BUBBA STRIKES AGAIN!

[jimmyj]

Hi:
To keep me from underfoot during "Cooking For Thanksgiving" I was told to go play by the "Boss".
I somehow found and wandered into a Gun Shop?
While "Taking Up Space" in the Gun Shop I looked over the used rifle rack.
I observed a really great condition Remington Mfg U.S.Model 1903. The rifle had a 1903A3 stamped floor plate but otherwise was in "As Issued" condition. Price tag was $450.00. Serial #3,---,---
Close inspection revealed the receiver top and the action bridge was drilled and tapped for scope rings!! Also the holes was rounded out and off center like a hand drill had been used to drill and tap.

How do the "Bubbas" get a hold of such nice weapons??

In the rack was a Winchester Mfg U.S. Model 1917 in "As Issued" condition with a price tag $600.00. I didn't inspect it closely but it was the nicer one I have ever seen.

 

[jlrhiner]

I've got an '03 that I need to put back into war clothes. Bubba took it and "sporterized" it. I guess he handmade the stock, because the wrist and LOP are sized for a caveman. (I'm 6'2" and I can't comfortably mount it.) I wonder if anyone sells all the stuff (and I do mean all) for the refit in a bag? The barrel, action, sights bolt, and magazine are all original, everything else is gone.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Unfortunately 30-40-50 years ago "Sporterization" was a very "in" thing and often touted as a way of obtaining an "inexpensive" hunting rifle.
I have an M1903 Mk I that was a victim of Bubba. Has a GI stock, sights and barrel but the action was blued, the bolt jeweled and the right side of the receiver drilled and tapped.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

I've got a 1903 that Bubba worked on as well... My dad got it and several other guns in a horse trade many years ago. The poor thing has been sporterized with a stock that looks like it was carved in someone's garage and it too has been drilled and tapped for a scope mount, with the holes off center. It has a ridiculous looking front sight on it, and there is a rather large notch in the bottom of the barrel where a "pillar" goes to fasten the barrel to the stock. I shot it a few times before I discovered the notch in the barrel, and it is actually pretty accurate, but now I'm afraid to shoot it. Unfortunately, since the receiver has been drilled, I don't see any point in trying to fix it up. Breaks my heart to see a fine rifle destroyed like this.

 

[45Wheelgun]

Every now and then, bubba gets it right...

 

[BOB THE PALINDROME]

I have a 1917 Remington that was sporterized and is now my primary deer rifle. I also have a 30/40 Kraig someone worked on that is now my Kraig Carbine for 1st Vol. Cav reenacting. I had the barrel cut down but left it 1/4" longer that the original so it will not be mistaken for the real deal later in life.

 

[ColColt]

You're from Vonore? I didn't think anyone was from Vonore. That's just down the road a piece from "Murville".

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I got one my dad bubbaized in the 50's with a stock I can't use as a lefty. Ugly roll over comb thing. I re bubbaized it with a nice sporter stock.

 

[n4zov]

In the late 50's and early 60's when the DCM was selling tens of thousands of M1903A3 rifles to NRA members, The American Rifleman has a whole spread on how to sporterize the rifles. The easiest conversion involved cutting the stock and upper handguard just in front of the lower barrel band and fitting a replacement front sight blade. Crude as it sounds these converted rifles often shot like crazy mainly because the conversion left the barrel free floating. I've seen many shoot 1" five shot groups shot at 100 yards with these rifles. The Rifleman also had instructions on fitting semi-inletted stocks, drilling and tapping, bluing and other sporterization steps that were beyond the ability of most shooters. That accounts for a lot of the rifles that show up occasionally these days in a bubberized condition.

 

[LVSteve]

While a few sporterised rifles are works of art, too often Bubba does things to old military rifles that beggar belief, let alone the insult to every fighting man that carried that weapon.

 

[bishopm14]

I'm not a fan of sporterized rifles in general, but that is how it was done back then. If the work is good, no problem. Not every single '03 or Model of 1917, etc, could be, or should have been, preserved in as-issued condition.
I often think it's pretty pompous of us to apply the standards of today to something done decades ago, if someone needed a less expensive way to get into hunting and mil-surps being a dime a dozen back then, cut away. Not my place to judge 'em. Many of the very G.I.'s who carried those rifles would probably look at us who obsess over collecting the same things nowdays as being a bit off. Course though, anyone chopping on an original nowdays ought to be flogged

Sounds kinda odd with the Winchester 1917, if a jacked up '03 is worth $450, surely an original Win 1917 oughtta be much more than six. Go figure. I know which I'd spend my bucks on.

 

[jimmyj]

Dave:
That is one beautiful rifle.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi, ColColt:
Been here almost a year. Still getting lost.

 

[45Wheelgun]

Dave:
That is one beautiful rifle.

Thanks Jimmy. I bought it last year at an OGCA show for $300 with the scope. I bought it from the guy who did the conversion. I thought I stole it. After the deal was done, with a twinkle in his eye, he smiled and said "You know, I only paid $25 for that rifle..." I think he felt he had taken advantage of me.

 

[roundgunner]

I must say I never thought of this family heirloom, lovingly sporterized, by my grandfather anything but wonderful. It shoots much better groups than I can. My dad and aunt tell me he took a first place win at Camp Perry 1000 yd in the 50s.

Ya know, I have the whole weekend off I think I will take this out and shoot it. Thanks Gramps.

PS Dave that is a beaut!

 

[LVSteve]

Sounds kinda odd with the Winchester 1917, if a jacked up '03 is worth $450, surely an original Win 1917 oughtta be much more than six. Go figure. I know which I'd spend my bucks on.

The Model of 1917 is a funny one to value. They do not have the same following as the 1903 in its various forms. This is probably because many folk do not like its looks or the fact is was derived from a British rifle, the P14. There is also the that fact that the sights on the 1917 are not Camp Perry friendly, but for combat I fell they are easier to use than the fancy sights on the original 1903. Funny that the 1903A3 went to a peep rear.

Whatever, a Winchester produced example ought to fetch more than a Remington or Eddystone. $600 is about what a very nice 1917 sells for in my experience. I got my mildly refinished example for a lot less with a bayonet and 1907 sling, but I got really lucky that day.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

I'd be happy with my '03 if it had turned out like 45wheelgun's or roundgunner's. Nice rifles guys

 

[feralmerril]

Here is my old bubbaised mauser.

 

[jimmyj]

WOW!!
Feralmerril:
That Mauser is just plain Awesome!
Does it shoot as well as it looks?

 

[feralmerril]

Jimmy, what little I have shot it, it does. Many years ago (like almost 40), a guy owed me a favor. He also was a gun nut. One day a common friend that I had met him through, came to my house with 3 fine rifles. I cant remember what the thrid gun was, but one was a old pre 64 winchester model 70 hornet. He said "mac" told me to have you take your pick for $50s!! It is a custom built .270 win with a weaver K-10. It has a cheek piece, must be a benchrest rifle or old heavy varmiter as it doesnt even have a safety on it. It has a finely steel checkered trap door butt plate and matching pistol grip cap. The custom gunsmiths name is on it, H.W. Creighton. I googled him and found he was a master gunsmith/custom builder of bench rifles many years ago back east. I really havent shot it much, and its been right after I got it. Sits in the darkest corner of the safe! Weighs a ton! It`s a mauser commercial supream action.
The seller almost got me killed many years ago by a branch of the hells angles called the "Hessians" out of costa mesa calif. It was a mirrical from God that I/we got out unharmed and I think he had felt guilty for putting me in that "situation".

 

[Kstoneking]

Thanks Jimmy. I bought it last year at an OGCA show for $300 with the scope. I bought it from the guy who did the conversion. I thought I stole it. After the deal was done, with a twinkle in his eye, he smiled and said "You know, I only paid $25 for that rifle..." I think he felt he had taken advantage of me.

We should all be so lucky and be "taken" like you were. That is one beautiful rifle sir.

Kenny

 

[jlrhiner]

Those arn't "bubbaized". Care, intelligence and a little talent was used in those conversions. We're talking about the "Here, hold my beer. I'm gonna fix thet old army rifle" kind of work.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Who would not love a good condition military non-sporterized 1903?

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Every now and then, bubba gets it right...

That's a beautiful piece of wood, I love the inlay and the grain is incredible. Wonderful weapon you have there.

 

[mtgianni]

Of my seven bolt action centerfires 5 started out in life with the Mauser actions. I would rather shoot a 19.99 80's era 4x32 Trashco scope than issue sights so I see why many were done especially when you could buy 3 more for less than the cost of a Gunsmith to drill and tap.
If I came upon a 56 Chevy in the late 60's it was getting the 235 six removed in favor of a v-8 and the tube type AM radio was coming out in favor of an 8 track. I don't or didn't see the old Mausers as any different. The original purchaser considered them as surplus and of little worth. They were easily replaceable if you did mess one up. That's just my 2 cents.

 

[LVSteve]

Who would not love a good condition military non-sporterized 1903?

If you have one spare just taking up space....

 

[srgvaz]

Every now and then, bubba gets it right...

That's a great example, but do you usually display scoped weapons in the front of you house like that? Are the people that live around you that cool? (had to ask )

 

[45Wheelgun]

That's a great example, but do you usually display scoped weapons in the front of you house like that? Are the people that live around you that cool? (had to ask )

Both of my favored outdoor photo locations are at the front of my house. The house faces south and the lighting is best there. We are on higher ground then what is to the south, so the rifle is actually pointed to the sky. (Note the angle of the yellow vehicle)

Yes, the neighbors (and local cops) are that cool. Living in a relatively small town (30k pop.) has it's advantages.

 

[Art Doc]

I went to an estate auction a couple years ago. Old guy left 105 guns. Mostly rifles and few shotguns and pistols. Half or more of them were rare and valuable like 1873 Winchesters and a Singer 1911 (500 made during WW II).

Every single one of the guns was butchered by home gunsmithing. I figure he spent his retirement years sawing and filing on his guns to avoid boredom. Some of the things he did to them defied description.

 

[srgvaz]

Both of my favored outdoor photo locations are at the front of my house. The house faces south and the lighting is best there. We are on higher ground then what is to the south, so the rifle is actually pointed to the sky. (Note the angle of the yellow vehicle)

Yes, the neighbors (and local cops) are that cool. Living in a relatively small town (30k pop.) has it's advantages.

Right on, but it didn't appear angled enough to be pointed at the sky given the slope on your driveway and the item under the blanket/table cloth. Small towns can be a country of their own sometimes and people can sure talk to each other (among other things). I suppose as long as you're not out every day it's all good. It be something new for me to see a guy playing with guns in his front yard (of a house) in a residential area.