on it (I am guessing about $200 or less trade in value).
 
Never, never, never cut up a surplus rifle!

All of the price estimates here bear this out. You cannot know what a cheap military rifle may be worth in the future, but you do know that cutting it up foregoes all that value. I remember 03A3 Springfield drill rifles surplused out of a local ROTC for $10 in the mid-sixties. Most probably got sporterized, destroying half or more of their present value. Maybe it made sense back then, but for the past 40 years or more it is an atrocity, even if the owner keeps the cut up gun for his lifetime. Subsequent owners would sure like to have an un-cut original instead of a custom job, no matter how well done. Friends don't let friends drill and cut on milsurps.
 
Sears Roebuck full deluxe sporters

My take on the OP's situation? Keep it and enjoy it!

1903A3 original pics below sold by me some years ago for $990

British 303 deluxe sporter was (and still is) a $300 rifle, and came with 200 rounds of modern ammo.

The British sporter was a Sears & Roebuck 1962, full deluxe sporter that sold for $48.00 then (plus $2.50 S&H & tax). Note that the 30-06 Springfield full deluxe sporter sold for $68.88. The British sporter came with Williams peep, parkerized, cut and re-crowned barrel, ramp front sight, Fagen Monte Carlo stock, and a Williams quality leather sling & swivels.

For me at that tender young age, it was the best all around upstate New York (scopes no good...now or then in my opinion)deer gun that money could buy (at least my meager money) and a better "value" at $20.00 cheaper than the 03 sporter.

Gathered a bunch of white tails in those days....glad to still have it even though replaced by a Winchester 30-30 lever gun years later.

Probably could not get even $300 for it these days.
 

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While I agree that altering a mil surp will destroy value, I also feel that a person is entitled to do what they want to their own gun. My sporterized milsurps make ME happy. I don't owe the subsequent vultures that gather whenever a gun owner dies ANYTHING.

Just my .02
 
A sporter I have is invaluable to me with memories galore. When I pass, it will move on and I don't anticipate anyone will be spending much at all for it. Bottom line is that if you own it you reserve the right to alter it to fit your needs, desires,and or purposes. When 1903-A3's were available for $25.00 or less, where was the sin in altering it to fit your need? Some people altered their service rifle and retrofitted it for efficient field use. Some of the sporterizing jobs I have seen on milsurps are real works of art, but they were not altered with 'future value' in mind. I'd rather be in the field looking for deer with a nice sporter than I would an 03-A3 or a 91/30 anyway. These were alternatives to buying a commercial rifle, and in many cases ending up nicer than a commercial piece. I never bought a hunting rifle with expectations of making money...... hunters usually don't think much about that. Collectors, now that's a different animal. I can speak about the topic because I am both. .
 
ggibson511960 said:
All of the price estimates here bear this out. You cannot know what a cheap military rifle may be worth in the future
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The rifle has been in the family as long as I can remember but didn't have the sentimental value my dad's other guns have. It was one traded back and forth between him and his friends in the late 50s-early 60s when these guns were commonly sporterized. But don't feel bad. He also left me a 1941 Johnson that was all original but had a redone stock when he bought it for $175. I got a might more for it when I sold it. His favorite ones aren't going anywhere except to my son eventually.
 
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Lokks like a Bishop Monte Carlo stock? I bought my 1903 with that stock and a Newton Arms chrome barrel for $568 because of the barrel and I love it. I did put a quick mount and a vortex scope and its a great shooter. Wouldn't sell it now, it's too much fun to shoot. Make sure the end of the forend isn't touching the barrel. Have fun
 
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