Colt Trooper & other assorted goodies

[PDX1953]

So I passed on the long guns but picked up a 1913 H&R .32 Self Loading pistol in amazing condition, a BNIB Model 103 Hi Standard Sport King from approx. 1963, a 1915 Mauser HSc that's so beat I didn't take its picture and a Colt Trooper pre-MK series. When I pointed out a couple of small grey spots on the Colt's bluing (no pitted rust) I was able to knock $125 off the price. 360 miles round trip but I think I did OK. The guy bought about 150 guns from the estate of a guy who owned a hardware store for many years near Grass Valley, CA. He had an original Springfield 30-40 Krag & an 03A3 & they both looked to be in good condition for their age. A little dirty but they could be cleaned up nicely. The M-1 had all of the post-war upgrades so I passed although it was in great shape. If I'd have been able to get it for $500 I'd have bought it. The photos aren't that great & I just snapped them with my phone. The H&R is incredible for a 105 year old gun.

Sorry for the upside down photo - I even rotated & reattached it.

 

[PDX1953]

Check the serial number on the Springfield 1903. Rough guess is that anything above 800,0000 or higher should be good to go. The lower numbered Springfield receivers were made of carbon steel and their heat treatment was not all it should have been. These are referred to as "low number" Springfields. So if the serial number is less than 800,000 which they didn't reach until 1918 don't buy it. The latter 1903's made by Springfield had what they called a double heat treatment and are safe. Since you mention the Springfield was made in 1910 most likely a low numbered one. This info came from a NRA reprint so should be correct. Frank

I remember reading that a few years ago. My Dad bought a sporterized one in about '65 to go deer hunting with his friends. He never hunted with it again & when I was in my late teens my buddy & I would buy surplus ammo for a nickel - armor piercing rounds were 7 cents. My Nephew has it & when I read about the heat treating I verified that it's OK to shoot.

 

[les.b]

PDX:

I think you did really well!! Those are all great and fascinating firearms. Good to see the H&R did not have any breaks in the grips. They can be somewhat fragile. Nice looking Hi Standard and Colt as well.

Fixed your photo:

Best Regards, Les

 

[PDX1953]

PDX:

I think you did really well!! Those are all great and fascinating firearms. Good to see the H&R did not have any breaks in the grips. They can be somewhat fragile. Nice looking Hi Standard and Colt as well.

Fixed your photo:

Best Regards, Les

Thanks for fixing that - makes me more nuts than I already am.

Now I need to flip these or find someone who'll exchange labor and/or carpentry & wiring. I'm either going to buy a cargo trailer & turn it into a semi-stealth RV or have a small (14') toy hauler customized to my needs. I'm sick of the cold, wet Pacific Northwest Winters & want to travel for 5 - 7 months at a stretch. I don't have a collection of guns to sell off, I have a conglomeration. Until I got the H&R my oldest gun was a 1954 Polish built TT-33 in wonderful shape. I won't get rid of some of them but do I really need a 14-45 Para Ordnance Limited, a 14-45 Pro Custom and a 14.45 Black Ops? Then I have a Para 7.45 LDA & a 7.45 Davidson's Exclusive - one of 300 made.