US Military Firearms

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 03A3 W Bayonet
Author: Bob (---.columbus.rr.com)
Date:   10-21-03 18:06

Hi All:

Just got an 03A3 Remington SN 3990648; barrel dated 9-43; stock FJA and OG (Ogden); Excellent condition.

Also, M1905 bayonet, 16" blade w/ M3 scabbard. Bayonet is parkerized and never sharpened.

These were purchased in early '60's and then parked in a closet.

Question: does the barrel date jibe with the SN?

This is probably the best milsurp find I've ever made. $300.00 for all!

Bob
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 Re: 03A3 W Bayonet
Author: Rick the Librarian (---.dialup.foxinternet.com)
Date:   10-21-03 18:14

You got a heck of a deal! The 03A3 is from October, 1943, so the barrel is probably original. Is there an "RA" near the FJA? If not, it might be a Smith Corona stock.

What marks on the bayonet? If a WWII (1942-43) you've probably got $200 tied up in the bayonet. If a ca. 1906-1920 Springfield or Rock Island, with wooden grips, you got a decent deal on the bayonet and got the rifle for free!
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 Re: 03A3 W Bayonet
Author: Bob (---.columbus.rr.com)
Date:   10-21-03 19:01

Hi Rick:

1907 Date on the Bayonet; Wooden Grips; SN 237087; SA

Stock marks are hard to read; I'll have to do some gentle cleaning.

Thanks

Bob
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 Re: 03A3 W Bayonet
Author: Bob (---.columbus.rr.com)
Date:   10-21-03 19:34

Also:

Straight stock with two pins; no through bolts.

Bob
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 Re: 03A3 W Bayonet
Author: Rick the Librarian (---.dialup.foxinternet.com)
Date:   10-22-03 06:27

Congratulations! You made about an "average" price for the bayonet -- and got the rifle FREE! Correct pre-WWI bayonets are selling in the $200-300.00 range.

Go out and buy a lottery ticket immediately!

:)
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 Re: 03A3 W Bayonet
Author: Bob Snively (---.dialup.bltnin.ameritech.net)
Date:   10-26-03 15:19

Should the bayonet be parkerized with a 1907 date?
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 Re: 03A3 W Bayonet
Author: Bob (---.columbus.rr.com)
Date:   10-26-03 21:48

It is definately parkerized. I suppose that it was done during WWII or after.

Upon close inspection, I can't see any nicks or imperfections in the blade. There are some gouges in the wood on one side.

Thanks

Bob
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 According to Joe Poyer.....
Author: Bob Snively (---.dialup.bltnin.ameritech.net)
Date:   10-28-03 09:05

In his book "The M1903 Springfield Rifle And It's Variations", to be original your bayonet would have been polished steel. During WWI all earlier bayonets were to have been returned to the arsenals to be blued, and during WWII all bayonets were parkerized. Not having the original finish does not mean that it is not a fine old bayonet with a lot of value, but it does diminish the value from what it would have been.
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 Re: According to Joe Poyer.....
Author: Jim (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date:   10-28-03 16:26

On the other hand, in his otherwise escellent book on swedish mausers, Joe has a picture of a sniper model on the cover and in three places inside the book with the scope in the rings BACKWARDS! ;)
So whenever possible cite multiple sources.

Orignial Krag bayonets were certainly bright with blued scabbards FIW.
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 Re: According to Joe Poyer.....
Author: Rick the Librarian (---.dialup.foxinternet.com)
Date:   10-29-03 06:17

Unfortunately, I mistrust Mr. Poyer's book on '03s - I would double-check anything he says against other sources.
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 That may be true Rick...........
Author: Bob Snively (---.dialup.bltnin.ameritech.net)
Date:   10-29-03 10:40

But I would hope you would concede that Poyer isn't all wrong. However, just in case, according to Brophy, page 355, paragraph 5, "Until 1917, the model 1905 was blued, EXCEPT THAT THE BLADE WAS BRIGHT FROM ABOUT ONE-QUARTER INCH FORWARD OF THE GUARD TO THE TIP." That means that for a 1907 M1905 bayonet to be correct all but the first one-quarter inch of the blade would be bright.

As I stated to Bob, the bayonet still has a lot of value but it is not original because it is parkerized. Unless of course that Brophy is also wrong.
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 Re: According to Joe Poyer.....
Author: Bob (---.columbus.rr.com)
Date:   10-29-03 18:51

Thanks for the info guys. I'll enjoy having it in my collection no matter what the value is.

Regards
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 Re: That may be true Rick...........
Author: Rick the Librarian (---.dialup.foxinternet.com)
Date:   10-29-03 21:43

No, I would be the first to admit that his book has some use. It's just that it has enough wrong facts that I have to go in with my guard up when using it. I like the format and wish he'd take a while and so a lot of rewriting. There IS a need for a book like his.
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